 Muhammad was a religious & political leader. He had no son to fill in for him after he died. After his death, his father in law, Abu Bakr, a wealthy merchant, became caliph  Islamic movement grew under Abu’s rule. In 636 Arabs defeated Byzantine army in a dust storm at Yarmuk. 4yrs later they took control of Syria. Egypt and northern Africa was added to Arab empire by 642  After Abu's death in 656 Ali, Muhammad's brother in law, became caliph. He was assassinated 5yrs after ruling.

 General Mu’awiyah- known for outstanding virtue: only used force when necessary. He established the Umayyad dynasty.

 Arab armies- conquered and converted Berbers. (pastoral people living along the Mediterranean coast of northern Africa)         710- Berbers and Arabs combined forces, and crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and occupied southern Spain 725- most Spain became Muslim 732- Arab forces defeated at the battle of Tours in Gaul (now France) 717- Muslim force launched attack Non-Arab background- Persians, Byzantines Hussein- 2 nd son of Ali & son in law of Muhammad. Led important revolt that took place in present day Iraq early in the Umayyad period.

Shiite Muslims- accepted only the decedents of Ali as the true ruler of Islam. Sunni Muslims didn’t agree with Umayyad rule but accepted

 In 762, the Abbasid built a new capital city at Baghdad, on the Tigris River, far to the east  In 750, Abu al-Abbas, a descendant of Muhammad’s uncle overthrew the Umayyad dynasty & set up the Abbasid dynasty, which lasted until 1258  The Abbasid dynasty experienced a period of splendid rule

 Seljuk Turks- nomadic people from central Asia that had converted to Islam and prospered as soldiers for the Abbasid caliphate  1055- Turkish leader captured Baghdad and took command of the empire  His title was sultan, or holder of power  1071- Byzantines foolishly challenged the Turks and the Turks took over most of the Anatolian Peninsula

 The Christian states and the Islamic world feared and disliked each other, many Europeans agreed beginning a series of crusades.  1169- Saladin, a new Muslim ruler took control over Egypt and made himself sultan, thus ending the Christian states in the area.  1187, Saladin’s army invaded the kingdom of Jerusalem and destroyed the Christian forces there.