6. Al Andalus2nd ESO

Maira Gil Camarón

How did Islam Expand?The expansion of Islam

(622-846)When Muhammad died, most of the Arabian Peninsula had converted into Islam

7th century: the Muslims faced the Byzantine empire and conquered Syria, Egypt and part of the Persian Empire

8th century: the Muslims reached the Indus River and North Africa (Berber tribes). They conquered the Iberian Peninsula

9th century: they expanded towards Nubia and south and central Italy

The organisation of the Caliphate Muhammad The first four caliphs were chosen from

Muhammad’s family. This created a divide between the Muslims Shi’a – They believed the caliph should be a direct

descendent of Muhammad Sunni – They thought the caliph should be chosen from

the most devout believers Umayyad dynasty. Capital city: Damascus. They led

a great expansion, conquering the Iberian Peninsula Abbasid dynasty. Capital city: Baghdad. Some

provinces separated themselves from the central power

Turks.

Cultural and economic splendourArabic: official language of the Islamic empireOther religions were tolerated but Muslims favoured the Islamisation of most of the population to avoid paying taxesNew cities emerged and became religious, political economic and cultural centresSchools, libraries and centres for translators (Toledo) were created great knowledge of the ancient world was preserved and developed

The establishment of Al-AndalusMilitary conquest

At the beginning of the 8th century, the Muslims conquered the Iberian Peninsula due to the weakness of the Visitoghic KingdomThe majority of the conquerors were North African called Berbers, led by an Arab minority. They were managed by Tariq and MuzaThey crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and defeated the Visigoths in the Battle of Guadalete (711), in which king Roderick diedBy 718, the invading armies controlled most of the Peninsula. A few Visigoths and very small part of the general population fled to the areas of Cantabria and Asturias, which were not conquered by the Muslims

The dependent Emirate (718-756)After the conquest, Al-Andalus became a province (or dependent emirate) of the Umayyad Caliphate of DamascusThe capital was established in Córdoba and an emir was appointed to rule the emirate. His power in territories north of the Sistema Central was scarce and limited to the maintenance of some military garrisonsThe independent Emirate (756-929)When the Abbsids of Baghdad killed the last Umayyad caliph, the only survivor of the Umayyad, prince Abd al-Rahman I, took refuge in al-Andalus. He broke away from the Baghdad Caliphate and, in 756, he declared himself an independent emir founded the Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba politically independent, but it remained under the religious authority of the caliphThe Independent Emirate experienced a period of economic and cultural development

Evolution of Al-Andalus 929-1492The Caliphate of Córdoba

929-103110th century: the Emirate faced numerous problemsThe emir Abd al-Rahman III was powerful enough to declare religious independence and proclaim himself caliph of al-Andalus. He had absolute power in a territory independent from the authority of BaghdadThe Caliphate of Córdoba was formed and a golden age began. There was stability within al-Andalus, economic development and cultural prosperity

The Golden Age of the Caliphate of CórdobaThe caliphs put a stop to the expansion of the Christian kingdom and were able to dominate them militarily thanks to successful military expeditions organised by Al-MansurIt was a time of economic prosperity due to the role played by al-Andalus as an intermediary in trade between the Middle East, North Africa and Christian EuropeWealth generated by taxes on agricultural production and commercial traffic allowed them to maintain both a large bureaucracy and army

From the year 1008, the Caliphate of Córdoba was no longer unified. Top civil servants, aristocrats and the army fought for power and al-Andalus was divided into 25 independent kingdoms, called TaifasTo avoid the Christian advance, new Muslim armies arrived from North Africa (Almoravids in 11th century and Almohads in the 12th century) and settled in al-Andalus. They temporarily stopped the Christian advance, but almost all of the Taifas were conquered by the Christian kingdoms in the 13th century

The Nasrid Kingdom of Granada 1248-1492The Taifa of Granada was the only Taifa to survive. It included Almería, Granada, Málaga and part of Cádiz.The extensive wealth and economic activity of the Taifa allowed it to pay taxes to the Christian kings. This ensured its survival until 1492, when the last king, Boabdil surrendered to the Catholic Monarchs

Economy and society

Architecture in Al-Andalus