Chapter 15 Section 2: The Rule of the Safavids

Chapter 15 Section 2: The Rule of the Safavids

Modern World History

​Big Questions

​What events led to the creation and growth of the Safavid dynasty?

​

​

​

​What cultural contributions were made by the Safavid dynasty?

​Rise of the Safavid Dynasty

​- Collapse of Timur Lenk empire in the early 15th century left power vacuum for the shattered nation - Sent empire into total anarchy: Chaos

​- Empire extended from Persia (Modern day Iran) into Central Asia

​- Beginning of 16th Century, Safavids took control

​- Safavids (Unlike Muslim neighbors) ardent Shiites Muslims

​- Safavid Dynasty founded by Shah Ismail son of Safi al-Din

​- Safi al-Din was in charge of the Turkish ethic groups in Azerbaijan near the Caspian Sea

​Light green is the Empire of Timur Lenk.

The city of Tabriz is the beginning of the Safavid Dynasty

​Rise of the Safavid Dynasty

​- Ismail used his forces to seize much of Iran and Iraq

​- Declared himself the Shah (king) of the new Persian state

​- Persistently sent muslim missionaries into the Ottoman Empire to convert to Shiite Islam

​- Ismail also ordered the massacre of Sunni Muslims when he conquered Baghdad in 1508

​- Ottoman Sultan Selim I became alarmed advanced against Ismail

​- Ottomans defeated a major battle near Tabriz but could not hold onto the region because of relentless attacks from Ismail soldiers

​- Safavids used the Shiite religion to unify Turkish people and Persian speaking citizens in Iraq and Iran

​- 1580s Ottomans attacked and took control of Azerbaijan and controlled the Caspian Sea

​- New Safavid Shah, Abbas signed a peace treaty with the Ottoman Empire and moved the capital of Safavids to Isfahan

Open Ended

What led to fighting between the Ottomans and the Safavids?

Multiple Choice

Leader of the Safavids who started the war with the Ottoman empire

• Shah Ismail

• Shah Safavid

• Shah Tabriz

• Shah Isfahan

​Glory and Decline

​- Under Shah Abbas: ruled from 1588 to 1629: Reached High point of glory

​- Similar system to the janissaries in the Ottoman empire: created ambassadors to run the kingdom

​- Abbas also strengthened his army and armed with newest technology weaponry

​- 17th century: Shah Abbas moved to regain territory lost to the Ottomans

​- European states supported Abbas move against the Ottomans

​- Initially they were winning against the Ottomans

​- Could not hold territorial gains against the Ottoman armies

​- 1612: Peace treaty was signed and Azerbaijan was returned the Safavids

​Glory and Decline

​- Death of Abbas in 1629 marked the dynasties gradual decline

​- Successors lacked his talent and political skills

​- Power of Shiite religious elements began to increase at court and in Safavid Society

​- Intellectual freedom marked the height of the empire

​- Pressure to conform to traditional religious beliefs (religious orthodoxy) increased

​- Persian women had considerable freedom during the early empire

​- Under strong Shiite rule, women were secluded and required to adopt the veil

​- Safavids were forced out of their homelands. Sank into social anarchy

Open Ended

How did the Safavid Empire reach its pinnacle under Shah Abbas? Why did it decline after his death?

Multiple Choice

The religious orthodoxy that came out of the fall of the Safavid dynasty led to which statement happening?

• Women, who had freedoms in the Safavid Empire, were given political power and offices to run the country

• Women, who had freedoms in the early Safavid Empire, were secluded and required to wear the veil

• Women, who had freedoms in the Safavid Empire, were given opportunities to be leaders in the Muslim Mosques

• Women, who had freedoms in the early Safavid Empire, gained more freedoms under Shiite rule

​Safavid Culture

​- Knowledge of science, medicine, and mathematics under the Safavids equal to other societies in the region

​- Extraordinary growing of the arts during the reign of Shah Abbas

​- Capital of Isfahan built by Shah Abbas displayed the power and might of the Safavid Empire

​- Lavish palace, beautiful mosques, greatly designed buildings

​- Silk weaving based on new techniques flourished

​- Weavings portrayed birds, animals and flowers

​- Carpet weaving flourished as well

​- Riza-i-Abbasi: Famous artist from the time period great paintings to this day

Open Ended

What subjects were portrayed in many works of art from the Safavid Era?

Open Ended

​What events led to the creation and growth of the Safavid dynasty?

Open Ended

​What cultural contributions were made by the Safavid dynasty?