Focus – What do you notice about the Mongolian empire from the animated map?

The Mongols

So…who were the Mongols?

From central Asia, north and northwest of China China to the southeast, Russia to the west Asian steppe – dry, grass covered plain Nomadic pastoralist – moving on horseback with a herd of domesticated sheep Traded animals for iron, cloth Sturdy, self-reliant, fierce warriors on horseback

Warfare Technology Tactics Saddles Stirrups Bows and arrows Used extra horses to travel great distances in a day Speed Surprise Adopted new tactics and technologies Ruthless - used fear and intimidation Played off rivalries of enemies

Conquest Conquered settled societies across much of Asia -Built the largest unified land empire in the history of the world

Conquest Genghis Khan United the clans Conquered northern China (Beijing), Central Asia, Persia Died in 1227 Empire split into 4 sections Continued to expand Golden Horde - controlled Russia…got as far as Poland and Austria Il-Khanate – controlled Iran Chagatai Khanate – controlled Central Asia Yuan Empire – controlled China and East Asia Genghis Khan Kublai Khan

Treatment of Conquered - General Tolerated religious differences Encouraged trade Collected tribute from non-resistant foes Pax Mongolia – “Mongolian Peace” Commercial integration of Eurasia through Silk Road Exchange of knowledge and goods between Europe, Middle East, China Disease also spread

Mongol Empire after 1227

Mongolian Rule of Russia Attacks began in 1237, burned almost every city Small ruling class in charge until late-1400s Allowed people to retain government and customs Local landlords collected tribute (taxes) and administered justice Some paid taxes directly to the government Caused the rise of serfdom Retained Eastern Orthodox religion

Influences on Russia Built roads Improved communication Gave rise to city of Moscow Cooperated with Mongols and received favors 1480 – Ivan III (Ivan the Great) overthrew Mongol rule by refusing to pay tribute Moscow remains the center of Russian government Mongol rule isolated Russia from Western European ideas and inventions, setting them behind the rest of Western Europe

Mongolian Rule of the Middle East Destroyed Baghdad Was a brilliant intellectual center Killed Abbasids; rulers all gone Allowed rise of the Ottoman Turks Constantinople conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1453 – renamed Istanbul

Destruction of Baghdad

Mongolian Rule of China Genghis Khan’s grandson Kublai Khan Continued dynastic rule of China Yuan Dynasty, 1271-1368 Used Chinese traditional government Reunified China after years of division New Social Hierarchy Mongols; foreigners; northern Chinese; Southern Chinese No Chinese in top government positions Promoted Buddhism & supported Daoism Dismissed Confucian scholars

Yuan lasting impact on China Improved transportation and trade Grand Canal extended Highways Mail routes to India and Persia Protected trade routes across Asia Improved communication Reunified China after centuries of division

Yuan lasting impact on China Improved central authority Local authorities reported directly to central government Beijing still capital city Believed foreigners were more trustworthy than Chinese Encouraged foreign trade and merchants to live and work in China Brought foreign administrators into China, put them in charge Ming dynasty overthrew the Yuan dynasty in 1368.

Conclusions Success resulted from ability to adapt new technology and strategies, employed non-Mongols to govern (in-direct rule) Stimulated trade and exchange (cultural diffusion) Spurred the beginnings of national or regional identity among conquered peoples Surrounding areas developed a stronger regional identity (common enemy creates unity) and benefited from increased trade, exchange of ideas and technology

Processing Create a warning or alert for Russia, the Middle East, and China. Your warnings should include details about the effect of Mongol rule/conquering from the lesson. Ex. DANGER AHEAD! Mongols seen destroying Baghdad, all women and children should take cover immediately!