Made up of many nomadic and sedentary societies (reciprocal relationship) Many communities; leads...

From Mongols to Ming

Made up of many nomadic and sedentary societies (reciprocal relationship)

Many communities; leads to extensive trade networks

Skill with horseback warfare Mongols were one of these groups

Central Asian Steppe/Eurasia

Difficult to study, why? Nomadic people of Eurasia- reciprocal

relationships – many communities linked by trade

Great military Horseback cavalry- bows and arrows Adopted new technology Well-organized

The Mongols

Known for their brutality, but tolerant of religious beliefs; encouraged trade

Genghis Khan- 1200s

Main role was to unite the Mongol tribes Penetrated China and India but did not

conquer His sons and grandsons expanded the

empire to include Eurasia, and parts of Europe and the Middle East (conquered Baghdad and ended Abbasid domination)

Largest empire in history

“The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in

tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters”

- Genghis Khan

Four Khanates

After Genghis dies, the empire is divided into four Khanates – what territories were not conquered?

Mongol Rule in China (Yuan dynasty)- 1279-1350 Kublai Khan- Genghis’ grandson Restores and Reunites China Highest government positions reserved

for Mongols, but regional rulers allowed to govern

Bans civil service exam Creates a strict hierarchical system –

Mongols; non-Hans; N. Chinese; S. Chinese. India? Incas?

Increases status of merchants Did not want to be absorbed by the

Chinese

Italian Traveler Visits Kublai Khan’s court Describes the use of paper money, coal,

frequent bathing Also the luxurious design of the Great

Khan’s palace Some historians doubt he ever went…

Marco…Polo…

Marco Polo’s travels

Plague Economy Administration Internal security

Breakdown of Yuan dynasty

Great at warfare, not at administration and nation-building

Absorbed into other cultures; adopted religions and customs

Mongol fall paves way for the Ottoman Empire and the Russian state to rise

Also leads to dominance of Indian Ocean trade network – why?

End of the Mongols

Results of Mongol empire

Facilitated trade- Silk Road- controlled all parts

Spread Black Death – most important long-term result

The Black Death

Bubonic plague – spread by traders from China to Europe; often along Mongol routes but not exclusively

At its height, it killed one in three people Altered political institutions (helped end the

feudal system in Europe) Some regions (Europe, China) were

devastated, others (India) were not

Timur the Lame (Tamerlane)

Jagadai Expands Islamic

territory (attacks Delhi Sultanate 1398 and severely weakens it)

Makes Persian an official language of Islam

Russia and the Golden Horde Mongols convert to Christianity/Islam Russian princes cooperated with Mongols in

exchange for local autonomy After Mongols fall, Russia enacts strict

policies as a reaction to Mongol rule (like China)

Begins in 1300s Fall of Mongols opens the door to Ottomans

(power vacuum)

Ottoman Empire

1368 – the Ming dynasty takes power Adopt “Neoconfucianism” - Confucianism

mixed with Buddhist and Daoist influence – to help obtain capable govt. administrators

Ming Dynasty

China and the Ming fleets Traditionally closed off to

trade and exploration (has many natural resources; increase in cash crops)- foreign policy based on tribute

Zheng He- admiral in the new Ming navy – makes journeys to India and Africa

Yongle In 1433, the Ming voyages

mysteriously stop◦ Confucianists, internal

problems, frontier security

Yi dynasty in Korea Mongols attempt to conquer Japan (1281) Typhoon wipes out much of Mongol fleet

(“kamikaze”) Ashikaga Shogunate- 1338- decentralized

feudalism again- warring Daimyo◦ Zen becomes popular

Korea and Japan