Between 1500-1800 C.E. Sub-Saharan Africa experienced changes and continuity as they began to go further with their foreign relations. Culturally, Africa began to form syncretic cults that had Christian teachings and African traditions. Slavery continued to be one of Africa's main way of showing economic wealth. Africa experienced growth and change in their political organization and the rise and fall of kingdoms and states Before the syncretic cults, Africa's old traditions and beliefs surrounded deities, idols, and multiple gods.
An additional document from the perspective of an African or Asian merchant would be useful, as the documents given only showed perceptions from Europeans or Muslims. Muslim traders and merchants left a much greater cultural impact than Europeans did, as evidenced by the following documents. Islam certainly had a great reach across the eastern and western hemispheres, which helped facilitate its ideas. Documents 4, 7, and 10 all exemplify the far-reaching pathway Islam had to other parts of the world, via the world trade network. Document 4 shows how Northern and Central Africa were connected, with part of the connection stemming from the Middle East, a prominent area of Muslims.
In addition, religion formed strong spiritual bonds among the people as well (Craig 297). Political leadership also played part in the unification of the Islamic peoples, and played part in the government system over Islamic territory and conquered territories, setting up political ideals such as “little bloodshed destruction, or disruption in conquest; adoption of existing administrative systems with minimal changes…appointment of capable governors (Craig 298). Political administration within the Islamic empire played a major part in keeping peace and prosperity in the growing empire, thus making it a significant factor in the expansion of the Islamic empire from
The Sufis so happened to be the most active missionaries. The tolerance of other beliefs allowed for all this to spread within the Islamic, there was a simple of message that was given stating what there was to do and what not to do. The role of Dar al-Islam appealed to the poor due to charity focus and inclusion as spiritual equals. It was not only a universal civilization unlike others, but the merchants were a huge influence over the trade routes that were allowing Islam to spread throughout the region of Sub-Saharan Africa. There wasn’t just the rise and role of Dar al-Islam but there was also the Islamic Political Structure, where after Mohammed the disagreement over succession lead up to the split of the Shia and Sunni.
However, most people looked badly upon religions outside of their own. One of the most close-minded settlements in America was New England, this was both a good and a bad thing as it brought the settlers closer together, but also pushed outsiders away. The Middle Colonies accepted many more churches, as there was a greater amount of ethnic and religious diversity. This shows the importance of religion by highlighting how it brought people with common religions together to form colonies and gave incentive to people who lived in England to immigrate to America for more religious freedom than they previously had. Colonists were provided with even more reason to practice their religion and continue their work in America for a better, more liberated life.
Between 1492 and 1750, Europe was in the process of becoming more centralized, as their monarchy became stronger. Voyages to the new world began to take place and have an impact upon European society. However, these expeditions did not impact the Native Americans very well since they were enslaved and forced to give up their territory. However, these new expeditions took place in other places than America as well. Voyages were sent along the West African coast and helped make a stronger economy for Europe due to more trading opportunities with Africa.
Islam and Christianity Sub-Saharan Africa North Africa was the epicenter for the spread of Christianity and Islam on the African continent. The people of North Africa, by force, free will, or trade networks, came to accept and disseminate each religion to the masses. Although Christianity and Islam spread equally through Egypt, Nubia, and to the Western areas around Numidia, it is apparent that Islam had a far greater and lasting impact than Christianity. Christianity came to North Africa by way of missionaries to Egypt early in the first century. It is believed that these Christian missionaries came to Alexandria to spread the gospel among the Jewish community.
Sub-Saharan Africa had much longer exposure to Islamic culture influences than to European cultural influences. Scholars and merchants learned to use the Arabic language to communicate with visiting North Africans and to read the Quran. Islamic beliefs and practices as well as Islamic legal and administrative systems were prominent in African trading cities on the southern edge of the Saharan and on the Swahili coast. During the three and a half centuries of contact between Europe and Africa before 1800, Africans yielded minimal territory to Europeans. Local African kings scrutinized the European trading posts that they permitted along the Gold and Slave Coasts and collected profitable rents and fees from these traders and merchants.
The Duties of the Caliphs were well organized and up front which Helped Islam become strong and well established (Doc E). The duties of these leaders were to define the meaning of faith, serve as a judge, guard the lands of Islam, and to wage war on anyone who misjudged the faith or did not believe. Many people who had been under control from the Byzantines and Persians saw this as a new way out and took it, After the battle at al-Yarmuk the Byzantine followers decided that they liked the Islam rule better than their own and decided to switch religions because of this new political
When Mongols captured Baghdad and killed the last Abbasid caliphate, the Middle East broke into many states, although it was reunited but only partly. The Abbasid Empire’s Mathematics and Science was kept in the Islamic world, since under the Abbasids Arabic numerals became widespread. When Islam reached Africa during the 1300s and 1400s, most were Christians, although as time passed by most of the population decided to change Christianity and convert to Islam instead. One of the reasons of that was because Muslims weren’t taxing them like they used to get taxed before, and they liked that change. Muslims also adapted many ways like Indian styles into their religion and culture.