1. The Mongols

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

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

4. Genghis Khan United clans Enforced total mobilization Great Strategist
All males 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

5. 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)

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

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

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

9. 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