1. The Mongols and The Mongol Empire

2. I. Beginnings
Mongol people roamed eastern steppe (vast stretch of dry grassland across Eurasia) in loosely organized clans
Traditionally a nomadic people
Horseback riding an essential part of life
1200 – Temujin, a clan leader, sought to unite Mongols
Fought and defeated his rivals
1206 – accepted title “Genghis Khan”, meaning “universal leader”

3. II. Early Conquests First went after northern China in 1211
Successful in forcing Tangut kingdom to pay tribute
Soon turned attention to Central Asia
Angered by the murder of Mongol traders and ambassador
Gained control by 1225
Why so successful?
Highly organized – influenced by how Chinese military was organized
Gifted strategist – would often trick/surprise enemy
Cruelty as a weapon – believed in terrifying his enemies into surrendering
If a city fought back, would be destroyed, people killed or sold into slavery

4. III. Mongol Empire
Genghis 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
Creation of written Mongol language for recordkeeping and standardization of laws
Mongol rule helped to stabilize some areas – production and trade flourished
Period from mid-13th to mid-14th century called Pax Mongolica (Mongol Peace)
Genghis died in 1227 from illness
Third son, Ogedei, elected grand khan – expanded empire to include Russia, much of the Islamic world, and China

5. III. Continued… Khanates Mongol Map Assignment
Mongol empire divided into four regions, or Khanates, ruled by a descendant of Genghis
Khanate of the Great Khan
Khanate of Chagatai
The Ilkhanate
Khanate of the Golden Horde
Mongol Map Assignment
Label and color the four Khanates.
List 15 present-day countries that the Khanates once occupied (on back of map).

7. IV. Kublai Khan
1260 – grandson of Genghis accepts title of “Great Khan”
Sought to conquer all of China, succeeded 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
Kept Chinese out of higher offices
Believed foreigners were more trustworthy, because no local loyalties
Changes in society
Mongol women refused to adopt policies and practices of Chinese women
Ended bureaucratic examination system
Merchants and artisans experienced increase in status
Reduced peasant taxes, established granary system (food storage)

8. V. 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
Beginning of Ming Dynasty
Most of Mongol Empire fell apart throughout Eurasia in late 1300s, 1400s for similar reasons