Reading Questions
Objective #1: Evaluate the impact of religious and political disputes on rivalries and conflicts between states from 1450-1750.
What was the dispute from Shiites and Sunni?
How was religion used by Ismael I to maintain and legitimize political authority?
How did Ismael use Islam similar to the Ottoman or Abbasid (continuities)?
What did Ismael and the Safavid do that could be considered intolerant?
What were the cultural and political effects of Islamel's policies?
What was the dispute from Shiites and Sunni?
How was religion used by Ismael I to maintain and legitimize political authority?
How did Ismael use Islam similar to the Ottoman or Abbasid (continuities)?
What did Ismael and the Safavid do that could be considered intolerant?
What were the cultural and political effects of Islamel's policies?
The Safavid Empire
After Tamerlane's empire fell the Middle East was broken up into nine regions. The Safavid empire, yet another Turkic group, would rise in the region between the Ottomans and the Mughal empires. The Safavids were Turks living in Persia who built a powerful gunpowder army & created a theocracy or rule by the clergy in modern-day Iran. Ismael I was the founder of the ruling dynasty of the empire. The centralized ruler of the empire was the Sha, who had control over the government and military. The Safavids also used Sharia Law to rule their state. To further consolidate power, Sha Ismael would forcefully convert the majority of the Sunni population to Shiia Islam. The Sunni Shiite split occurred many years before but Ismael would use the differences for his own gain.
Why did Ismael I persecute all except Shiia Muslims?Unlike the Ottomans or Mughals that were tolerant of other religions, the Safavid emperor wanted to to create religious conformity including cultural unity. Additionally, conversion was also part of recognition of Safavid legitimacy to rule.
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What methods did Ismael I use to convert people to Shiia Islam? One of the first things Ismael I did was destroy Sunni churches. Additionally he forced habitual cursing of the first 3 caliphs. Finally, he invited other Shiia Muslims to go to the Safavid Empire when being persecuted.
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Effects of forced conversion
Due to the extreme intolerance and conversion the Safavids became bitter rivals to the Ottoman empire causing various wars over ideology, land and control of the Silk Road. More significantly, the region became predominately Shiite. That can still be seen today.