The Crusades &
the Spread of Islam
Unit Overview
(see below for unit questions)
Islam, one of the world’s major religions, was founded by the prophet Mohammad in Arabia in the seventh century A.D. A series of visions inspired Muhammad to speak on behalf of Allah, or God.
In Islam, the prevalent statement of faith is “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger”. Allah’s will, as preached by Muhammad, is through sacred scriptures called the Qur’an (Koran). The followers of Muhammad are called Muslims.
Islam spread from the Arabian Peninsula to other parts of the world, often through warfare. Islam’s rapid spread in the eleventh century led to a series of wars known as the Crusades (a.k.a. the Frankish invasions). These wars between Christians and Muslims centered around the city of Jerusalem, and lasted for nearly 200 years.
The contributions of Islamic culture can be seen throughout the world. Muslim scholars once saved the ideas of classical Greek and Roman thinkers. Muslim scientists have made many important discoveries, and Muslim artists and writers have created great works of art, architecture, and literature.
Unit Questions
Lesson 1
1. Who was Muhammed?
2. Identify the Five Pillars of Islam.
3. What is the name of the type of building in which Muslims pray? What about those who follow Christianity and Judaism?
Lesson 2
1. When was Muhammad born?
2. What were the main points of Muhammad’s message?
3. Why did Muhammad leave Mecca?
4. How is the Hegira remembered in the Muslim world?
Lesson 3
1. What are some of the religious practices of Islam?
2. What is the Koran? What are its equivalents in Christianity and Judaism?
3. Who were the caliphs?
4. How did Islam spread throughout the Middle East, Europe, Asia? How is this similar to the spread of Christianity that we learned about in the Middle Ages unit?
Lesson 4
1. In A.D. 750, the center of Islamic government moved from Damascus to what city?
2. In addition to material goods, what did Muslim traders bring back with them?
3. Who was Ibn Sina?
4. Who were the Seljuk Turks and what did they do?
Lesson 5
1. Why did Pope Urban II call for war against Muslims?
2. Who were Richard the Lionhearted and Saladin?
3. Did the Crusades succeed in freeing the Holy Land from Muslim rule?
4. How did the contact of crusaders with Muslim society change European ideas about Islam?
5. What did the Ottoman Turks accomplish in A.D. 1453?
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