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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
