18 2 Cultural Blending The Safavid Empire Setting

18. 2 – Cultural Blending: The Safavid Empire

Setting the Stage • What is cultural blending? • What trait of a society can prevent cultural blending? • What are some current examples of cultural blending?

Patterns • Cultural interaction = exposure to ideas, food, technology • Crossroads, trade routes, ports, & borders = beginning of mixture • Beneficial to be open and willing to adapt • Cultural blending = new patterns of behavior

• Cultural change brought about by: – – Migration Trade Conquest Religious freedom or conversion • Ex: Ottomans – Surrounded = motivation to take territory – Location on trade route = riches & contact with many – Interest in learning = new ideas about art, literature, etc. Causes

Results • Blending can lead to changes in all aspects • Language – characters from one to another – Chinese to Japanese • Religion – Different traditions w/in same religion – Reformation • Government – same government, different interpretations – Democracy: Athens v. U. S. • Ethnic Mixture – cultures mix together – Mestizos or Creoles in the Americas • Arts & Architecture – peoples adapt styles of others – Chinese artistic elements in European paintings

• Fueled by need for territory & alignment to Shi’a Islam • Squeezed by Ottomans & Mughals = need for powerful army • 1499 -1501: Isma’il (12 -14) seizes Iran – Takes the title of shah & makes Shi’a the state religion • Religious tyrant: Kills all who don’t convert – Actions lead to modern border between Iraq & Iran • Tahmasp (son) expands empire to Caucasus & Turkey – Brings Christians into the empire Safavids

Golden Age • 1587: Shah Abbas takes the throne • Issues reforms – Limited the army’s power by establishing an army of Persians & Christians = loyal to him – Punishes corruption & promotes by skill & loyalty – Hires foreigners to government positions • Encouraged trade with Christian Europe • Built a new capital at Esfahan = modern center for learning

• Shah Abbas focused on the arts – Brought Chinese artisans to Esfahan – Produce vast amounts of metalwork, paintings, pottery, etc. • Collaboration = blend of Chinese & Persian ideas • Interactions w/ the West = demand for Persian carpets – Becomes a national industry – Huge source of wealth – Artists sent to Italy to adapt to European demands The Arts

Quick Decline • Makes same mistake as Suleyman I w/ his successor • Kills or blinded ablest sons • Safi takes Safavids down the same path, but quicker • 1736: Nadir Shah Afshar expands empire to India – Cruel = assassinated by own troops • 1747: dies = disintegration of the empire