Unit 1 and 2 Group DBQ
Question 1
Using the documents and your knowledge of world history, evaluate the extent to which religion and politics interacted in the era ca. 1200-ca. 1450.
Document 1 Source: Mongol emperor Möngke Khan speaking to Christian traveler William Rubruck, 1255. We Mongols believe in one God, by Whom we live and die. Just as God gave different fingers to the hand so has He given different ways to men. To you, God has given the Scriptures and you Christians do not observe them. Tell your [Christian] leaders I will offer my cooperation, but, if you bring an army against us – we know what we can do.
Document 3 Source: The Chronicle of Novgorod, a Russian account of the 13th-century Mongol invasion of Russia, written in the 13th century. In 1238, the Mongols came in countless numbers, like locusts, into our land. They sent messengers to our princes demanding one-tenth of everything. And the princes said, “Only when none of us remain will all be yours.” But it was too late to oppose the wrath of God on us. God took our strength and put us into perplexity and thunder and dread because of our sins. And then the pagan foreigners surrounded us… and killed the princes, men, women, children, nuns and priests. But God saved the Bishop, for he had departed the morning the Mongols invaded.
Document 6 Source: A Christian witness to the sacking of Constantinople, 1453 The enraged Turkish soldiers gave no quarter. When they had massacred and there was no longer any resistance, they roamed through the town stealing, pillaging, killing, and taking captive men, women, children, monks and priests. Saints’ altars, torn from their foundations, were overturned. All the most holy hiding places were violated and broken in order to get out the holy treasures which they contained… When [Muslim leader] Mehmed saw the ravages, the destruction and the deserted houses and all that had perished and become ruins, then a great sadness took possession of him and he repented the pillage and all the destruction. Tears came to his eyes and sobbing, he expressed his sadness.
Document 7 Source: Leo Africanus, high-ranking Muslim official from Morocco, from his book The History and Description of Africa, 16th century. “The Kingdom of Borno”: They embrace no religion at all, being neither Christian, Muslim nor Jew, but living in a brutish manner, having wives and children in common. Their king is most powerful, and the people are not forced to pay many taxes, except on their grain. Most revenue for the government comes from spoils taken from his enemies by frequent invasions. “The City of Timbuktu”: The rich king of Timbuktu has many plates of gold, some of which weigh 1300 pounds. Here are great numbers of Islamic religious teachers, judges and other learned persons, who are bountifully maintained at the king’s expense. The inhabitants are gentle and cheerful and spend a great part of the night in singing and dancing throughout the city streets.
Document 2: Painting of Charlemagne, king of the Franks, being crowned by Pope Leo III in the 9th century; painting from the 14th century.
Document 4: The Daoist-influenced Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, built by Chinese emperors in the early 15th century, Beijing.
Document 5: 15th-century Persian image depicting Muhammad (with veiled face) and his son-in-law Ali (with veiled face) smashing idols in the Kaaba in Mecca. Some traditions suggest that Muhammad ordered pictures of Jesus and Mary to be left alone. (Note: Some Muslims believe that Muhammad should not be depicted in art and others believe his face must be covered as is shown in this piece.)
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