CH 18 Sec 2 - Cultural Blending
CH 18 Sec 2 - Cultural Blending
CH 18 Sec 2 - Cultural Blending
Cultural Blending
CASE STUDY: The Safavid Empire
MAIN IDEA
CULTURAL INTERACTION The Safavid Empire produced a rich and complex blended culture in Persia.
SETTING THE STAGE Throughout the course of world history, cultures have
interacted with each other. Often such interaction has resulted in the mixing of different cultures in new and exciting ways. This process is referred to as cultural blending. The Safavid Empire, a Shiite Muslim dynasty that ruled in Persia between the 16th and 18th centuries, provides a striking example of how interaction among peoples can produce a blending of cultures. This culturally diverse empire drew from the traditions of Persians, Ottomans, and Arabs.
TAKING NOTES
Drawing Conclusions Identify examples of cultural blending in the Safavid Empire.
Cultural Blending
or more of the following four activities: migration pursuit of religious freedom or conversion trade conquest The blending that contributed to the culture of the Ottomans, which you just read about in Section 1, depended on all of these activities. Surrounded by the peoples of Christian Byzantium, the Turks were motivated to win both territory for their empire and converts to their Muslim religion. The Ottoman Empires location on a major trading route created many opportunities for contact with different cultures. Suleymans interest in learning and culture prompted him to bring the best foreign artists and scholars to his court. They brought new ideas about art, literature, and learning to the empire.
Results of Cultural Blending Cultural blending may lead to changes in lan-
guage, religion, styles of government, the use of technology, and military tactics.
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Cultural Blending
Location
India1000 B.C.
Interacting Cultures
Aryan and Dravidian Indian Arab, African, Indian Islamic, Christian Christian and Slavic Spanish and Aztec
Recognizing Effects Which of the effects of cultural blending do you think is the most significant? Explain.
These changes often reflect unique aspects of several cultures. For example: Language Sometimes the written characters of one language are used in another, as in the case of written Chinese characters used in the Japanese language. In the Safavid Empire, the language spoken was Persian. But after the area converted to Islam, a significant number of Arabic words appeared in the Persian language. Religion and ethical systems Buddhism spread throughout Asia. Yet the Buddhism practiced by Tibetans is different from Japanese Zen Buddhism. Styles of government The concept of a democratic government spread to many areas of the globe. Although the basic principles are similar, it is not practiced exactly the same way in each country. Racial or ethnic blending One example is the mestizo, people of mixed European and Indian ancestry who live in Mexico. Arts and architecture Cultural styles may be incorporated or adapted into art or architecture. For example, Chinese artistic elements are found in Safavid Empire tiles and carpets as well as in European paintings. The chart above shows other examples of cultural blending that have occurred over time in various areas of the world.
Grandson of Ismail, Shah Abbas led the Safavid Empire during its Golden Age.
to seize most of what is now Iran. Two years later he completed the task.
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To celebrate his achievement, he took the ancient Persian title of shah, or king. He also established Shia Islam as the state religion. Ismail became a religious tyrant. Any citizen who did not convert to Shiism was put to death. Ismail destroyed the Sunni population of Baghdad in his confrontation with the Ottomans. Their leader, Selim the Grim, later ordered the execution of all Shia in the Ottoman Empire. As many as 40,000 died. Their final face-off took place at the Battle of Chaldiran in 1514. Using artillery, the Ottomans pounded the Safavids into defeat. Another outcome of the battle was to set the border between the two empires. It remains the border today between Iran and Iraq. Ismails son Tahmasp learned from the Safavids defeat at Chaldiran. He adopted the use of artillery with his military forces. He expanded the Safavid Empire up to the Caucasus Mountains, northeast of Turkey, and brought Christians under Safavid rule. Tahmasp laid the groundwork for the golden age of the Safavids.
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Safavid culture and golden age that drew from the best of the Ottoman, Persian, and Arab worlds.
Reforms Shah Abbas reformed aspects of both military and civilian life. He limited the power of the military and created two new armies that would be loyal to him alone. One of these was an army of Persians. The other was a force that Abbas recruited from the Christian north and modeled after the Ottoman janissaries. He equipped both of these armies with modern artillery. Abbas also reformed his government. He punished corruption severely and promoted only officials who proved their competence and loyalty. He hired foreigners from neighboring countries to fill positions in the government. To convince European merchants that his empire was tolerant of other religions, Abbas brought members of Christian religious orders into the empire. As a result, Europeans moved into the land. Then industry, trade, and art exchanges grew between the empire and European nations. A New Capital The Shah built a new capital at Esfahan. With a design that covered
four and a half miles, the city was considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It was a showplace for the many artisans, both foreign and Safavid, who worked on the buildings and the objects in them. For example, 300 Chinese potters produced
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Drawing Conclusions How did Tahmasps cultural borrowing lead to the expansion of the Safavid Empire?
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glazed building tiles for the buildings in the city, and Armenians wove carpets.
Art Works Shah Abbas brought hundreds of Chinese
artisans to Esfahan. Working with Safavid artists, they produced intricate metalwork, miniature paintings, calligraphy, glasswork, tile work, and pottery. This collaboration gave rise to artwork that blended Chinese and Persian ideas. These decorations beautified the many mosques, palaces, and marketplaces.
Carpets The most important result of Western influence on the Safavids, however, may have been the demand for Persian carpets. This demand helped change carpet weaving from a local craft to a national industry. In the beginning, the carpets reflected traditional Persian themes. As the empire became more culturally blended, the designs incorporated new themes. In the 16th century, Shah Abbas sent artists to Italy to study under the Renaissance artist Raphael. Rugs then began to reflect European designs.
Comparing In what ways were Shah Abbas and Suleyman the Lawgiver similar?
The Masjid-eImam mosque in Esfahan is a beautiful example of the flowering of the arts in the Safavid Empire.
SECTION
ASSESSMENT
TERMS & NAMES 1. For each term or name, write a sentence explaining its significance.
Safavid Ismail shah Shah Abbas Esfahan
MAIN IDEAS
3. What are the four causes of
cultural blending?
4. What reforms took place in the
blending do you think has the most lasting effect on a country? Explain.
7. DRAWING CONCLUSIONS How did the location of the
Cultural Blending
decline so quickly?
from Shah Abbas to a Chinese artist persuading him to come teach and work in the Safavid Empire.
INTERNET ACTIVITY
Use the Internet to research the charge that Persian rugs are largely made by children under the age of 14. Write a television documentary script detailing your research results.
INTERNET KEYWORD