1. The Mongols

2. Lived on the northern Asian steppe Nomadic Highly skilled on horseback Took pride in discipline, ruthlessness, and courage

3. Nomads vs. Settled Societies NOMADS Traveled together in groups called clans Traded horses for goods Sometimes raid communities for goods Great Wall was built to keep them out SETTLED Lived in villages and towns Protected by Chinese Dynasties Engaged in peaceful trade Lived in constant fear of raids

4. Rise of the Mongols United by Genghis Khan or “universal ruler” Unified clans by defeating his rivals one by one Conquered and controlled all of Central Asia

5. Genghis-the man 1.Brilliant organizer 2.Gifted strategist 3.Adopted new technology 4.Used cruelty as a weapon

7. The Mongol Empire His sons divided his empire into sections called “Khanates” Ruled the largest empire in the world

8. The Khanates

9. Effects of Pax Mongolia Mongols imposed stability and law and order across Asia Guaranteed safe passage along the silk road Dramatically increased trade between Asia and Europe This is when Gunpowder and Porcelain reached Europe During this time period the Black Death spreads from China to Italy

10. Kublai Khan Conquers ALL of China Genghis Kahn’s grandson First Mongol to ever rule China Built a grand capital city Could not conquer Japan

11. Marco Polo (not the swimming pool game, the man!) Most famous European to visit China during the Mongol rule He was a trader on the Silk Road He served on government missions for Kublai Kahn His stories were never verified, although is book was widely read, many did not believe it

12. End of Mongol Rule Mongol rule weakened after Kublai Kahn’s death Rebellions broke out in many parts of China Chinese rebel leaders established the Ming Dynasty