2015+AP+P3+Moor

=The Moors = Cultural - Emmalee Mauldin The Moors had an enormous cultural impact on European society hundreds of years ago, and this impact carries into society today. Before the Moors served as slaves and servants to royalty and wealthy families, they brought several advancements to Europe that are still utilized today. From an article, “The Moorish advances in mathematics, astronomy, art, and agriculture helped propel Europe out of the Dark Ages and into the Renaissance” (ABS Staff 1). The Moors made education and universities more popular and important to a society where most of the citizens were illiterate, and for society today, it is a requirement for citizens to attend school as children and teenagers; this also made paper (paper that the Moors created) and the mass production of paper necessary. The group developed streetlights, paved roads, public baths and a higher standard for hygiene, hospitals and more modern medical techniques. The Moors altered cuisine, and brought advancements to agricultural and hydro- systems, as well as mathematics, physics, and astronomy. However, once the Moors were forced out of their lands and into European servitude, the term “Moor” became interchangeable with “African”, which became interchangeable with “slave” and other harsh and obscene terms. To be “Moorish” or a “Moor” became an unpopular and less well-known nationality/ethnicity since the term is used so interchangeably with other negatively connotated words. Nonetheless, without the Moors, the society of the modern world could potentially have been lacking in education, sciences, and the arts.

Works Cited ABS Staff. "When Black Men Ruled the World: 8 Things The Moors Brought to Europe." //Atlanta Black Star.com.// Atlanta Black Star, 7 Oct. 2013.Web. 23 Mar. 2015. "'Moors' in the European Renaissance." //Ta Neter Foundation: Restoring Africa's Lost Legacy.// Ta Neter Foundation, 2011. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.

Historical: Katie

The Moorish people were originally islamic inhabitants of the northernmost part of Africa during the medieval era. In 711 A.C.E., the Moors began a conquest of the Iberian Peninsula under the leadership of Tariq ibn-Ziyad ("15 Things You..." 1). The Visigoths that had controlled Spain previously were quickly pushed out of power and Moorish armies pushed through Spain and into France, spreading their culture and establishing new cities. In northern Spain Christian resistance rose up, but in the areas the Moors already controlled many cities became centers of cultural, educational, and technological development (Lane-Poole 1). The Moors ruled Spain for more than 800 years, years in which Spanish society was irrevocably altered through an influx of Moorish cultural figures, and a heightened standard of living. Progressive policies and projects like public libraries introduced in that time allowed more and more individuals to learn about, at least on a basic level, whatever they choose to ("15 Things You..." 1). In the 900s the Christian reconquest began, and enormous numbers of Moorish artisans and skilled workers were killed or banished from the Spanish nation, resulting in a severe dive in prosperity. By 1609 the Moorish population had been all but eradicated from Spain, though some of the strides that had been made to the betterment of the country remained (Lane-Poole 1). Despite the apparent Christian disdain for the Moors, the fact remains that their intervention benefited not only Spain, but all of Europe, and without them who knows how far behind our current level of social and technological advancement would be.

Works Cited: Lane-Poole, S. "Moors." //Infoplease//. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 23 Mar. 2015. "15 Things You Did Not Know About the Moors of Spain." //Black History Studies//. 1 Jan. 2009. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.

Aim: Sophia The Moors refer to a vast people that made many great advancements to European society and science despite their oppressed -and sometimes forgotten- history. As they began to move out of their homeland in North Africa, Mauritania, into Southern Europe, they easily overtook and replaced the crumbling feudal system in nations such as Spain, France, and Portugal ("The 'Moors' of Europe..." 1). With a land of their own, they were able to experience religious freedom (many became Muslims, some became Christians), remodel their towns with paved roads, numerous schools, and public baths, and revolutionize the number system by introducing Arabic numbers as opposed to Roman numerals. Their goal was perhaps that of any other struggling for power; to become an integral part of the world and to leave a unique mark. However, like the Jewish people, they spent hundreds of years fighting for control over different lands, constantly being moved and historically being described as alien and inferior (Lowry and Watson 1). Despite their attempts (and achievements) in creating a successful empire and ruling Spain for nearly 800 years, the Spanish Inquisition in the 15th century effectively exterminated many of the Moorish people, burning down their buildings and art in the process. Their efforts to create a unified and respected culture were buried, and other nations did little to preserve their positive impacts on the modernizing world. Even now, few artifacts remain of the Moorish Empire, and a reliable account of the identity of the Moors is hazy at best.

Works Cited Lowry, Robina Lambert, and Fiona Flores Watson. "The Moors in Andalucía - 8th to 15th Centuries." //Andalucia.com.// Andalucia.Com S.L., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2015. "The 'Moors' of Europe." //Ta Neter Foundation.// Ta Neter.org. 2011. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.

Audience: Sabrina The essence of the Moors enraptures a prominent influence they had culturally and historically in Europe. The audience of the Moors encompasses a variety of cultures and generations mainly due to the pristine example that the Moors have set. This is in regards to the cultural advancements of many forms of expression including valuable growth in all forms of education and art leading into the Renaissance. As well as the historical proceedings that had much to do with the succession of Europe. English playwright William Shakespeare included the term Moor as a synonym for African, so the race of the Moors were actually Black Africans. This has much to do with the outward appearance of this group due to a long history on racial significance. In terms of the audience, "the standard of beauty of the time was that light was beautiful and dark was ugly"(Answers). W <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">hen looking at the Moors it is important to announce that throughout time light colored skin and blonde or red hair was beautiful whereas the Moors were of course dark skinned with dark hair. An example includes Queen Elizabeth and the use of white makeup to make her look very light. However, due to many occurrences throughout time which have turned down these types of people it is the Moors who have continued to resemble a group of highly esteemed scholars and artists which symbolize progression. For others to observe the Moors means to gain more insight into how people are people and they will do extraordinary things, but the race of the Moors in itself brings in more of an audience. This has everything to do with the cultural and historical aim which the Moors have shown to audiences of all people.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">Works Cited: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">"When Black Men Ruled the World: 8 Things The Moors Brought to Europe." //Atlanta Black Star.com.// Atlanta Blackstar 7 Oct. 2013. Web. 24 Mar. 2015 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">"Who were the Moors during Shakespeare's time and how were they viewed." //Answers//. Answers Corporation. Web. 24 Mar. 2015