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ISLAMIC CivilizationISLAMIC Civilization

Economy & tradeEconomy & trade

The size & strength of the Islamic Empire The size & strength of the Islamic Empire fostered trade!fostered trade!

•There were few borders and relative stability! •Trade was safer and taxed less.

The Islamic empire took control of . . .

• Mediterranean trade

• part of the Silk Roads

• Muslim merchants gained increasing control of Indian Ocean trade.

• Both luxury goods & necessities were part of the trade network.– Textiles were an important part of

regional trade and manufacturing– Horses, medicine, paper, and

sugar were important exports

• the Abbasids developed a system in which inspectors worked to keep trade practices fair– weights & measures, etc

• A single currency became the standard throughout the Islamic Empire during the Abbasid period– The Abbasid dinar

• Banks were set up in cities throughout the Islamic empire.

– Letters of credit (sakks) helped trade

• The Arabic language helped facilitate trade • The demands on trade also generated

development of crafts. • Merchants continued to hold relatively high

status during this period.