Safavid EmpireSWBAT: identify the differences between Shia and Shiite Muslims.

Homework: finish rough drafts due tomorrow. BRING IN 3 COPIES. You must have between 2-3 pages completed.

Do Now: back during the Reformation chapter, we discussed how many different sects of Christianity were created after Martin Luther broke away from the Catholic Church. Why were different sects created?

Where was the Safavid Empire??

Much of what the Safavid Empire is current day Iran.

The Early Empire

Was established by Safi od-Din around 1200 CE

Were Sunni Muslims.

In 1400, they shifted from Sunni to Shia. Were persecuted by the Sunni

War broke out between the Safavid kizibash (soldiers) and other Persian groups.

The Rise of Esma il

Toward the end of the 1400s, the Safavids developed a military group to fight for political power.

This army was called the kizilbash, meaning "Red Heads“

In about 1500 Esma'il became head of the kizilbash.

In a series of victories, he brought all of modern Iran and part of present-day Iraq under his rule.

Took the Persian title of shah, or "king of kings," and reigned until 1524.

Rule of Esma il

Proclaimed that Shi’ah would be the religion of his empire

Problem: Most of the Persians he conquered were Sunni.

Solution: Many considered Esma il a Muslim saint which

helped the conversion process.

Result: Provided a strong identity separate from that of

their Sunni neighbors (Turks and Arabs).

End of Esma il

Threat of Shi’ah Islam worried Ottoman Sunni Muslims.

Ottoman Empire invaded and defeated the Safavid Empire at the Battle of Caldrian.

Esma il’s son Tahmasp tried to take back territory, but was unsuccessful.

Shah Abbas the Great

When Tahmasp died, Shah Abbas “the Great” becomes king.

Realized military reforms would be necessary using the Ottomans as a model

Created troops of foreign slaves who were previously POWs.

Converted to Islam first and trained soldiers. Were the shah’s personal army loyal only to him.

By 1598 he reclaimed all the lands taken by the Ottoman Empire.

End of an Empire

Abbas died in 1629.

Rulers that followed were not as strong and slowly the empire declined.

Officially ended in 1736 and the empire split into a number of small states.

But what’s the big deal with Sunni and Shia Muslims?

Sunni and Shia are sects of Islam like Lutherans and Methodists are sects of Christianity.

Sunni Muslims = 90% of Muslim population

Shia = 10%

These two groups have been at odds for over a millennia.

But why??

Stop! It’s activity time!

Read the article, fill in the ven diagram.

Be prepared to go over this with 5 minutes left to class.