The Mongols

Overview Short time of dominance Created largest empire in the world Influenced cultures from Japan to Europe Made trade safe and cheap throughout empire

Background Nomads from Central Asia Lives centered around clan Livestock food Camels transport Horses mobility Strength in mobility

Genghis Khan United clans Enforced total mobilization Great Strategist All males 15-70 required to fight Rewarded with plunder from raids Great Strategist Pretend retreat quick about-face attack Master of psychological warfare Led raids to Central Asia, Tibet, China, Persia Attacked Beijing Died in 1227 while on raids Empire divided amongst sons

Kublai Khan (Yuan) Grandson Defeated Southern Song 1st foreigner to rule China Created Chinese Dynasty (Yuan) Strong central gov’t Foreigners in gov’t positions Chinese separated from Mongols by law Welcomed foreign trade Route connected Beijing to Vienna (Europe)

Hulegu (Ilkhanates) grandson Defeated Abbasid in 1258 Allowed locals to rule Converted to Islam Assimilated (blended) into local culture Facilitated (encouraged) trade

Batu (The Golden Horde) Ruled in Russia Heavy taxes on the poor Trade supported, religions tolerated

Pax Mongolica 100 year long peace throughout empire Safe, cheap trade no tariffs Silk Road at its height 1 currency used

Decline Late attempts to expand failed Japanese typhoons destroyed navy Good conquerors, bad admins short lived empire Bickering among rival successors weakness Empire gone by 1350