What significance did the domination of southern Spain by the Umayyad Caliphate have on European culture?
Europeans became dependent on goods from the Middle East and Asia.
Spaniards migrated to Africa to escape the invasion of the Umayyad Caliphate.
Spain became the center of Muslim culture due to the increased volume of art and architecture.
An influx of gold from Mansa Musa I’s empire improved the European economy
I believe it's the first one because Europe's economy relied strongly on Asian goods. Am I correct?
I agree.
Yes, you are correct! The significance of the domination of southern Spain by the Umayyad Caliphate on European culture lies in the fact that Europeans became dependent on goods from the Middle East and Asia.
To explain further, during the time of the Umayyad Caliphate, which ruled southern Spain from the 8th to the 13th centuries, there was a flourishing trade network that connected southern Spain with the rest of the Islamic world. This trade network facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas between Europe and the Middle East/Asia.
One of the most prominent trade routes during this period was the Silk Road, which connected the East and the West. European merchants, especially those from regions under Muslim control, were heavily involved in the trade along this route, importing valuable goods such as silk, spices, porcelain, and precious metals from the Middle East and Asia.
The arrival of these exotic goods had a profound impact on European culture. It not only broadened European tastes and preferences but also created a growing demand for these goods. As a result, European economies became increasingly dependent on the importation of goods from the Middle East and Asia.
This cultural and economic influence can still be observed today in various aspects of European culture, ranging from cuisine, fashion, and design, to the spread of ideas and knowledge.
So, in summary, Europe's economy did rely strongly on goods from Asia, and this dependence increased significantly during the period of the Umayyad Caliphate's domination of southern Spain.