The statement that best summarizes the causes and effects of the expansion of the Umayyad Caliphate is:
"Because of leadership changes and military conquest, the Umayyad Caliphate expanded to Syria and centralized Islamic power."
Reasoning:
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Leadership Changes: The rise of the Umayyad Caliphate came after the death of Ali and the subsequent turmoil in leadership within the Muslim community, leading to the establishment of the Umayyad dynasty. This change in leadership was crucial as it provided a more centralized authority that could implement conquest-focused policies.
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Military Conquest: The Umayyads were known for their military prowess, which allowed them to expand dramatically across the Middle East, including Syria, North Africa, and parts of the Iberian Peninsula. Their military campaigns were significant in establishing and maintaining control over vast territories.
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Centralization of Power: The expansion enabled the Umayyads to centralize Islamic power effectively, establishing a bureaucratic system and uniting disparate regions under one caliphate, which was essential for the development of Islamic governance and finance.
The other statements either misrepresent the geographic scope of the expansion (like suggesting it was primarily focused on the Arabian Peninsula) or do not adequately address the role of military might and leadership in the context of the Umayyad expansion and its subsequent centralization of power.