Pastoral Peoples, Mongols, and Yuan Dynasty

The Extent of the Mongol Empire The Mongols built a vast empire across much of Asia, founded the Yuan dynasty in China, and opened China and the region to greater foreign contacts and trade.

The Mongols Nomads from the Steppe Fierce Warriors In the 1200s a nomadic people called the Mongols burst forth from Central Asia to create the largest land empire in history. Vast steppes, grasslands, stretch across north-central Eurasia, home to nomadic peoples Steppes too dry for farming Nomads relied on herds of domesticated animals Often traded; but also swept down on settlements, took what they wanted Nomads from the Steppe Like Huns, Turks, the Mongols emerged as powerful nomadic people on Central Asian steppes Herded sheep, goats Skilled with horses Accustomed to living in harsh environment, competing for scarce resources Tough people, fierce warriors Fierce Warriors

Mongolian Steppes Steppe- A vast semiarid grass-covered plain, as found in southeast Europe, Siberia, and central North America.

Xinjiang Region – Typical Uygher [Mongol] “Yurt” A yurt is a portable, bent wood-framed dwelling structure traditionally used by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia. Insulated with sheep wool in the walls and the roof.

The Universal Ruler Separate Clans Genghis Khan Campaign of Conquest Mongols divided into separate clans, each led by a khan, chief Khans rose to power through military skills, ability to lead 1100s, Temujin, powerful khan, began to conquer rivals, unite Mongol clans Genghis Khan 1206, Temujin completed task, took name Genghis Khan, “Universal Ruler” Set out to build empire, organized Mongols into powerful military machine Strict discipline, demanded loyalty, rewarded those who pleased him Campaign of Conquest Mongol forces began bloody campaign of conquest; highly mobile armies Employed brutality, psychological warfare; burned towns, killed inhabitants Sent agents ahead to instill fear; soon people surrendered without a fight Chingghis Khan when elected the ultimate ruler, or KHAN of the Mongol tribe. He managed to break individual clan loyalties and construct new military units with allegiance to himself as the leader. Masters of the shortbow. Mongol contact with the Chinese also introduced them to other weapons of war such as catapult, gun powder, cannons, flaming arrows and battering rams. When Chigghis Khan died in 1227 the Mongols controlled an empire that extended from Northern China to eastern Persia.

Mongol Invasions

Mongol Warriors What do we remember from our reading about Mongol warriors? Learn to walk they could ride a horse Had lots of weapons lances, hatchets, and iron maces, short bow the most powerful. 350 yards away. Lifestyle bread mobility Messenger system? Does anyone remember this from the the reading?

Mongol Archer How did the Mongol’s ride? Shoot a short bow while ducking under a horses belly or leaning over the horse’s rump. Mongol army was entirely cavalry meant they moved to rapidly that their advances alone could demoralize there enemy.

The Mongol Empire The Mongol Empire Khanates Genghis Kahn led Mongols in conquering much of Asia Mongols learned art of siege warfare, gunpowder in fights against Chinese, Turks At Genghis Kahn’s death, 1227, Mongols controlled much of northern China, Central Asia Sons, grandsons took up challenge of world conquest The Mongol Empire Genghis Kahn’s empire divided into four khanates, heir ruled each region; new Great Khan ruled over whole empire Grandsons resumed efforts to complete conquests of China, Korea, Persia 1236, Golden Horde, or Tartars, began conquering Russia, Poland, Hungary Khanates Mongols executed the only successful winter invasion of Russia in history. Cities that resisted Mongol advances saw their inhabitants massacred or sold into slavery.

Mongol Rule-under Chingghis Temujin --> Genghis Khan [“Universal Ruler”] 1162 – 1227 Illiterate/not ignorant Consulted with Confucian scholars on how to rule China,design weapons, improve trade with further lands to the east and the west. Secure trade routes prosperous merchants and wealthy cities All religions were tolerated .

The MONGOLS [“Golden Horde”] Genghis Khan’s Tax Laws: If you do not pay homage, we will take your prosperity. If you do not have prosperity, we will take your children. If you do not have children, we will take your wife. If you do not have a wife, we will take your head. Used cruelty as a weapon  some areas never recovered from Mongol destruction!

Effects of Mongol occupation in Russia Serfdom arose as peasants gave up lands to the aristocracy in exchange for protection Mongol rule kept Russia culturally isolated from Western European trends such as the Renaissance. Moscow benefited financially by acting as a tribute collector for the Mongols. Strengthen the Orthodox church by making the head of Orthodox church head of the Russian church. Established presence in Russia- next goals were to conquer Europe Attempted conquest of Hungary in 1240 Left to handle succession issues in their own capital of Karakorum Proposed conquest of Europe never materialized.

Gold Saddle Arch – Mongols, 13c

Gold Saddle, Front View – Mongols, 13c

Golden Horde stood ready to invade western Europe The Golden Horde Golden Horde stood ready to invade western Europe Grandson Batu learned of Great Kahn’s death, suddenly turned back India, Western Europe escaped Mongol wrath Most of Eurasia devastated Millions had died, entire cities annihilated

The Mongol Peace Stability in Asia Mongols built empire with brutality, ruled peacefully Tolerated local beliefs, ways of life, allowed local rulers to stay in power as long as they paid tribute to Mongols Some Mongols adopted aspects of more civilized cultures; Mongols in Central Asia, Persia, adopted Islam Stability in Asia Mongol Empire established peace, stability across Asia Some historians call period Pax Mongolica, “Mongol Peace” Guarded trade routes across Asia, allowed trade to increase; people, goods, ideas flowed across Asia Some believe Black Plague spread from Asia to Europe during period

Mongol Nobleman, Short bow,

Robe of a Mongol Nobleman, early 14c

Yuan Golden Bowl, 13c

Yuan Porcelains & Ceramics

How were the Mongols able to build a vast empire across much of Eurasia? Answer(s): army was skilled and well organized, rules promoted loyalty and obedience; tactics involved brutality and psychological warfare; built fear in those they conquered

Kublai Kahn Rules China The Yuan Dynasty Great Kahn 1260, Kublai Khan became Great Kahn of Mongol Empire Determined to complete conquest of China begun in 1235 Southern Song Mongols ruled northern China Southern Song dynasty ruled in south, fiercely resisted Mongols 1279, Song defeated; Kublai Khan created Yuan dynasty Kublai Kahn Rules China As emperor, Kublai Khan tried to gain loyalty of Chinese subjects Adopted Chinese practices, gave dynasty Chinese name New Capital Kublai Khan moved capital to near what is now Beijing Built Chinese-style walled city, lavish palace, adopted Chinese court ceremonies

Above is a picture of Suzhou in Jiangsu province showing houses along the Grand Canal. From north to south, the Grand Canal is over 1,700 kilometers (roughly 1,100 miles) long, linking Hangzhou in Zhejiang province with Beijing in the north. An extremely important water project that was first started in the Sui dynasty (589-618), it connects several big rivers and provides an important means of transportation and communication. With the two pictures below in mind, how do you think the access to rivers and lakes would have made the lifestyle of people in the south different from that of people in the north?

Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty, 1279-1368 C.E. Kublai Khan [r. 1260-1294] Pax Mongolica [“Mongol Peace”] Tolerated Chinese culture but lived apart from them.  No Chinese in top govt. posts. Believed foreigner were more trustworthy. Encouraged foreign trade & foreign merchants to live and work in China. Marco Polo The Han Synthesis term refers to the emphasis on Legalism, but with a touch of Confucianism. The Han dynasty recorded Confucius’s teachings (The Analects) and put a big emphasis on the family. Founded the Imperial University Required examinations to become bureaucrat (civil service system) Soldiers dropped to lowest status. Confucianists at work; Daoists at home. The Han tried to replace literature, including Confucius’s writings, lost during the Qin Dynasty. Created new works of literature and music. Scroll painting began during this time. Iron was now used for plows and weapons. Acupuncture was invented. Invented a crude seismic sensing tool, so they could send troops and food to the scene of an earthquake! Inventions include: paper (105 CE), sternpost rudder on ships, water mill, wheelbarrow, furrowed cultivation Show map for Silk Road trade. It brought Chinese together into one civilization, creating a common culture. Economically, it brought much wealth to the Han, as they exported much more than they imported. Wudi’s public schools taught Confucianism. Grand School in capital. In 100 years, 30,000 studied there.

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

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

How did Mongol rule in the Yuan dynasty affect life for the Chinese? Summarize How did Mongol rule in the Yuan dynasty affect life for the Chinese? Answer(s): made the Chinese subordinate to the Mongols; limited their power

End of the Yuan Dynasty The Yuan dynasty weakened during the last part of Kublai Khan’s reign. One cause was a number of military defeats. All of his invasions into Southeast Asia failed, and Mongol armies suffered huge losses. Kublai Khan had set sights on conquering Japan Tried to invade Japan twice Disastrous results each time Japan First attempt: 900 ships attacked Japan, storm destroyed fleet Second attempt: Khan sent larger fleet, severe storm again wiped out fleet Attacks After two fleets destroyed by storms, Mongols never attempted Japanese invasion Japanese called storms that saved them kamikaze, “divine wind” Kamikaze

Mongol Warriors

Military and Monetary Losses Huge military losses in Japan weakened Mongol forces that controlled, protected China Large amounts spent on public-works projects weakened economy Weaknesses, Chinese resentment of Mongols, left empire ripe for rebellion Black Plague was spread by Mongols in the mid 1300s Weaknesses 1294, Kublai Khan died, power struggles erupted. He became more concerned with accumulation of wealth than the efficient administration. Khan’s successors lacked talent for leadership Floods, rising taxes further increased discontent 1300s, Chinese rebelled, defeated Mongols Mongols fled to Manchuria, ending foreign rule in China by 1368 End of Dynasty

Identify Cause and Effect What factors led to the end of the Yuan dynasty? Answer(s): military defeats and failed invasions; lack of good leadership; power struggles; Chinese discontent