1. The Mongols Mongols on the attack

2. Nomads of the Steppe Geography: steppe divided into West, East –West steppe: Central Asia to Eastern Europe –East steppe: Mongolia Very little rain, extreme temps (-57 to 96 F) Short hardy grass covered steppe

3. Nomadic Life Nomads who herded domesticated animals Depended on herds for food, clothing, housing Divided into clans, or family based groups Tribes (groups of clans) gathered to trade, elect king (ceremonial; little power)

4. Nomadic Life Practically lived on horseback –Arguably most skilled riders in historyskilled riders –Owned 6-10 horses each –Could ride 100+ miles a day –Drank horse’s blood in emergency; raw meat trick Steppe horses –Short legged, large heads (not ponies!) –4 million horses to about 1 million Mongols

5. Nomads vs. Settled Peoples Why conflict? –Nomads needed manufactured goods –Nomads tempted to raid towns, merchants –Strong empires resisted by building large armies, walls

6. Rise of Genghis Khan 1200: a leader, Temujin, united Mongol tribes 1206: named Genghis Khan, meaning “universal leader” Invaded Northern China and destroyed kingdom, devastating population Moved W against Muslims in Central Asia –Emissary story –Slaughter of Khwarezm people until Sultanate surrendered

7. Genghis Khan Brilliant organizer –Standardized troop formations (10000 / 1000 / 100 / 10) along tribal lines Brilliant strategist –Use of missile troops and shock troops –Tricks, strategies of hunt Used skills of captives to benefit army –Ex - siege weapons Used fear, terror to conquer Est. largest geographic empire in historyhistory

8. Mongol Empire Division of Empire (click here)click here a)Khanate of Great Khan (family elected a son of Genghis) b)Khanate of Chagadai (son) c)Ilkhanate (son) d)Khanate of Golden Horde (son)

9. Mongol Rule Genghis died, 1227; son, Tolui, succeeded him Europe “saved” in 1241 w/ death of Tolui Yuan Dynasty (1264-1368) –Government of Mongols Capital moved to Beijing Mongols, foreigners put over Chinese Kept Chinese customs of dynastic name, merit bureaucracy –Silk Road reopened (silk, porcelain) AKA “Great Khanate”

10. Mongol Rule: Marco Polo Venetian merchant who traveled w/ dad to China Arrived in 1275 Became part of court of Kublai Khan; served for 17 years Returned to Europe in 1295

11. End of Mongol Rule in China Fall of Yuan Dynasty –Kublai Khan died 1294 –Breakdown of Mongol war machine Mongols got lazy, soft Very corrupt rulers –Chinese hated Mongols (barbarians) –Famine broke out (floods, disease) –Rebellion broke out, pushed Mongols out –Chinese established the Ming Dynasty First Ming Emperor, Hongwu