Apush Dbq The Spread Of Islam

The religion of Islam spread rapidly in the 7th century. Islam spread quickly because of the military. During this time, on numerous accounts there were military raids. Trade and conflict were also apparent between different empires, all of which resulted in the spreading of Islam.

According to document C, Mecca had been taken under Muslim rule between 622-632. Jerusalem, Cairo and Baghdad had been taken under Muslim rule between 632-661, and Saragossa had been taken under Muslim rule between 661-750. Through all of this, military campaigns were taking place. The campaigns were coming from Medina to Damascus to Constantinople, from Cairo to Tripoli to Kairouan, etc (C).

“In 632, following the death of Muhammad, the first Caliph was selected to lead the Muslim community. Over the next three centuries, the duties of the Caliphs

”The battle of al-Yarmouk was of the fiercest and bloodiest kind” (F). The Byzantines had a grand total of 200,000 men versus 24,000 Muslims. “By Allah 's help, some 70,000 of them (Byzantines) were put to death”(F). With the help of “Allah,” the “unbelievers” were defeated and the Muslims won. After this, a tax was placed on the Hims.

Some argue that trade was the main reason for the spreading of Islam because Mecca was at a crossroads of the lucrative caravan trade. Vast camel trains would come through bearing valuable items coming from all over (A). Although, trade was closely related to military in that military brought in the trade. Without military, trade may not have been as popular as it was. To conclude, military was the main reason for the spread of Islam. Between vast Muslim rule, The Pact, and the Muslims victory at the battle of Yarmouk, it is clear that the military set the pace for Islam’s rapid development and growth. In doing this Islam had overruled the majority of the middle east by