• Muslim empires (such as Abbasid Caliphate) had many intellectual innovations (especially in science & math)

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• Islam spread throughout Afro-Eurasia via to merchants & missionaries (especially Sufis)

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• Trade flourished due to Middle East's prime location

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• Many commercial innovations helped boost trade

• Had many innovations in science, math, and literature

  • House of Wisdom: Ancient university with many STEM innovations (e.g. algebra)​

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• Spread Islam via merchants, missionaries, and military​

  • Islamic merchants traveled throughout Afro-Eurasia → Spread Islam everywhere

  • Missionaries of Sufi Islam were most successful due to Sufism's emotional appeal

  • As Islamic empires expanded militarily, they brought more people into their Islamic rule

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• Trade flourished due to Middle East's prime location

  • Islamic merchants engaged in trade with West Africa, East Africa, India, China, Southeast Asia, and Europe

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• Increase in trade → Commercial innovations made trade easier

  • Letters of credit: Merchants deposit money in one place & get a letter of credit to pick up the money in another place → Decreases risk of robbery

  • Caravanserai: Roadside inns where merchants could rest for the night