The Mongols SAHS
The Asian Steppe
Before the Mongols People have lived in the eastern plains of Asia for 1000s of years Mongols were a small group of nomadic clans Pastoralists = herders that migrate for the benefit of their animals
Temujin Unites the Mongols Born around 1162 CE When he was 40, he united the clans of the Mongols by defeating his rivals Temujin was renamed Genghis Kahn Genghis Kahn = Universal Ruler
What did Genghis Kahn Do? Conquered much of Asia Started with China Ended in the Middle East and Russia Attacked the Muslim nations because they killed two of his ambassadors Made a small, unknown nation one of the most feared people in the world
Genghis the Conqueror Brilliant organizer Proven warriors were given leadership positions Gifted strategist Often outsmarted his opponents Used cruelty as a weapon When he was opposed, he would kill EVERY person living in a given city In the countries that have not yet been overrun by them, everyone spends the night afraid that they may appear there too.
Genghis Khan s Legacy Protected the Silk Road for everyone Standardized Mongol s language and writing Promoted religious tolerance Fathered most of modern-day Mongolia
Death of Genghis Khan Unlike most military leaders, GK died of natural causes (disease) His grandsons continue to expand the Mongol Empire Empire is divided into 4 parts
The Khantes Four sub-empires of the Mongols 1. Great Khan (Mongolia and China) 2. Khanate of Chagatai (Central Asia) 3. Ilkhanate (Middle East) 4. Khanate of the Golden Horde (Russia) Ruled by Genghis Khan s grandsons Successfully kept control of all their territory`
Mongols as Rulers Never were able to rebuild everything they destroyed Tolerant of other religion and customs Many converted to Islam Different cultures in the Khanates divided the Mongol Empire and caused its downfall
Pax Mongolica 100-year period of peace in Eurasia Mongols maintained order and safety Trade expanded rapidly Ideas and technology flowed both ways Europe gets gunpowder Asia gets religion
Bubonic Plague Theory The open trade between Asia and Europe likely helped to spread the plague
Kublai Khan Becomes Emperor The grandson of Genghis Khan Conquered the rest of China (1279) Founded the Yuan Dynasty
Kublai Khan s Attempt on Japan KK failed twice trying to invade Japan Used slave Korean labor to build boats The second attempt failed due to a typhoon that destroyed the Mongol fleet
Mongol Rule in China I have heard that one can conquer the empire on horseback, but one cannot govern it on horseback. -Kublai Khan
Why is the Yuan Dynasty Important? 1. United China for the 1 st time in 300 years 2. Opened China to foreign contacts and trade 3. Even though they were outsiders, they tolerated Chinese culture Still used Mongols as the upper level rulers 4. Moved the capital to Beijing
Mongols and Chinese Mongols had little in common with China Both were segregated from each other Highest government posts went to Mongols or other foreigners Chinese could not be trusted Kublai Khan improved China (Roads, canals, bigger cities, food)
Foreign Trade Because of the Pax Mongolica trade increase Spread Chinese knowledge Foreign merchants were encouraged to visit China
Marco.Polo Most famous European to visit China Was a teenager when he left for China with his father Stayed in China for 17 years Government official for Kublai Khan
The Travels of Marco Polo Book written and sent throughout Europe Most Europeans thought that the whole thing was a lie
End of the Mongol Rule in China The Mongols became stretched too thin when they tried to invade Southeast Asia Most money was spent on luxuries, not necessities After Kublai Khan s death, the family fought for control Chinese wanted their country back and revolted
Mongol Empire Declines Mongols lost control of all four Khanates When Russia defeated the Mongols, they retreated back to their homeland Today, Mongol hold many of historic, traditional ways of life
Mongolia Questions 1. Describe the leadership style of Genghis Khan: 2. What were the accomplishments of Marco Polo? 3. Who is Kublai Khan? 4. What are the achievements/legacies of the Yuan dynasty?