Mongol Empire

Genghis Khan

and the Mongol Empire

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_NPgMMazF4

Growth of Empire

I. Introduction to the MongolsA. Mongols ended/interrupted many great postclassical empires

B. Extended world network – foundation for interaction on global scaleC. Forged mightiest war machineD. Four khanates – sons divided1. Ruled for 150 years2. Last time nomadic peoples dominated sedentary peoplesE. Paradox of rule – fierce fighters vs. tolerant/peaceful leadersF. Russia controlled by Khanate of Golden Horde

II. The Mongol Empire of Genghis KhanA. Who were the Mongols?

1. Nomadic world – excellent horsemen & archersa. Lived on herds – meat, milk, traded hides for grain/vegetablesb. Children ride and use bow from early age2. Originated in Asian Steppe - Cen. Asian plains3. Political organizationa. Like Bedouins – kin/clan based – combined in confederations when needed 4. Traditional religion = Shamanism - animistic5. Unified 1st by Genghis Khan = Mongol Empirea. established capital at Karakoram = power shift to E.Asia

III. Mongol Habit of Cultural Adaptation A. Mongols Borrowed Culture1. written lang. from Turks2. law code from China3. paper currency from China4. new religious beliefs = Buddhism + Islam + Christianity

IV. The Mongol War MachineA. Genghis Khan’s leadership

1. organization, discipline, unity2. directed fighting spirit toward conquest

B. Tumens (divisions) = 10,000 men eachC. New weapons – flaming arrows, gunpowder, siege weaponsD. Superior tactics - trick enemy to attack; then surround & attack flanksE. Superior skills - Horsemanship and archery skills unmatchedF. Conquer from China to E. Europe G. Few areas out of reach - Mongol failures:

1. W. Europe2. Japan – failed twice3. NE. Africa - defeated by Mamluks4. India – Delhi Sultanate

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Mongol_Empire_map.gif/300px-Mongol_Empire_map.gif

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Mongol Empire at death of Genghis Khan - 1227

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Expansion of Empire after Genghis Khan

V. Impacts of the MongolsA. Silk Road trade reopened/revitalized

1. SR cities like Samarkand and Bukhara flourished2. International contacts increased

B. Pax Mongolica1. Single political authority across vast territory2. Many conquered peoples left to govern themselves3. Increased safety through Central Asia

C. Bubonic Plague “Black Death”1. Spreads west through Mongol world2. Devastates Asia and European pop.

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Black Death Spreads Across Mongol Empire to Europe

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The Geography of the Mongol Empire

1. Describe in detail the geographic extent of the Mongol Empire (map 1).

2. Which large regions of Asia generally escaped Mongol rule? Provide some possible explanation for each region (map 1

3. What role/s do you think the Steppes played in the creation of the Mongol Empire (map 2)?

4. Why do you think Japan avoided invasion? North Africa?

1. 2.

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Questions from Mongols Crash Course

1. How many years did it take the Mongol Empire to surpass the size of the Roman

Empire?

2. Sum up the explanation for the relative equality between Mongol men and women.

3. Which 2 innovations helped Genghis Khan consolidate/build his power?

4. Which Khanate controlled Russia?

5. Genghis Khan’s army was built on which two things?

6. Which trade route’s value and use reemerged because

of Mongol rule?

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Mongol Commerce in China and PersiaBriefly summarize (note form) Mongol

economic contributions in each region,

& create an image representing that

contribution.

Contribution: Image:

Contribution: Image:

Contribution: Image:Contribution: Image:

Contribution: Image:

Persia

China

Yuan Dynasty

• Kublai Khan finished conquering the Song dynasty in 1276

– Launched two failed invasions of Japan

• New Social Hierarchy

– Mongols; foreigners; northern Chinese; Southern Chinese

• Ended exam system

• Favored merchants & peasants over elites

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Fall of Yuan Dynasty – End of Mongol rule

in China

- After Kublai Khan’s death

- Loss of focus on ruling

- White Lotus Sect leads successful

rebellion

- Rebel leader founds Ming Dynasty

Overall Decline of the Mongols

• Mongols too few in number• Mongol rule resented• Increase use of firearms

Yuan Social Policies

• Mongols could not settle in China

• Outlawed intermarriage

• Promoted Buddhism & supported Daoism

• Mongol women refused to adopt Chinese customs

– Retained influential status

– Resisted footbinding

VI. Last of Mongol LeadersA. Timur – i lang = Timur or Tamerlane

1. Attempted to repeat conquests of G. Khan2. Conquered Cen. Asia, Persia, N. India, S. Russia + parts of Mid. East.3. Expansion ends with Timur’s death4. Decendents ruled Cen. Asia (Samarkand & Bukhara) until 1500’s

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Decline of Mongol

rule in China

Fall of Yuan

Dynasty

Uprisings and

protests among

Chinese

Scholars

Actions/efforts of

White Lotus Sect

Frequent

rebellions

against Mongol

rule

After Kublai

Khan’s death:

loss of focus on

ruling