Al Andalus

Question 1

Expansion of Islam

Answer 1

• The expansion was based on a strong army
• 7th century: Conquered Syria, Egypt and Persian Empire
• 8th century: -Arrived to Indus river (India)
  - They tried to conquer Constantinople twice (they couldn’t)
  - Conquest of the Iberian Peninsula (771-718)
• 9th century: conquered parts of Italy (Palermo)

Organization of Caliphate->

Question 2

Organization of Caliphate 1

Answer 2

1-First caliphs were chosen between Muhammad’s family. But this provoked a division:

Shia: Caliph should be descendent of Muhammad
Sunnis Caliph should be chosen among believers

Question 3

Organization of Caliphate 2

Answer 3

2-Ummayad (Shia) ruled the Caliphate until 750, with capital in Damascus

Question 4

Organization of Caliphate 3

Answer 4

3-Abbasid (Sunnis) took over the Caliphate (750-1258) and put the capital in Baghdad. During this time, a lot of territories became independent

Question 5

Organization of Caliphate 4

Answer 5

4- The Turks ruled the Caliphate since they conquered Constantinople in 1453

Question 6

The establishment of Al-Andalus

Answer 6

-8th Visigothic Monarchy was in crisis:
+Economic problems
+Rivalries for the throne
-When king Wittiza died, there was a civil war between the supporters of his son Achila and those who wanted an elected king, Poderic

Military conquest, Integration of Al Andalus, Links with caliphate

Question 7

Military conquest

Answer 7

• 711 Muslim army arrived to the Iberian Peninsula and beat the Visigoths in the battle of Guadalete, when king Roderic died
• Muslims conquered the whole Iberian peninsula very easy, without resistance
• Only the Cantabrian mountains resistant and they were conquered

Question 8

Integration of Al Andalus

Answer 8

• Visigoths signed pacts to maintain their privilege
• If people converted to Islam and spoke Arabic they were called MULADI
• Those who didn’t convert and remained Christian where MOZARABES

Question 9

Links with Caliphate

Answer 9

-The territory of a Al Andalus changed in 800years because of 2 reasons:

1) The territory diminished as a result of Christian conquests
2) Rivalries between groups in Al Andalus and Caliphate

Question 10

Dependent Emirate

Answer 10

718-756

-In 718 Al Andalus was an emirate (province) of the Ummayad Caliphate of Damascus

-Capital of Emirate: Córdoba
Ruler: Emir

Question 11

Independent Emirate

Answer 11

756-929

• Ummayada were beaten by Abbasids and the last prince ,Abbderraman, came to Al Andalus in 756
• Abbderraman declared himself Emir of Cordoba and broke relationships with Caliphate of Baghdad. BUT religious authority of the Caliphate still remained

Question 12

Evolution of Al Andalus

Answer 12

1-Caliphate of Córdoba

2-Taifa Kingdoms

3-The Nasrid Kingdom of Granada

Question 13

Caliphate of Córdoba

Answer 13

929-1031
-10th Century CRISIS: 
          \+Internal rebellions
          \+Attacks of Christians
          \+less trade
-929 Abd-al-Rahman III proclaimed himself as caliph -> Caliphate of Córdoba

Question 14

Taifa kingdoms

Answer 14

1031-1248
-The continuous crisis provoked that the Caliphate of Córdoba broke in more than 25 kingdoms called “TAIFAS”

• Period of esplendor and prosperity BUT weaker military
• To stop advance, they asked for help to Almoravids and Almohads that only stopped them for a moment

Question 15

The Nasrid Kingdom of Granada

Answer 15

1298-1492
-The last Taifa that survived the Christian advance, Granada, was an important city of these times

-They payed taxes to christians to avoid invassion until 1492 when the last king, Boasbil, surrendered

Question 16

Muhammad died in…

Answer 16

632