Christianity and Islam on Trade In the first through sixteenth centuries, was a major turning point for the world. Major religions such as christianity, and Islam were gaining more power and respect throughout the post-classical states. Trade was a major shift in the world as well, but little more difficult in some regions more than others. For example in Europe, the ideology of christianity made trade sound like a greedy and horrendous act while in the state of Islam they accepted greed, and did not punish it or look down on it as much as christianity did in their early stages. With this difference they are more similar than different, in the way that they both had their views evolve around the idea of trade changed as the world progressed, as well as both regions had a code of conduct to …show more content…
Christianity and Islam had conflicting opinions when it came to trade, being the two major religions surrounding the mediterranean,the two religions held major influence when it came to trade. They were so influential that over time their ideals slowly changed as well as their audience making them similar. These ideas were eventually laws, or accepted as way to continue making a profit. In the region dominated culturally and religiously by christianity (Europe, est mediterranean had a separate idea of christianity) the ideals and beliefs regarding trade changed from deeply looked down upon, to acceptable. For instance in document three around 1170 C.E before St.Godric's death. Reginald - monk of durham, colleague to St. Godric. Reginald was a british merchant with the ideals of god in mind. In the document it stated “.... And now he had spent sixteen years as a merchant, and he began to think of spending (money) on
Geography plays a key role with trade. The fourth painting that Brook shows us is called “The Geographer”. The main focal point in this painting is the globe that is located behind the man. During this time, knowledge of geography was far from perfect, but it was drastically improving. As Brook points out, the Spanish Jesuit, Adrino de las Cortes, was a great example of the moving geography of the epoch. The ship that he led was crashed onto the rocks of the Chinese coast by 1625, right after it had departed from Manila. This was completely by mistake, as they soon discovered uncharted territory. The people who had been living there had never seen any foreign people at a close range. It surprised them to see the wide span of people they brought: African Americans, Portuguese, Muslims, Spaniards, and the list goes on. This showed that the rise of the global world did not only imply goods and material objects, but also people from all
Through analyzing the five given documents, factors affecting cultural exchange through civilizations during 1000 and 1400 A.D. are noticeably those which result in the bringing of new ideas to a different area, such as missionary work, commerce, war, and travels. As new religions sprouted throughout Europe on other expansive areas, missionaries were sent out to foreign lands. Document 1 comes from the viewpoint of a Roman Catholic missionary attempting to spread his faith by presenting a letter from the pope to the emperor of the Tatars. This shows that by converting a powerful leader to your faith, such as an emperor, it is easier for others to follow said faith. Documents 2 and 4 also emphasize how travel can be accountable for the exchange of ideas between cultures. Both Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo traveled extensive distances, stopping in various cities. Throughout their journeys, they carried their ideas with them, but were also introduced to the ideas of the people in the places they were visiting. Document 3 presents what is most likely the culprit for the increase in cultural diffusion during 1000 to 1400 A.D. War is often the reason for major cultural diffusion because, as new lands are conquered and the people of that land are put under the rule of a different people, the beliefs, traditions, and cultures of the conquerors mesh with those of the conquered. Document 5 also introduces a driving force in cultural diffusion – commerce. During this time period, many people were traders. Products made by a people are characteristics of their culture, whether it is the skill, intelligence, cleverness, or religious inclination of those people. As traders made their way to foreign lands to conduct business, whole empires were int...
Christianity’s and Islam’s outlook on trade significantly varied from the 1st century until the 15th century. Trade in the two religions differed greatly at first, since one believed that it was sinful, while the other embraced it. However, by the end of the Post Classical era, the religions' view on trade and merchants were almost as if they were switched. Christian teachings warn about the consequences from the effects of trade, whereas the Muslims practice trade as an accepted way of life (Docs 1,2,3,6). Even with these differences ideas on the topic, they still preached the importance of fair trade (Docs 2,4,5,7). By the 15th and 16th centuries, Muslims and Christians both changed when Muslims started to demand fairer trade and Christians
All across cultures in history, varying groups of beliefs have come into contact with one another. As for early Muslims, military expansion and travel were key components for spreading the Islamic religion to foreign nations. However, not all exchanges were hostile or wholly based on the conquest of exotic lands. Some interactions solely were based on capturing lands to control, while allowing non-converters to remain in the area as the military continued forward gaining new territory. The primary sources, The Viking Rus, Peace Terms with Jerusalem, and The Pact to Be Accorded to Non-Muslim Subjects provide insight on how Muslims interacted with other religious groups. Early Muslims saw the expansion of Islam through conquest, travel, and trade with foreign cultures and beliefs, all while having unusual exchanges with each faith.
“Segu is a garden where cunning grows. Segu is built on treachery. Speak of Segu outside Segu, but do not speak of Segu in Segu” (Conde 3). These are the symbolic opening words to the novel Segu by Maryse Conde. The kingdom of Segu in the eighteenth and nineteenth century represents the rise and fall of many kingdoms in the pre-colonial Africa. Therefore, Segu indirectly represents the enduring struggles, triumphs, and defeats of people who are of African decent in numerous countries around the world. There are three major historical concepts that are the focus of this book. One is the spread of the Islamic religion. Another is the slave trade, and the last is the new trade in the nineteenth century and the coming of new ideas from Europe (legitimate commerce). However, Segu does not simply explain these circumstances externally, but rather with a re-enactment that tells a story of the state of affairs on a personal level, along with the political one. By doing this, the book actually unfolds many deceitful explanations for the decline of West African countries in the eighteenth and nineteenth century.
Bentley, J., & Ziegler, H. (2008). Trade and encounters a global perspective on the past. (4th ed., Vol. 1, pp. 182-401). New York: McGraw-Hill.
When analyzing trade and commerce differences between Western and Eastern Europe, Islamic encouragement towards trade and commerce in Eastern Europe in the late 8th and 9th century led to the increased importation of Eastern goods into Western Europe. This increase in exotic goods ultimately increased the wealth of Western Europe and boosted its economy. This in turn, attracted the Vikings to pillage and raid communities in order to increase their own wealth in Northern Europe.
With the possibility of converting new Christians curtailed in the Ottoman neighbors to the East, and a mounting trade deficit with Asia, the kings of Portugal, Spain and England – amongst others – started looking for alternatives to the trade status quo. At first the Dutch and Portuguese sought direct access to Chinese and Indian suppliers by staying along the African coast all the way around the continent in order to reach the source of silk and spice. However, in order for European trade ships to reach their goal, they had to sail through waters that were controlled by Muslim traders that were not willing to release their monopoly without a fight. Therefore, it wasn’t long before the process of rounding Africa was brought into question and it was believed a more direct route to Asia could be found by crossing the Atlantic.
Although Christians initially did not support the ways of commercial life on account of how merchants were too fixated on wealth and property, they adjusted to it over time. Muslims, on the other hand, went from approving of merchants to viewing them adversely as trade grew and became more corrupt in their eyes. Still, they both agreed that traders should be honorable and principled in their exchange. The attitudes of Christianity and Islam toward merchants and trade greatly reformed from their origins until 1500.
Meanwhile, the Crusades had expanded trade routes to the East and given Europeans a taste for imported goods… and luxurious textiles,” (History).
... had control various territories. Many merchants learned the Islamic language and became custom to their traditions. This allowed for its culture to spread and Islam had received converts. The trading industry has a major effect on the economy and allows the spread of one’s culture.
Laws that affected trade between merchants were lacking in strength during the medieval ages. According to The Spontaneous Evolution of Commercial Law, authored by Bruce Benson, a professor of Economics at Florida State University, Lex Mercatoria is a body of rules that emerged during medieval Europe. The fall of the Roman Empire led to a significant decline in Europe’s commercial activities. However, in the eleventh century expansion occurred in the agricultural sector of Europe. This expansion was caused by increased agricultural productivity. Workers were able to produce an adequate amount of food and clothing for the population with less labor. One result of this increase in productivity was an increase in trade. Another result was urbanization of Europe’s population. These results led to a dramatic increase in the number of professional merchants (Benson 646). Unfortunately, merchants in the eleventh century faced many challenges. The distance to other cities was a huge barrier to consistent trade. The distance between cities also made relationship building much more difficult. Merchants did not have a central language. They spoke several different languages because of their various cultural backgrounds. A multitude of middlemen could be used for one transaction between merchants. The cultural diversity also caused misunderstandings and hostility (Benson 646). The need for clear facilitation of trade between merchants from various countries. This need led to the creation of Lex Mercatoria.
At the first glance, Islam and Christianity appear to have nothing in common, however; as you go beyond the surface, they appear to have many similarities such as their beliefs of God, their beliefs of life after death, their holy scriptures, and their prayers. These religions, although are two entirely different beliefs, share a similar origin. Like many other religions, they both claim to be the one and only true way to God. In order to truly see and understand their similarities, one must date back to the rise and birth of Christianity and Islam. Throughout the course of this essay, I will compare the many facets that show the alikeness between these two growing religions.
Islam and Christianity have a vast amount of similarities as well as differences. Islam searches for guidance from the Qur’an and Christianity depends on faith in Jesus. Islamic faith believes in the God, Allah. Above anything else, all religious Muslims obey Allah and his commandments to obtain peace. On other hand, Christianity puts faith in Jesus who is the son of God. A major concept that separates both of the religions is the fact that the God of each faith has different qualities. This means Islam and Christianity don’t worship the same God. Islam and Christianity are two separate belief systems in which two separate Gods exist.
‘The Merchant of Venice’ focuses on trade itself and its effects on society and religion. Antoni...