1. The Mongols & The Mongol Empire

2. I. Beginnings
Mongol people roamed eastern steppe (vast stretch of dry grassland across Eurasia) in loosely organized clans
Nomadic, pastoralist (herd domesticated animals)
Horseback riding an essential part of life
1200 – Temujin, a young clan leader, sought to unite Mongols under one leadership
Fought and defeated rival clans
1206 – at kuriltai (meeting of all clan chieftains), elected khagan (supreme ruler)
accepted title “Chinggis (or Ghengis) Khan”, meaning “universal leader”

3. II. Early Conquests First went after northern China in 1211
Forced ruler of Tangut kingdom in NW China to pay tribute
Fought and weakened Jin Empire
Soon turned attention to Central Asia
Angered by the murder of Mongol traders and ambassador
Gained control over region by 1225
Why so successful?
Highly organized and trained
Fighting units, called tumens, consisted of 10,000 soldiers, most on horseback
Gifted strategist – would often trick/surprise enemy
Cruelty as a weapon – believed in terrifying enemies into surrendering
If city fought back, would be destroyed, people killed/sold into slavery

4. III. Mongol Empire
Chinggis established capital at Karakorum on steppes north of China
Summoned scholars from all corners of empire
Created government framework based on both Muslim and Chinese ideas/traditions
Creation of written Mongol language for recordkeeping and standardization of laws
Mongol rule helped to stabilize some areas – production and trade flourished between East and West
Period from mid-13th to mid-14th century called Pax Mongolica (Mongol Peace)
Chinggis died in 1227
Third son, Ogedei, elected grand khan – expanded empire to include Russia, much of the Islamic world, and China

5. III. Continued… Divide and conquered
Mongol empire divided into four regions, or Khanates, each ruled by a descendant of Chinggis
Khanate of the Great Khan (Mongolia and China)
Khanate of Chagatai (Central Asia)
The Ilkhanate (Persia)
Khanate of the Golden Horde (Russia)
CHALLENGE QUESTION!

6. IV. Russia Under the Mongols
13th century – Russia divided into many warring kingdoms
Refused to unite to fight Mongols – easily defeated individually
Mongols called Tatars (or tartars), meaning “people from hell”
Russian nobility became vassals of the khan of Golden Horde
Russian people began centuries of feudal bondage
Feudalism in Russia lasts longer, more severe than in West
The good and bad of Mongol rule
Trade with Asia increases and economy grows
Mongol rule led to isolation from West and the Renaissance
Distinct culture – mix of Asian and Western beliefs/traditions

7. V. The Islamic Heartlands
Captured and destroyed Baghdad in 1258
Murdered last Abbasid caliph, along with 800,000 more people (supposedly)
Left Muslim empire without a central authority
Will eventually lead to 3-way split: Ottomans, Mughals, Safavids
Mamluks (led by Baibars) in Egypt led rebellion against Mongols
Cooperated with Christian crusaders in Palestine
Mongols forced to retreat, but remained in control of a vast territory
From edges of Byzantium to Oxus River in central Asia

8. VI. Kublai Khan and China
1260 – grandson of Chinggis accepts title of “Great Khan”
– Succeeded in conquering all of China in 1279
Founded the Yuan Dynasty, lasted less than 100 years
Reunited all of China (including western and northern regions)
Opened China up to more trade/foreign contact
Tolerated Chinese culture, made few changes to government
But, kept Chinese out of higher offices
Believed outsiders were more trustworthy, because no local loyalties

9. VI. Continued… Changes in Chinese society
Mongol women refused to adopt policies and practices of Chinese women
Ended bureaucratic examination system (but it will return)
Merchants and artisans experienced increase in status
Reduced peasant taxes, restored granary (food storage) system

10. VII. End of Mongol Rule Yuan dynasty in China declines
After death of Kublai Khan (1294), Mongols never had as strong of leader
Suffered many defeats in Southeast Asia in later years
Overtaxed population
Rebellions broke out across China, succeeded in overthrowing Yuan in 1368
Led by secret societies, such as White Lotus Society
Most of Mongol Empire fell apart throughout Eurasia in late 1300s, 1400s for similar reasons
Golden Horde would remain the longest, have greatest impact

11. CHALLENGE QUESTION #1
Evaluate these two statements from Chinggis Khan:
"A man's greatest work is to break his enemies, to drive them before him, to take from them all the things that have been theirs, to hear the weeping of those who cherished them.“
"I will rule them by fixed laws [so] that rest and happiness shall prevail in the world.“
What do these two statements tell us about Chinggis Khan?
3-4 sentences
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12. Exit Ticket!
Describe at least one effect/consequence of Mongol conquest in each of the following regions: Russia/Eastern Europe, Middle East, China/East Asia.