Unit 21: Paper 3 (HL) — History of Africa & the Middle East
Topic 21.1: The 'Abbasid dynasty (750–1258) Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB History Topic 21.1. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
1Choose1 mark
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q11
In which year was the Umayyad Caliphate overthrown by the 'Abbasids?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q12
What term describes non-Arab converts to Islam who were taxed by the Umayyads almost as if they were non-Muslims?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q14
Who was proclaimed the first 'Abbasid caliph in Kufa in 749?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.2 - Q11
Choose the caliph who founded Baghdad as the new 'Abbasid capital in 762.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.2 - Q14
Choose the dynasty that controlled Baghdad and reduced the caliph to a figurehead from 945.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.2 - Q15
Choose the event that ended the 'Abbasid dynasty's political power in Iraq in 1258.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.2 - Q12
Choose the family of Persian viziers that Harun al-Rashid relied on before purging them in 803.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q15
Why was Abu Muslim executed by Caliph al-Mansur in 755?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q13
Which province served as the main base from which the 'Abbasid revolt was organised and launched?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.2 - Q13
Choose the institution founded under al-Ma'mun that became the centre of translation and scholarship in Baghdad.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q1
Examine the causes of the 'Abbasid overthrow of the Umayyad Caliphate in 750.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q2
Evaluate the importance of the Hashimiyya movement in bringing about the 'Abbasid Revolution of 750.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q3
Discuss the reasons for the 'Abbasid military victory over the Umayyads between 747 and 750.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q4
To what extent was the foundation of Baghdad in 762 a turning point in the history of the Islamic caliphate?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q5
Examine the consequences of the 'Abbasid Revolution for the Umayyad family and for Shi'a Muslims.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q6
Discuss the role played by Abu Muslim in the overthrow of the Umayyad Caliphate.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q7
Evaluate the view that the 'Abbasid Revolution of 750 was primarily a religious movement rather than a political one.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q8
Compare and contrast the causes of the 'Abbasid overthrow of the Umayyad Caliphate (750) with the causes of the rise of the Zulu kingdom under Shaka (from 1816) as examples of major political transformation.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q9
Analyse the reasons why the 'Abbasids moved the centre of the caliphate from Syria to Iraq after 750.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.1.1 - Q10
To what extent did tribal and regional rivalries, rather than religious grievances, explain the fall of the Umayyad Caliphate?
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