Geography of the Middle East
What desert is the largest in the world and influenced trade and travel across North Africa?
The Sahara Desert
Who is the founder of Islam?
Muhammed
What is a caliph?
A political and religious leader of the Muslim community after Muhammad's death
What was the main trade route connecting North and West Africa?
The Trans-Saharan Trade Route
Name one cultural achievement of the Tang or Song dynasty.
Poetry, painting, or porcelain production
What two rivers supported agriculture and early civilization in Mesopotamia?
The Tigris and Euphrates River
What city do Muslims face when they pray?
Mecca
What empire used gunpowder and ruled large parts of the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa?
The Ottoman Empire
What animal helped make desert trade possible?
The camel
What invention from this era greatly changed communication?
Woodblock printing or moveable type printing
How did the location of the Middle East contribute to its role in trade and cultural diffusion?
It was at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe, connecting major trade routes.
Name three of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Shahada (faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity) — also: Sawm (fasting), Hajj (pilgrimage)
Name one example of religious tolerance in the Islamic Caliphates.
Non-Muslims were allowed to practice their religion if they paid a tax (jizya).
Who was the wealthy king of Mali who took a famous pilgrimage to Mecca?
Mansa musa
What economic system involving landowners and peasants was common during this time?
Feudalism or a landlord-peasant system
Which geographic barrier helped protect the Arabian Peninsula from invasions?
The Arabian Desert
What event marks the split between Sunni and Shia Muslims?
The disagreement over who should succeed Muhammad as caliph
What was the role of the Central Diwans in the Caliphates?
They were government departments that helped manage finances, military, and administration.
Why was Timbuktu significant in the Mali Empire?
It was a major center of trade, learning, and Islamic culture.
How did the Tang and Song governments help support education and civil service?
They used civil service exams based on Confucian teachings to hire officials.
Explain how access to the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean helped shape Middle Eastern empires.
It allowed for trade, naval power, and cultural exchange between regions.
What is the significance of the Quran in the daily lives of Muslims?
It is the holy book that guides all aspects of life, including moral, social, and legal conduct.
How did the Safavid and Mughal Empires shape the cultures of Persia and India?
They blended Islamic traditions with local cultures through architecture, language, and religious tolerance (especially in the Mughal Empire).
How did Ibn Battuta’s travels show the connectedness of the Islamic world?
He was able to travel across vast Islamic territories, finding common language (Arabic) and religion, showing a unified cultural network.
Explain why the Tang and Song Dynasties are considered Golden Ages.
They saw major advances in technology, trade, culture, and government stability.