Transcript DBQ Muslim vs. Christian Trade

DBQ
MUSLIM VS. CHRISTIAN TRADE
WRITTEN BY TONI-ANN PECK AND PLAGIARIZED BY MR. RAMSEY
INTRODUCTION
Christianity and Islam were two dominant and growing religions from
the 1st and 7th century, respectively. Trade in the two religions differed
greatly at first, one believing that it was sinful, the other embraced it.
However, by the end of the Post Classical era, they became increasingly
similar. Christian teachings warn against a life of trade, whereas Muslims
endorse trade as an accepted way of life (Docs 1,2,3,6). Even with these
differences both preach the necessity of fair trade (Docs 2,4,5,7). By the
fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Muslims and Christians both changed.
Muslims demanding fairer trade and Christians becoming more welcoming
of trade (Docs 4,5,6,7). The perspective of a Muslim ruler is missing from
these documents. In a letter to his financial advisor he would have
expressed his endorsement of trade because it attracted foreigners’ money
while simultaneously introducing them to Islam.
CONTRAST ARGUMENT
Christians speak out against trade because it causes people to covet material gain.
However, Muslims allow fair commerce. In the Bible, Matthew recounts Jesus’ teachings
about merchants, saying that rich men are not likely to go to heaven (Doc. 1). This shows that
Christians found trade sinful; likely because of the tie it creates to earthly possessions. This
document is very reliable because it was written by one of the founders of Christianity. The
Qur’an gives rules governing trade, stating that just transactions will allow a merchant into
heaven (Doc. 2). This shows that Muslims find commerce an acceptable practice, and in fact
endorse fair trade. This source is extremely reliable because it was written by the founder of
Islam. Reginald’s account of St. Godric’s life states that Gordic enjoyed the profits of his trade
less and less as he followed Christianity more absolutely, until he stopped and gave to the
poor (Doc 3). This shows that the Christian faith requires people to think very little about
material wealth, contrary to the requirement of trade to define one’s worth. This document,
however, may not be reliable because it was written right before Godric’s death. Reginald
could have changed it to make St. Godric out as an outstanding individual based on personal
favoritism. Document 6 is a compilation of letters regarding trade. Two from churches
haggling to order religious paintings and wool, and on from a mother telling her son to stop
trading in hopes of more riches (Doc. 6). The letter from mother to son shows how commerce
was adverse to Christianity and undermined it more than anything. All of these documents
show that Christians disapproved of trade, unlike Muslims who made it a large part of their
lives and religion.
COMPARE ARGUMENT
Christianity and Islam also shared the value of fair trade; deceitful trade was
deplorable to both religions. Document 2 shows that Muslims only support equal trade;
unfair commerce is not endorsed by the Qur’an. Thomas Aquinas quotes Matthew in the
Bible and Cicero the Roman writer in his theology rebuking fraud (Doc 4). This shows
that Christians will not pardon the practice of double dealing. Ibn Khaldun writes that
commerce, by definition, is a deceitful practice, full of lies and tricks, but that at the
same time, it’s a natural way of life that still requires Muslims to enact the fair exchange
of goods (Doc 5). This shows that Muslims also knew the nature of the job they
endorsed, and warned against becoming a sinful merchant. The Islamic court of Ankara
judged a case where the Turkish weavers’ guild brought up charges against a merchant
for unfair purchase and hoarding of materials (Doc 7). This shows the animosity that
Muslims hold for unjust commerce. They found it unfair for one person to monopolize on
an industry and leave every other merchant of the same trade with nothing. This source
is reliable because of its state importance. As a government document, there is little
chance of bias being in it. All of these documents show that both Christianity and Islam
are shown to oppose deceptive trading practices.
CHANGE OVER TIME AUGMENT
Christian and Muslim attitudes toward trade changes
significantly over the years, about switching opinions between
them. Document 4 shows that Christians were beginning to
accept trade as a common, honest occupation. Document 5
shows how Muslim intellectuals view trade as changing into a
disreputable occupation, natural as it was. Document 6 shows
that Christians have become use to the trade world, and were
using tactics like waiting for a sale and negotiating for lower
prices. Document 7 shows that Muslims have come to realize
how difficult it is to keep people from cheating each other, and
now are calling for fairer trade. All of these documents show that
opinions and trade between Christians and Muslims had all but
switched places by the fifteenth century. Christians have
become more tolerant and accepting to trade, while Muslims
have made strict laws concerning trade because of its negativity.