Name of conflict: The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids

Time period: Early 16th century

Type of conflict: Religious

Underlying causes: Differences in beliefs in the Muslim religion

Immediate causes: Safavids wanted to purify Islam and get rid of all the Sunnis

Turning points/important events: Ismâ’il lead his Turkic followers to a series of victories on the battlefield, and became emperor

Ending events: The Sunni Ottomans defeated them in the Battle of Chaldiran in 1514

End result: The Sunnis defeated the Shi’a

Short-term effects: The Shi’a Muslims couldn’t spread their religion westward

Long-term effects: Sunni will become the main branch of Islam

Conflict Analysis by: Gianna H.
1450-1750