Final answer:
The expansion of the Muslim Empires involved the Umayyad Caliphate extending its influence to Syria through leadership changes and military conquests, and the Abbasid Caliphate advancing into Iraq despite political revolts, which led to the flourishing of culture and knowledge in their new capital, Baghdad.
Step-by-step explanation:
To summarize the expansion of the Muslim Empires through cause and effect, the Umayyad Caliphate expanded due to leadership changes and military conquests, which led to the establishment of rule in regions like Syria. This centralization of power influenced social and cultural developments. Meanwhile, the Abbasid Caliphate faced political revolts but managed to expand into Iraq and foster significant social and cultural development, eventually establishing Baghdad as a major cultural and intellectual hub.
The Abbasids built upon the knowledge from areas such as Persia, India, and China, leading to a period often referred to as the "Islamic Golden Age." However, they too faced fragmentation, as seen with the uprising that led to their fall and the rise of regional powers like the Fatimid Caliphate and the Seljuk Sultanate. Various factors, including trade, military expansion, and political revolts, fueled the outward growth of these caliphates, contributing to the diverse and rich history of the Islamic empires.