History 3510 History of Islam from the 7th Century to the fall of Constantinople. Final Exam
Follow Instructions Carefully.
Choose 3 essay topics from the list below.
Each question should serve as a short and self-contained essay. That means it needs a clear thesis statement, well-chosen supporting evidence, and a coherent, logical, and adequately defended position. Include a list of references used with each essay. Each essay should be around 500-800 words long [about 2-3 pages].
Answer 3 questions only
- What were the economic and political conditions in Pre-Islamic Arabia that led to the rise of Muhammad and the foundation of Islam?
- Discuss the rupturing of the Caliphate in the 10th century with the establishment of Fatimid rule in Egypt [969] and the rise of the Seljuk Turks in the 11th century [1037] in the east.
- Compare and contrast the two scourges of Islam: the Crusaders from the West and the Mongols from the East.
- Outline and discuss the rise of the Mamluk state in Egypt in 1250 until its termination by the Ottoman Empire.
- Outline and discuss the origins and foundation of the Ottoman Empire beginning with Osman and his dream up to the capture of Constantinople by Mehmet II “Al-Fatih” in 1453.