Final answer:
The rise of Islamic states was influenced by the decline of older empires, trade expansion, military conquests, and developments in political and legal structures. Culturally, the spread of monotheistic beliefs and the flourishing of intellectual activities significantly marked Islamic society. Economics, politics, and culture were all crucial in shaping the landscape of Islamic states.
Step-by-step explanation:
Causes of the Rise of Islamic States
The rise of Islamic states can be attributed to a complex interplay of economic, political, and cultural factors. Economic factors played a crucial role; the decline of Roman and Persian Empires created a power vacuum that new Islamic rulers could and did exploit. Trade and conquest expanded the influence of Islam into various regions including West Africa and India. Additionally, the Islamic empires were active trading partners with neighbors from various regions, contributing to their prosperity.
Political factors such as the initial spread of Islam through military campaigns and the subsequent establishment of political and legal institutions further solidified the power of the Islamic states. Political fragmentation along religious lines, such as the Sunni/Shi'ite split, often led to in-fighting rather than unity, although it also allowed for regional diversity and independence.
On the cultural level, the proliferation of monotheistic faiths through the Arabian Peninsula and the eventual softening of restrictions on Greek philosophy led to a period of intellectual flourish. Islamic societies produced significant scientific work and were generally conservative, yet they did not experience the kind of radical changes that occurred in the Western world. Even so, the cultural cohesion and identity of the Muslim ummah remained a unifying force that was characterized by religion, education, and trade after the year 1500.
Despite setbacks such as the capture of Jerusalem during the First Crusade and the arrival of European colonialism, Islamic states navigated the complexities of international relations through periods of conflict and cooperation.