PRACTICE GATEWAY #4
Post-Classical Religions
Historical Background
By 1600, major world religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism spread
throughout the world. The spread of belief systems by merchants, empires, and
missionaries has influenced social, economic, and political developments in
many regions throughout the world.
Writing Task
Discuss and evaluate the spread of Christianity from its origins to 1600. In your
response, be sure to discuss the following:
 The origins of Christianity (including the founder of the faith and its
basic beliefs)
 The spread of Christianity into at least one region of the world
(including where the religion began, where it spread, and how it spread
to this area)
 The impact of Christianity on the people where the faith was spread.
(Documents A through E are related to this writing task)
Document A
Growth of Christianity
Jesus is born around 4 B.C.
↓
Jesus begins preaching his new beliefs around 26 A.D.
↓
Jesus is crucified around 29 A.D.
↓
Disciples begin to spread Jesus’ teachings
↓
Christianity becomes the official religion of the Roman Empire
in 392 A.D.
↓
The Catholic Church dominated European life during the
Middle Ages from 500 to 1300 A.D.
↓
Byzantine Emperor Justinian came to power in 527 A.D.
and later built the Hagia Sophia
↓
Orthodox Christianity becomes the official religion of Russia in 989 A.D.
↓
Columbus discovers America in 1492 A.D. and soon after the
first Jesuit missionaries arrived
Document B
“Men, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus,
and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 16:30–31
Document C
Map of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Islamic World at the Time of the Crusades
ISLAMIC EMPIRE
ISLAMIC EMPIRE
Document D
Jesuit missionaries in North America
Document E
…The Catholic Church was the only church in Europe during the
Middle Ages, and it had its own laws and large coffers. Church leaders
such as bishops and archbishops sat on the king's council and played
leading roles in government. Bishops, who were often wealthy and
came from noble families, ruled over groups of parishes called
"diocese." Parish priests, on the other hand, came from humbler
backgrounds and often had little education. The village priest tended
to the sick and indigent and, if he was able, taught Latin and the Bible
to the youth of the village…
“Religion in the Middle Ages,” Learner.org (adapted)
PRACTICE GATEWAY #4
Post-Classical Religions
Historical Background
By 1600, major world religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism spread
throughout the world. The spread of belief systems by merchants, empires, and
missionaries has influenced social, economic, and political developments in
many regions throughout the world.
Writing Task
Discuss and evaluate the spread of Islam from its origins to 1600. In your
response, be sure to discuss the following:
 The origins of Islam (including the founders of the faith and its basic
beliefs)
 The spread of Islam into at least one region of the world (including where
the religion began, where it spread, and how it spread to this area)
 The impact of Islam on the people where the faith was spread.
(Documents A through E are related to this writing task)
Document A
Growth of Islam
Muhammad is born in Mecca in 570.
↓
According to the Qur’an, Muhammad is told that he is a prophet by the
angel Gabriel in 610. Muhammad begins to preach his beliefs.
↓
Muhammad and his followers return to Mecca in 630 and
rededicates the Ka’aba to the one God, Allah.
↓
Muhammad dies in 633 and the caliphs spread
Muhammad’s teachings.
↓
From 661 to 750, the Umayyad Empire conquers Arabia,
Northern Africa, southern Spain, Persia, and parts of western Asia.
↓
From the 7th to 11th centuries, Islamic merchants trade salt to the
kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai in exchange for gold.
↓
th
In the 8 century, Arab and Muslim merchants trade in East Africa.
↓
By 1500, the Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals created
Islamic empires in Asia.
Document B
In contrast to many other religions, the basic practice of Islam is
simplicity itself. The believer worships God directly without the
intercession of priests or clergy or saints. The believer's duties are
summed up in five simple rules, the so-called Five Pillars of Islam:
Belief, Worship, Fasting, Almsgiving, and Pilgrimage.
Source: Islam: Empire of Faith, PBS.org (adapted)
Document C
The Spread of Islam, 634—1250
The Spread of Islam
By 634
By 750
By 1250
Document D
“We sailed on for fifteen nights and came to Mogadishu on the East
African coast, which is a town of enormous size. Its inhabitants are
merchants possessed of vast resources…their leader knows the Arabic
language.”
Source: “The Travels of Ibn Battuta”
Document E
Mansa Musa’s journeys were documented on this European map of Africa.
Source: Catalan Atlas, 1375