1. The Mongols

2. The Mongol Empires United most of Asia in the 1200s
Largest land empire the world has ever seen
Joined together civilizations across Asia and allowed trade to flourish

3. Rise of the Mongols Also known as Tatars or Tartars
Arose on the steppes of Central Asia
Were nomads and livestock herders
Were excellent horsemen and archers
Were perceived as barbarians – they did not have fixed settlements

4. Genghis Khan United around 1200 by Genghis Khan (Temujin)
Born around 1155?
Disgraced as a child
Rose to be a leader of his tribe

5. Genghis Khan Rose to be a leader of his tribe
In 1206 he united dozens of tribes under his control – proclaimed khan or ruler – took title of Genghis (strength)
Led the Mongols in the conquest of China

6. Conquest of China In 1211 attacked Chinese state of Xi Xia
Later attacked northern China
By 1218 he turned his attention westward and attacked the Asian land empires

7. Conquest of China By 1220 he was attacking Herat in Afghanistan
Also continued the conquest of China
Died in 1227

8. Reasons for Mongol Success
Large numbers – 3 million in 1200?
Very good cavalrymen, Talented archers
New military tactics – everything was organized in a military fashion
Were able to incorporate advanced military tactics from conquered peoples to capture walled towns/cities

9. Pax Mongolica After 1227, GK son’s continued his conquests
Ögödei
Built Karakorum as capital
Moved into northern and western China
Forced Korea into tributary status

10. Pax Mongolica Moved into Europe in 1236
Gave command of a large invasion force to Batu (150, ,000 troops)
By 1240 they had pushed into eastern Europe
Caused tremendous panic
After 1241 they stopped their advanced because of the death of Ögödei

11. Pax Mongolica
Returned to Asia – did conquer most of Russia and the Ukraine
Ruled over the area for 200 years as the Golden Horde
By 1250 the empire stretched from China to Europe
Advance was only stopped in Egypt
Were able to pacify Asia

12. Pax Mongolica
Peace meant that a single political authority made overland trade possible for the first time in 800 years
Along with trade went the exchange of religious and cultural ideas
Proved to be very capable administrators
Created a law code for the entire area
Adopted either Islam or Buddhism

13. Breakup of Mongol Empire
“One can conquer an empire on horseback, but cannot govern an empire from horseback.”
Empire began to break apart of its peak, after 1260
Faced problems of communication over a large territory
Broke into several units

14. Breakup of Mongol Empire

15. Breakup of Mongol Empire
Domain of the Great Khan (Mongolia, China, and territories to the south and east)
Ruled by Kublai Khan
Shifted focus to China

16. Breakup of Mongol Empire
Golden Horde or Kipchak Empire (Russia and eastern Europe)
Retained control over Russia until mid-1400s
Rule ended by the power of Moscow
Left a large and powerful Russian state in its wake

17. Breakup of Mongol Empire
Jagatai Khanate (Central Asia)
Converted to Islam
Warlord Timur or Tamerlane attempted to repeat the success of Genghis Khan
Conquered central Asia, Peria, Crimea, and northern India in a very bloody military campaign that ended upon his death in 1405

18. Breakup of Mongol Empire
Il-Khan Empire (Middle East)
Weakened by attacks from the Jagatais
Ruled over the Silk Road