To what extent did military power play a role in the ‘Abassid rise to power?

Candidates are required to consider the role of military power in the rise of the ‘Abbasids. Candidates may refer to the rebellion started in 747, led by Ibrahim the Iman and supported by the people of Khorasan, the battles in Nishapur, Gorgan, Nahavand and Karbala, and the ultimate revolution commanded by Abu al-Abbas as-Saffah in 750–751. Candidates may also suggest that the ‘Abbasids relied heavily on Persian military strength from the Khorasan, where there was both Arab and non-Arab opposition to the Umayyads. Candidates may suggest that the ‘Abbasid rise to power was fuelled by increasing criticism of the Umayyads, who were accused of turning the Caliphate into a dynastic institution, which was dependant on bureaucracy. Candidates may refer to the role of religious opposition to the Umayyads and the ‘Abbasid ability to attract religious leaders to their cause.

Candidates were required to consider the role of military power in the rise of the ‘Abbasids. The responses to this question were quite varied in quality as many candidates focused on the military aspects of the ‘Abbasid rise to power but failed to introduce a range of other factors in order to determine the extent of military influence. A tendency to narrate rather than analyse the process of rise to power was also noticed.