1. Central Asia
• Superpower vs. Islamic militant & suicidal
extremists hiding in mountain retreats of
Persia/Central Asia.
2. Central Asia
• Superpower uses heavy military might to
impose peace
Persia to destroy their headquarters.
• Terrorists go underground.
• Superpower looks for further signs of
political instability
– Superpower vs. Sunni dictator in Baghdad
• Execution, with help from disenfranchised locals
(Shi’ites).
3. Hulegu vs. Pres. Bush
• Similarities
– Threat
– Assault
– Baghdad
• Consequences?
– Local government (democracy?)
– Assimilation…?
5. Who cares about pastoral peoples?
• Gregory Guzman, “Were the Barbarians a
Negative or Positive Factor in Ancient and
Medieval History?” The Historian (August
1988): 558-72
– Distorted sources?
– Settled peoples relied on nomads
– Cultural diffusion
9. The Chinese Dynasties (sung to the
tune of "Frère Jacques”)
Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han
Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han
Sui, Tang, Song
Sui, Tang, Song
Yuan, Ming, Qing, Republic
Yuan, Ming, Qing, Republic
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong
Similarities
Perceived threat to superpower’s homeland
Assault on international terrorist bases in the mountains of Persia
Seige and assault on Baghdad
Consequences?
Put in place local government (democracy?)
‘Persianization’ of Mongols vs. America
Nomads inherently don’t write, so they don’t leave behind sources. Civilized areas thought they were savages – be careful not to assume their POV
Nomads and settled peoples had tense relationship, but also relied on each other (raiding and mercenaries)
Used as soldiers (Turks and Abbasids; Arabs and Sassanids; Aztecs) and cultural diffusion happens! (Especially important with Mongols)
Mongol Empire is largest land empire in world history – question is whether it was DESTRUCTIVE or CONSTRUCTIVE?
Read through HANDOUT
Debate!
