3. Analyze the map, what historical connections can you make about why these three countries follow Islam?

*1 point

The Ottoman empire was in control of these nations
The British Empire was in control of these nations
The Byzantine Empire was in control of these nations
The Russian Empire was in control of these nations

The Ottoman Empire was in control of these three countries, which is why they follow Islam.

Based on the given information, there are several historical connections that can be made as to why these three countries (presumably mentioned earlier in the context) follow Islam. Here are the historical connections:

1. The Ottoman Empire was in control of these nations:
The Ottoman Empire, which existed from the 14th to the early 20th century, had a significant impact on the spread and establishment of Islam in many regions. This empire conquered and ruled over vast territories, including countries such as present-day Turkey, parts of the Balkans, and some areas in the Middle East. As an Islamic empire, the Ottomans promoted Islam and implemented Islamic practices and institutions across their dominions, thereby influencing the religious landscape of the regions they controlled.

2. The British Empire was in control of these nations:
During the colonial era, the British Empire established territorial control over various regions, including parts of the Indian subcontinent (present-day Pakistan and Bangladesh) and some countries in the Middle East (such as Iraq and Palestine). Islam was already prevalent in these regions before British colonization, but the British administration and policies had some influence on the religious dynamics. However, it should be noted that the conversion to Islam predates British rule in these areas, and the spread of Islam was primarily driven by various factors such as trade, Sufi missionaries, and local conversions.

3. The Byzantine Empire was in control of these nations:
The Byzantine Empire, which existed from the 4th to the 15th century, had a historical influence on the territories it controlled, particularly in the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean region. While the Byzantine Empire was predominantly Christian (Eastern Orthodox), Islam began to spread in some of these regions following the rise of the Arab Muslim Caliphates in the 7th century. Muslim conquests and subsequent rule led to the spread of Islam in areas previously under Byzantine control, such as parts of present-day Greece, Bulgaria, and Albania.

4. The Russian Empire was in control of these nations:
While it is not explicitly mentioned which countries are being referred to, assuming this is in the context of Central Asia or the Caucasus, it is worth noting that these regions came under Russian control during the 18th and 19th centuries. Prior to Russian colonization, these areas were inhabited by various Turkic and Persian-speaking Islamic communities. As part of the Russian Empire, the territories were subjected to Russian policies, administrative systems, and cultural influences. However, Islam remained a significant religious and cultural force among the local population, with some efforts made by the Russian authorities to control and regulate Islamic institutions.

Overall, it is important to note that while historical empires and external influences played a role in shaping the religious landscape of these regions, the spread and adoption of Islam were multi-dimensional, encompassing various factors such as trade, migration, conquests, and local conversions.