1. Nomads to World Conquerors
The Mongols
Nomads to World Conquerors

2. Beginnings
Founded by Chinggis Khan (aka Genghis Khan aka Temujin) between
Religion of the Mongols
Shamanism-worshipped a sky god and an earth goddess, Shamans = priests
Social classes
Family of the chiefs (nobles)
Ordinary people- no social distinctions
Women had more power than others at the time

3. Mongol Rule Highest positions in government given to Mongols
Creates resentment among Chinese-they don’t want to be ruled by foreigners

4. Ogedei Comes to power after Chinggis Khan
Launches attacks on the Russians (1230s)
Ogedei dies right before the Mongols march into Austria-Saves Europe from being conquered

5. After Ogedei Known as the Yuan Dynasty
Capital at Khara Khorum (Karakorum)
Learned from their conquered people
Ex. Gunpowder from China
Pax Mongolica (Mongol Peace)-period of revived trade and unity, but closely monitored by the Mongols
Tolerance for other Religions- Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist representatives at Khara Khorum

6. Khubilai Khan (aka Kublai Khan)
Ruled
Rejected Chinese culture- no civil service exams
Defeated much of South China and Korea; failed to conquer Japan

7. Decline and Division Never implemented a bureaucratic structure
No uniform standards/policies/languages-hurts unity of empire
Major disease in 1330s kills 10% of population
Fighting occurs between rulers-divide up the empire in after peasant uprising; Yuan Khanate replaced becomes the Ming Dynasty

9. Khanates Il-Khanate- Iran/Middle East
Eventually adopts Islam
Dissolves in 1335
Qipchaq Khanate/Golden Horde-Russia
Some Muslims, Some Eastern Orthodox
Kiev had been an important city prior to Mongol Takeover
Muscovy emerges as “New Kiev”- led by Ivan III, overthrow the Khanate in 1502
Chaghatai Khanate- modern day Mongolia
1350-Timur the Lame aka Tamerlane comes to power
Conquered much of modern day Iran, Afghanistan, North India. Etc.
Capital= Samarkand
Ends shortly after his death in 1405