The Early Rise of Islam
Islam was so successful in spreading across the Afro-Eurasian continent because of a number of factors. The people generally accepted the faith without being forced to convert, unlike the Christian or Jewish missionaries. Influential civilisations, such as Egypt, Persia and the Ottomans, built their foundations on Islamic principals, hence strong leaders were able to lead powerful armies in the name of spreading the faith. Trade and travel routes running through the heart of Islamic territory allowed Islamic civilisations to grow strong and prosper, financing the Islamic cultural and military machines. Trade and travel also allowed Islamic influence and ideas to flow between Asia in the east and Africa in the south and west. Success in war, conquest, trade and diplomacy allowed Islam to spread and prevail in the Afro-Eurasian world.Why was Islam so successful in spreading throughout the Afro-Eurasian continent?Two main points arise when questioning why Islam was so successful in its spread across the Afro-Eurasian continent. How and why did Islam arise in an area so scarcely populated? And, how did the people of this harsh, arid land enforce their faith on most of the Afro-Eurasian world? There are many factors
By the eighth century the Arab state had defeated areas as far as Spain in the west, Central Asia to the north and Northern India in the East. Increased trade and contact with Asia had unleashed the Black Death into Europe, killing almost a third of the population. Mohammed overthrew the ruling Jewish elite, took away Jewish land and erected the first Muslim mosque; establishing the first Islamic state. In the late 1400's, the Ottomans built a powerful naval fleet which they used to defeat the Venetians and parts of Greece, as well as controlling the waters around their mighty empire. During the Middle Ages, Christianity was spreading throughout Europe and Northern Africa. Pledging their allegiance to the Byzantine Emperor they recaptured Nicaea (1097), Antioch (1098) and Jerusalem (1099). The Ottomans steadily moved westward taking over Anatolia and Byzantium. After the Mongols withdrew from Anatolia, the Byzantines were too weak to take advantage of the power vacuum left behind. Although the Arab Empire suffered many rebellions and civil wars, a civilisation had been firmly established and its foundations secured in Islam. Conversion was possible because such areas were ruled by kings or powerful leaders who could enforce change among the people of their kingdoms. The Ottomans expanded not only their territory, but more importantly played a major role in spreading their Islamic influence. Mohammed also spoke out against the traditional Arab paganism, denouncing polytheism and idolatry. Pope Urban II, encouraged everyone from Kings to peasants to 'Rise up and remember the manly deeds of your ancestors.
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