The Umayyads
-After Muhammad and under the first caliphs, Muslims conquered the city of Damascus, which is located in Syria in 635 AD
-Then they conquered Mesopotamia in 637 and Persia in the middle of the 600s
The Umayyads were led by Muawiya-Previously had been the Muslim governor of Syria
-After the assassination of the 4th caliph, Ali, Muawiya had enough support to take control in 661.
- Family ruled for next 90 years (dynasty)-Umayyads
-Muawiya moved the capital to Damascus
Expanded Westward
- Expanded west across the northern part of Africa
- Converted the Berbers (Sahara desert travelers) to Islam
- Berbers helped them cross the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain
- The Muslims were so determined to conquer Spain, that they burned their boats when they all made it across
- Helped the Jews and Christians defeat the Catholic Visigoths and drive them out of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain)
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