1. China Yuan Dynasty 4

3. Mongols: Yuan Dynasty Mongols under Genghis Khan Dominate Eurasia
Powerful, mounted military
Aggressive military and political policies
Establish Yuan Dynasty in China in 1280 AD
Dominate surrounding nations
Take on Chinese dress and habits quickly

4. Mongols: Yuan Dynasty
Establish Yuan Dynasty in China in 1280 AD under Kublai Khan
Dominate surrounding nations
Take on Chinese dress and habits quickly

5. Yuan Dynasty Extend China’s power over neighboring nations
Unable to convince Chinese population of their legitimacy, or Mandate of Heaven
Always “Barbarians”

6. Kublai Khan Rules China
Mongol Identity
Kublai Khan tried to rule as Chinese emperor
But took care to see Mongols not absorbed into Chinese culture
Mongols lived apart from Chinese, had little in common
Separation
Individual friendships between Mongols, Chinese discouraged
Mongols forbidden to marry Chinese
Different laws, taxes for Chinese; could not own weapons, serve in military
Limited Power
Kublai Khan distrusted Chinese, limited power
Chinese officials served at local level, could not hold high government posts
Mongols invited foreigners to hold government office

7. Taxes to Trade Peace Foreign Trade
Mongols burdened Chinese with heavy taxes
Large part of taxes supported public-works projects
Chinese laborers built new roads, extended Grand Canal
Improvements made shipping rice, other goods from southern China to northern China easier, more reliable
Mongols posted soldiers throughout China to keep peace
Feared rebellions, particularly in south where many Chinese remained loyal to Song dynasty
Peace
Foreign trade increased
Pax Mongolica made land travel safer for merchants
Sea trade improved; foreign merchants welcomed to China’s ports
Foreign Trade

8. Europeans to China
As a result of Kublai Khan’s foreign trade policies, many merchants, travelers and missionaries came to China. Most were from Southwest Asia and India. However a few came from Europe as well. One of the most famous of these Europeans was Marco Polo.
Marco Polo, Italian trader visited Yuan court
Kublai Kahn sent Polo on several missions; traveled in, around China for 17 years
1295, Polo imprisoned in Venice, recounted tales to fellow prisoner
Marco Polo in China
Polo’s tales published as book
Book fascinated many Europeans
Polo described grand palace, with walls covered in silver, gold
Noted efficiency of postal system, use of paper money
Awed by size, splendor of cities
Accounts of China
Some scholars question whether Polo reached China or just related stories he heard in his travels, but his tales increased interest in China.

9. Yuan Dynasty and the Arts
Cultivated Chinese art and Philosophy to try and build legitimacy

10. Yuan Dynasty: Relations with Korea and Japan
Mongol drive for dominance continues past China
Koryo Dynasty in Korea surrenders and swears allegiance to Yuan Dynasty
Japan refuses to recognize Yuan as their tributary leader

11. Yuan Dynasty: Relations with Korea and Japan
Yuan dynasty invades Japan 1274 AD
Korean built ships, Korean sailors
Invasion repulsed by Japan
2nd Attempt at invasion in
1281 AD
Much larger armada
Mongol marines
Invasion appears to be succeeding

12. Yuan Dynasty and Japan Japan: the islands of the gods or “kami”
Last minute rescue by the gods
Typhoon blows up and sinks the Mongol/Korean armada
Winds are “kaze” in Japanese
Japan saved by divine winds or:
“Kamikaze”

13. Yuan’s Demise
Unable to achieve legitimacy, the Yuan dynasty struggles to maintain control in China
Major drought creates gigantic dust bowl in the Chinese plains
Famine spurs revolt