The geography of the Umayyad Caliphate
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify where the Islamic Empire started and the regions it covered.
Key learning points
- The Umayyad Caliphate was the second dynastic caliphate and was the largest; it ruled the last united Islamic caliphate.
- This empire covered the Middle East, parts of Asia as far as India, North Africa, and most of Spain.
- It controlled a vast network of trade routes, allowing wealth and knowledge to spread throughout Islamic civilisation.
- Muslim control of the trade routes from Southern Europe to East Asia, known as the Silk Roads, was very lucrative.
Keywords
Umayyad - Umayyad was the name of a line of caliphs based in Damascus that ruled from 661 CE to 750 CE
Dynastic - dynastic means that power and leadership is handed down from one generation of a ruling family to the next
Silk Roads - the Silk Roads refers to a network of ancient trade routes between China and Europe
Lucrative - when something is lucrative, it makes a lot of money
Common misconception
The Silk Roads were specific, defined roads.
The Silk Roads were not actual roads nor a single route; it was in fact a network of trade routes running between China and Europe.
Teacher tip
Talk about what the children might consider to be luxury goods. Compare it to the luxury goods of those traded on the Silk Roads.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The revelations that Muhammad (PBUH) received were written in the , which contains the teachings of Islam.
Q2.Which city is a place of pilgrimage for Muslims?
Q3.The Muslim leader and ruler and next-in-line of Muhammad (PBUH) after his death was known as the...
Q4.The first caliphate after the death of Muhammad (PBUH) was the Caliphate.
Q5.Which religion spread as a result of the expansion of the Rashidun Caliphate?
Q6.Why was capturing Jerusalem in 638 CE important to the Muslims?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The Umayyads were a line of ...
Q2.The Umayyad Caliphate followed a dynastic rule. What does dynastic mean in the context?
Q3.The Silk Road was lucrative for the Umayyad Caliphate. What does lucrative mean?
Q4.What was the main reason why traders on the Silk Road travelled in caravans?
Q5.Goods that were transported for trade on the Silk Road, like tea, salt, sugar, porcelain and spices, were goods.
Q6.Why did traders use camels to carry goods on the Silk Road?
To help you plan your 5 history lesson on: The geography of the Umayyad Caliphate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 history lesson on: The geography of the Umayyad Caliphate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the Early Islamic civilisation: how did Baghdad become the 'City of Peace'? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.