ASIA SHIFTS FORMS21.3 | The Islamification of Central Asia and Oceanic Power Shifts

THE SPREAD OF ISLAM• When the Mongols converted to Islam, their massive

(and open) empire spread the religion across its great expanse• Pax Mongolica• Western China today (Uyghur population) • Halted by Mongolian and Tibetan adoption of

Buddhism• The Safavid Empire rooted it deeply in central Asia • The Mughal Empire established a lasting Islamic

presence• Pakistan v. India (was once all India)

• To the East Indies (Indonesia today)

SHIA ISLAM SURROUNDED• The regions of Azerbaijan and Iran were the only

major regions to convert to Shia Islam• Sunni Islam came to surround these regions

• Chagatai Empire

CONSEQUENCES OF THE RIFT• With so much in common, the Central Asian Islamic

states could have done very well in the long run• However deep religious division proved stronger than

their bonds• Sunni-Shia competition led to Safavid militancy, which

led to Sunni militancy• Islam made alliances with non-Muslim states

• Ottomans and Protestants against Catholic Habsburgs• Religion became the focal point of conflict and

militancy • Islamic states turned inward and became increasingly

fundamental

POWER SHIFTS IN THE SOUTHERN OCEANTrade, the harbinger of change

WHAT COMES WITH TRADE?1. You get introduced to new people from new places2. You get to learn about what life is like there

1. Communication2. Seeing their goods

3. You get new goods4. You learn about new ideas

1. Culture and customs2. Food and cuisine 3. Styles of government4. Religion

5. You begin to think, then act, then look more like those who you trade with

INDIAN OCEAN TRADE• First large-scale traders were Hindu• They were displaced and replaced by Muslims

• Adoption and assimilation over time• Islam in Indonesia a result of trade networks

• They were superseded by Europeans • They displaced Muslims and locals by force, terror, and

exploitation