What was Al-AndalusThe Iberian Peninsula was first taken by the Romans, then by the Visigoths that took down the Roman Empire. By 711 the Umayyads with the help of the North African Berbers invaded the region and took over. Spain became part of the Umayyad Caliphate. The Umayyads lost power to the Abbasid Caliphate. The Abbasid began to assassinate all Umayyad descendants. One escaped to the Iberian peninsula and established Al Andalusia as an emirate separate from the Abbasid. Al-Andalusia would become a cultural capital of Islam and and important region for the diffusion of culture and innovation to Europe in the 12th Century.
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Governing Techniques of Al Andalusia
Centralized RuleThe centralized ruler of the Al Andalusia was the caliph. The Al Andalusia caliphs were part of the Umayyad Dynasty, where the power is passed down to the next male relative. All members of the Umayyad Dynasty were Muslim. The emperor is protected by his military and guided by his bureaucracy of loyal administrators, who were in charge of collecting taxes from his subjects.
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Capital of CorodobaCordoba served as the capital of the Al Andalusia. The caliph lived in Cordoba and was protected by their large standing military. He rebuilt Córdoba, the capital city, to reflect his roots of the Umayyad capital of Damascus. This influence can be seen in the architecture of the Great Mosque of Córdoba as well as other buildings in the city. Under 'Abd al-Rahman III (reigned 912–61), who proclaimed himself caliph, al-Andalus grew into an empire with a diverse religious and ethnic population.
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Taxes and Stratified SocietySociety in Muslim Spain was very stratified. Arab Muslims were on top followed by North African converts called Berbers. Next on the pyramid were the Christian and Jewish converts called Muladis. Second to last were non Muslims that had to pay the Jyzya tax and the bottom were slaves.
This type of society led to distrust, prejudice and suspicion that continued once the Christians reconquered the area. |
Commerce and Agricultural Revolution in Muslim Spain
Diffusion of useful plants to Medieval Spain from the Islamic world, and the growth in Islamic scientific knowledge of agriculture and horticulture led to an agricultural revolution in Muslim Spain. These changes made agriculture far more productive, supporting population growth, urbanization, and increased stratification of society. Some of the plants that were brought to Islamic Spain included citrus fruits, cotton, sugar mango and rice. Arabs introduced books on agriculture and horticulture. They also spread irrigation technology like the noria (water wheel). The improvement in agriculture also resulted in knowledge being transmitted to Europe after the eleventh century helping to improve farming techniques, widening the variety of crops.
Initially al-Andalus would have exported wrought iron, glass, ceramics ( azulejo tiles) paper goods, woolen textiles. Cordoban leatherwork was highly prized as were the fine silks dyed in brilliant colors. These manufactured goods, together with metals found a market around the Mediterranean as well as within the peninsula itself. In return al-Andalus imported goods not easily accessible at home: e.g. gold and ivory from south of the Sahara. The gold –from the Upper Niger area, known then as Sudan– became the basis of exchange in Europe until the discovery of America.
Initially al-Andalus would have exported wrought iron, glass, ceramics ( azulejo tiles) paper goods, woolen textiles. Cordoban leatherwork was highly prized as were the fine silks dyed in brilliant colors. These manufactured goods, together with metals found a market around the Mediterranean as well as within the peninsula itself. In return al-Andalus imported goods not easily accessible at home: e.g. gold and ivory from south of the Sahara. The gold –from the Upper Niger area, known then as Sudan– became the basis of exchange in Europe until the discovery of America.
Cultural Impact of Islam on Spain
The initial Muslim innovation of the Iberian peninsula occurred in 711 CE. Three hundred years later 70% of the population had converted to Islam. One of the main reasons was the Islam, Christianity and Judaism had many common prophets, beliefs and cultural norms. By the 10th century, Christians and Jews were also veiling their women, speaking Arabic, not eating pork and enjoying Arabic music and poetry. There was a long period called the Convivencia were all people got along.
However, Jews and Christians were still subject to the Jizya tax while being treated as second class citizens. Eventually, relationships erroded. By 1000 CE, many churches were plundered. Devout Muslims avoided contact with Christians. Christian homes had to be built lower than Muslim homes. Christian priests were forbidden to carry the cross or the bible in public.
The intolerance, prejudice, and mutual suspicion continued as Christians reconquered the peninsula by 1492. Jews were expelled by the new King and Queen of Spain. Muslims were not allowed to convert others, go on pilgrimage or pray in public. However, the cultural exchange continued. Many Arabic texts were translated into Latin and many architectural styles also continued.
However, Jews and Christians were still subject to the Jizya tax while being treated as second class citizens. Eventually, relationships erroded. By 1000 CE, many churches were plundered. Devout Muslims avoided contact with Christians. Christian homes had to be built lower than Muslim homes. Christian priests were forbidden to carry the cross or the bible in public.
The intolerance, prejudice, and mutual suspicion continued as Christians reconquered the peninsula by 1492. Jews were expelled by the new King and Queen of Spain. Muslims were not allowed to convert others, go on pilgrimage or pray in public. However, the cultural exchange continued. Many Arabic texts were translated into Latin and many architectural styles also continued.