What Happened to the Islamic Empire?

What key factor allowed Muhammad to unite the Arabian Peninsula?

• Trade Agreements

• Religious formation of Islam

• Military Conquest

• Tribal diplomacy

After Muhammad's death, who became the first caliph?

• Abbasid ruler

• Umayyad leader

• Abu Bakr

• Ali

Which empires did Muhammad's followers initially conquer?

• Byzantine Empire and Persian Empire

• Inca Empire and Aztec Empire
• Mongol Empire and Ottoman Empire
• Roman Empire and Gupta Empire

How did the Umayyads manage their vast, diverse empire?

• Replacing local rulers entirely

• Allowing local customs and religious preferences

• Complete cultural suppression

• Forcing Arabic as the only Language

What strategic language policy did the Umayyads start?

• Ended writing systems

• Used Arabic for administrative purposes

• Forced translation of all documents

• Banned all local languages

Why did the Abbasid family overthrow the Umayyad caliphate?

• Religious differences

• Pure military conquest

• Economic reasons

• Questioning if the Umayyad's had a right to rule (legitimacy)

What made Baghdad a unique capital during the Abbasid period?

• Cultural exchange and knowledge mixing

• Military strength

• Isolation from other civilizations

• Strict religious control

What was a major weakness in the Islamic Empire's leadership succession?

• Fixed inheritance rules

• No male heirs

• External (outside) interference

• Multiple male relatives could claim power

How did the Mongol invasion in 1258 CE impact Baghdad?

• Complete destruction of the city

• Minimal (very little) damage

• Negotiated surrender

• Peaceful transition

What ultimately led to the decline of the united Islamic Empire?

• Economic collapse

• External invasions

• Religious conflicts

• Growing power of local leaders