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Rise & Fall
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In the year 711, Umayyad and Berger forces began the invasion of Spain. This event is incredibly important because it would begin the long period of "Al-Andalus" (Islamic control of Spain) -
Rise & Fall
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After incredible expansion on Western Europe by the Umayyad Dynasty, they were stopped at the Battle of Tours in southern France. In the end, Frankish leader Charles Martel was victorious. This event is incredibly important because it signifies the defeat of the Umayyad forces and demonstrates that other powers are capable of fighting back against Islamic forces. -
After the defeat in the Battle of Tours, aforementioned Frankish leader Charles Martel was determined to gain more control in France. He successfully retook the French cities of Avignon, Aries, and Provence in the year 737. This event is important because it exhibits the steady pushback the Islamic forces were receiving and would continue to receive. -
After being defeated twice by Frankish leader Charles Martel, Islamic forces were permanently removed from southern France. This is important because it's one of the first cases of native Europeans fighting back and winning against the Islamic forces; gradually exhibiting the weaknesses of Islamic forces. -
Rise & Fall
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In 755, Prince Abd Al-Rahman comes to the weakened Al-Andalus. This is important because it's the lead-up to Al-Rahman's conquering of Al-Andalus. -
In 756, Abd Al-Rahman defeated everyone in Al-Andalus and established an independent emirate, making him an emir. This is an incredibly important period in time because he would go on to rule from the city of Cordoba, later commissioning the Mosque of Cordoba. His descendants would go on to rule over Al-Andalus. -
In 762, the infamous capital of the Abbasid Caliphate is constructed. Caliph Abu Al-Abbas pictured Baghdad as a wonderful, prosperous city. This event is extremely important because it signifies the beginning of an incredibly powerful dynasty, with Baghdad allowing the dynasty to flourish. -
Harun Al-Rashid was one of the most successful rulers during the Abbasid Caliphate. He made peace with the powerful Frankish leader, Charlemagne; gifting him presents and embassies. Through Charlemagne he was able to keep the Abbasid Caliphate connected with the "outside world." The ruling of Harun Al-Rashid is important because he was an incredibly influential leader, and without him, the Abbasid Caliphate suffered.
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The Caliphate of Cordoba is the Golden Age of Al-Andalus. Cordoba would go on to become the largest city of its time. Poetry, writing, arts, culture, and more flourished in Cordoba. Along with this, there was an increased sense of tolerance. This is an important time period in the history of Al-Andalus because it was, arguably, the best time period.
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In 1055, the Seljuk Turks conquered the capital city of Baghdad. This is important because the city of Baghdad was incredibly vital to the Abbasid Caliphate, and without it, trade would be diminished.