Throughout the course of history, oppression and prejudice often characterize the trend of imperialism. Although colonialism may produce the growth of an empire, it is usually at the cost of the indigenous. Despite this, native minorities in the Iberian Peninsula maintained hope that the Islamic Empire would benefit their situation, an expectation that the Muslim conquerors soon fulfilled. Beginning an age of Iberian prosperity and establishing a flourishing empire, the Umayyad imperialism of Hispania in the early eighth century was justified as it led to social and political stability, cultural accomplishment, and an urban growth that greatly strengthened the peninsula.
Certain shifts in religious attitudes and the lack of productivity in …show more content…
while the actions of nobility met the contempt of the peasants–five million Jews, Greeks, Hispano-Romans, Galicians, Basques, Unitarians, and Celts (Allen 16). Anti-semitism, for example, deteriorated the Jewish community after the Seventh Council of Toledo decreed that “[t]he King will tolerate no one in his kingdom who is not Catholic” (Lewis 114). Eager for change, these disadvantaged peoples would soon play a critical role in Muslim assimilation.
After an Iberian noble’s daughter was kidnapped by King Roderick I, military leader Musa ibn Nasan mobilized thousands of troops. July 14, 711 marked the day of their victory in the Battle of Guadalete (Alkhateeb). As Muslims took the empire city by city, those who accepted the authority became leaders of conquered cities, helping to maintain order (Allen 46). On the other hand, most dissidents and Visigoth elites fled for safety. Thus, it was relatively simple to integrate their new empire.
Calling the land “al-Andalus”, the Muslims oversaw a smooth transition of rule, unified under a Caliphate, and later, Emirate. Reforms advocated coexistence and interfaith harmony between Muslims, Christians, and Jews (Allen 4), providing the basis for strength and creativity. Within decades, the Umayyad Emirate of Cordoba became the first great civilization of
Certain shifts in religious attitudes and the lack of productivity in …show more content…
while the actions of nobility met the contempt of the peasants–five million Jews, Greeks, Hispano-Romans, Galicians, Basques, Unitarians, and Celts (Allen 16). Anti-semitism, for example, deteriorated the Jewish community after the Seventh Council of Toledo decreed that “[t]he King will tolerate no one in his kingdom who is not Catholic” (Lewis 114). Eager for change, these disadvantaged peoples would soon play a critical role in Muslim assimilation.
After an Iberian noble’s daughter was kidnapped by King Roderick I, military leader Musa ibn Nasan mobilized thousands of troops. July 14, 711 marked the day of their victory in the Battle of Guadalete (Alkhateeb). As Muslims took the empire city by city, those who accepted the authority became leaders of conquered cities, helping to maintain order (Allen 46). On the other hand, most dissidents and Visigoth elites fled for safety. Thus, it was relatively simple to integrate their new empire.
Calling the land “al-Andalus”, the Muslims oversaw a smooth transition of rule, unified under a Caliphate, and later, Emirate. Reforms advocated coexistence and interfaith harmony between Muslims, Christians, and Jews (Allen 4), providing the basis for strength and creativity. Within decades, the Umayyad Emirate of Cordoba became the first great civilization of