1. Mongol Empire The Mongols were nomadic herders of goats and sheep who lived off, and traded, the products of their animals. Boys and girls learned to ride as soon as they could walk Kin-related clans Great confederations were organized temporarily for defensive and offensive operations.

2. Mongol Empire Males held dominate leadership positions; women held considerable influence within the family. Leaders were elected by free males Gained positions through courage, diplomacy. Maintain positions as long as they were successful

3. Chinggis Khan and conquests Kabul Khan (12 th century) dies, Chinggis Khan gains strength among the Mongols through alliances with more powerful groups Becomes supreme ruler (khagan) of all Mongols in 1206. Mongols males trained to ride, fight, hunt from youth Speed and mobility—world’s best military Messenger force and spies

4. Chinggis Khan and conquests Code—punishments and rewards Gunpowder and cannons Under C.Khan the Mongols defeat Northwestern China Then attack Qin—cities were sacked, inhabitants killed or made slaves, submission avoided this fate; tribute paid for deliverance. Move onto Turkey, brings Turkic horsemen into army. Dies in 1227—Persia to the North China Sea

5. Society Fearsome warriors and tolerant rulers. C. Khan open to new ideas and create a peaceful empire Drew talented individuals from all regions Tolerated all religions Used Muslim and Chinese knowledge to build administrative structure Artisans and scholars worked freely Commerce flourished along secure trade routes

6. Russia Became vassals of the “Golden Horde.” Russians princes paid tribute Peasants had to meet demands of princes and Mongols. Many became serfs for protection. Huge part of Russian society Moscow benefits from commerce and becomes a “metropolitan”

7. Russia Moscow leads revolution against Mongols. 14 th century Mongols influenced their military, political organization and isolate them from developments in western Europe