Essay structure and thesis development fundamentals

Islam and Christianity have a lot of history to share dating back to some years before the birth of Jesus. Although the members did not interact freely, the current 'animosity' characterizing the two religions was unheard of. In fact, they appeared to be focused much in solving their individual problems which unique but almost similar. This study shows that the two religions were affected by problems related to political succession leading to the cooperation instead of conflict.

How did the problem of political succession affect Islamic and Christian societies in the Middle Ages?

The problems of political succession affected Islamic and Christian societies in a number of ways. First, political succession affected Islamic societies by causing an expansion of Islam from the Middle East in other parts of the world. In this regard, a series of events that took place in the Middle East affected the spread of Islam. This begins with the death of Prophet Mohammad in 632. His death led to a succession crisis at the time that led to the spread of Islam in the Middle East. After his death, the succession challenge made the Mohammad tribes that had shortly joined his camp to break away leading to the spread of Islam.

In addition, the succession crisis was followed by subsequent punitive expeditions and dramatic conquests. They include the Ridda Wars that were characterized by dramatic conquests. They later spread into the Byzantine and Sassanian lands leading increased Muslim followers in these lands and beyond. These events also involved the spread and high activity of the Muslim Arabs who had taken charge of lands like Horms and Damascus. They started taking active roles in spreading Islam in the Middle East, North Africa, and other parts of the world.

In addition, the succession challenge also affected the Christian community, especially through the Islamic conquests that came out of the succession problems. For instance, the resounding defeat of Byzantine forces during the Yarmuk (636) necessitated by the succession challenges led to making other areas like Syria and Palestine, which were Christian to be open to Islam. These regions were conquered affected many Christians at the time. In 638, Antioch and Jerusalem were already taken opening room for the Islamic armies to begin undertaking westward and eastward offensives.

What was the primary factor that facilitated Christian and Muslim cooperation instead of conflict in the Middle Ages?

Christians and Muslims cooperated in the Middle Ages because their holy books gave almost similar teachings about relating fairly to people of other faiths. The Quran has stipulated on the way Islam should treat the people of other faiths. For instance, in (2:62 and 5:69); the Quran stipulates the promise that "Jews and Christians who have faith, trust in God and the Last Day, and do what is righteous shall have their reward." In other word, diverse religious communities are captured in God's plan. In fact, the Quran asserts that humankind will ultimately be one community. This led the Islam at the time to embrace diversity since diversity is a test for the people of faith.

In addition, the Muslims of the middle age revered Quran, which states, "there shall be no compulsion in religious matters" (2:256), and that there is a need for peaceful coexistence. This led to calmness at the time and allowed the Muslims to cooperate, and not engage in conflicts at the time. Such actions enhanced the cooperation regardless of the challenges that the Islamic and Christian communities faced at the time. The communities found the need to live well with one another in honor of the statues in the Quran and the Bible.

The Christians were also guided by the scriptural concept of promoting peace at all times. The Bible advocates for Christians to keep the peace as they can with all people, and to treat others as they would have wished to be treated. This led the Christians in the Middle East to find the means to coexist with the Islam within the lines of the scriptures. All these led to increased harmony and cooperation among the Christian and Islam communities.

What was the defining and unifying characteristic of the Crusades?

The defining and unifying characteristic of the crusades was the need to reclaim the Christian territories that were in the hands of the Muslims. The crusades were characterized by military expeditions that were launched by the Christian Europe intended to reclaim the Christian territories that were taken over by the Muslims. Many of the Christian civic leaders in Europe and the pope sanctioned the crusades leading to the military expeditions. The focus of the crusade was to take over Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulcher. The crusade was a success because they recaptured Jerusalem and Antioch besides establishing the Crusader states. The strong support was given to the crusaders led to a great success in their missions. However, these crusades had far-reaching repercussions that still are felt today although the crusades ended in the 14th century.