MONGOL EMPIRE Mongols were a pastoral people from the region of modern day Mongolia . They were organized loosely into clans. 1
Temujin – gradually unified the Mongols. 1206 the Mongols elected a leader named Temujin as the Genghis Khan “strong ruler”- he devoted himself to conquest. He moved his troops into the quasi-Chinese Chin-ruled north China in 1211 and 1234 they destroyed the capital city. Mongols brought much of the Eurasian landmass under a single rule, creating the largest land empire in history. Mongol armies traveled both to the west and to the east. Some went as far as central Europe. 2
AFTER THE DEATH OF GENGHIS KHAN IN 1227 The empire began to change. The united Genghis Khan empire was divided into territories called KHANATES each under the rule. 1231 – Mongols attacked Persia and then 1258- defeated the Abbasids at Baghdad 3
THE MONGOL DYNASTY IN CHINA KUBLAI KHAN –(Genghis Khan’s grandson) completed the conquest of the Song and established a new Chinese dynasty, the Yuan. He ruled China from 1279 -1294. Established his capital at Khanbaliq (“the city of the Khan”) in northern China. Later the city would be known by Chinese name Beijing. 4
KUBLAI KHAN LEADERSHIP Dynasty continued to expand the empire. Conquered Vietnam. 5
GOVERNMENT Adapted Chinese system of government. He abolished the civil service exams Established separate rules for the Mongols and for the Chinese. Confucian principles. 6
THE RISE OF THE JAPANESE STATE Japan is a chain of many islands. Land Area: approx. 146,000sq miles or 378,000sq km. Main Islands: (a) Hokkaido (b) Honshu (c) Kyushu (d) Shikoku
Shotoku Taishi – the prince of the Yamato clan, tried to unify the various Japanese clans in order to more effectively resist an invasion by the Chinese.
Shotoku’s Accomplishments: Created a centralized government under a supreme ruler; ruler portrayed as divine.
LEADERS OF EARLY ASIA Leader: Genghis Khan Place of Origin: Mongolia Accomplishment(s): Brought entire Eurasian landmass under his control. Created largest land empire in history.
Leader: Kublai Khan Place of Origin: Mongolia Accomplishment: 1. established Khanbaliq, conquered the Song dynasty in China and invaded Vietnam temporarily and Java, Sumatra, and Japan unsuccessfully.
Leader: Shotoku Taishi Place of Origin: Japan Accomplishments: Created centralized government under a supreme ruler; ruler portrayed as divine.
Leader: Minamoto Yoritomo Place of Origin: Japan Accomplishments: Created shogunate and moved center of control to Tokyo.