Mongol Empire

1. Genghis Khan
and the Mongol Empire

2. 2

3. 3

4. 4

5. 5

6. 6

7. 7

8. 8

9. 9

10. 10

11. 11
Growth of Empire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_NPgMMazF4

12. I. Introduction to the Mongols
A. Mongols ended/interrupted many great postclassical empires
B. Extended world network – foundation for interaction on global scale
C. Forged mightiest war machine
D. Four khanates – sons divided
1. Ruled for 150 years
2. Last time nomadic peoples dominated sedentary peoples
E. Paradox of rule – fierce fighters vs. tolerant/peaceful leaders
F. Russia controlled by Khanate of Golden Horde

13. II. The Mongol Empire of Genghis Khan
A. Who were the Mongols?
1. Nomadic world – excellent horsemen & archers
a. Lived on herds – meat, milk, traded hides for grain/vegetables
b. Children ride and use bow from early age
2. Originated in Asian Steppe - Cen. Asian plains
3. Political organization
a. Like Bedouins – kin/clan based – combined in confederations
when needed
4. Traditional religion = Shamanism - animistic
5. Unified 1st by Genghis Khan = Mongol Empire
a. established capital at Karakoram = power shift to E.Asia

14. III. Mongol Habit of Cultural Adaptation
A. Mongols Borrowed Culture
1. written lang. from Turks
2. law code from China
3. paper currency from China
4. new religious beliefs = Buddhism + Islam + Christianity

15. IV. The Mongol War Machine
A. Genghis Khan’s leadership
1. organization, discipline, unity
2. directed fighting spirit toward conquest
B. Tumens (divisions) = 10,000 men each
C. New weapons – flaming arrows, gunpowder, siege weapons
D. Superior tactics - trick enemy to attack; then surround & attack flanks
E. Superior skills - Horsemanship and archery skills unmatched
F. Conquer from China to E. Europe
G. Few areas out of reach - Mongol failures:
1. W. Europe
2. Japan – failed twice
3. NE. Africa - defeated by Mamluks
4. India – Delhi Sultanate
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Mongol_E
mpire_map.gif/300px-Mongol_Empire_map.gif

16. Mongol Empire at death of Genghis Khan - 1227
16

17. 17
Expansion of Empire after Genghis Khan

18. V. Impacts of the Mongols
A. Silk Road trade reopened/revitalized
1. SR cities like Samarkand and Bukhara flourished
2. International contacts increased
B. Pax Mongolica
1. Single political authority across vast territory
2. Many conquered peoples left to govern themselves
3. Increased safety through Central Asia
C. Bubonic Plague “Black Death”
1. Spreads west through Mongol world
2. Devastates Asia and European pop.

19. 19
Black Death Spreads Across Mongol Empire to Europe

20. 20

21. 21

22. 22
The Geography of the Mongol Empire
1. Describe in detail the geographic extent of the Mongol Empire (map 1).
2. Which large regions of Asia generally escaped Mongol rule? Provide some possible explanation for each region (map 1
3. What role/s do you think the Steppes played in the creation of the Mongol Empire (map 2)?
4. Why do you think Japan avoided invasion? North Africa?
1. 2.

23. 23
Questions from Mongols Crash Course
1. How many years did it take the Mongol Empire to surpass the size of the Roman
Empire?
2. Sum up the explanation for the relative equality between Mongol men and women.
3. Which 2 innovations helped Genghis Khan consolidate/build his power?
4. Which Khanate controlled Russia?
5. Genghis Khan’s army was built on which two things?
6. Which trade route’s value and use reemerged because
of Mongol rule?

24. 24
Briefly summarize (note form) Mongol Mongol Commerce in China and Persia
economic contributions in each region,
& create an image representing that
contribution.
Contribution: Image:
Contribution: Image:
Contribution: Image:
Persia
China
Contribution: Image: Contribution: Image:

25. Yuan Dynasty
• Kublai Khan finished
conquering the Song
dynasty in 1276
– Launched two failed
invasions of Japan
• New Social Hierarchy
– Mongols; foreigners;
northern Chinese;
Southern Chinese
• Ended exam system
• Favored merchants &
peasants over elites

26. Fall of Yuan Dynasty – End of Mongol rule
in China
- After Kublai Khan’s death
26
- Loss of focus on ruling
- White Lotus Sect leads successful
rebellion
- Rebel leader founds Ming Dynasty

27. Overall Decline of the Mongols
• Mongols too few in number
• Mongol rule resented
• Increase use of firearms

28. Yuan Social Policies
• Mongols could not settle
in China
• Outlawed intermarriage
• Promoted Buddhism &
supported Daoism
• Mongol women refused
to adopt Chinese
customs
– Retained influential status
– Resisted footbinding

29. VI. Last of Mongol Leaders
A. Timur – i lang = Timur or Tamerlane
1. Attempted to repeat conquests of G. Khan
2. Conquered Cen. Asia, Persia, N. India, S. Russia + parts of Mid. East.
3. Expansion ends with Timur’s death
4. Decendents ruled Cen. Asia (Samarkand & Bukhara) until 1500’s

30. 30
Decline of Mongol
rule in China
Fall of Yuan
Dynasty
Uprisings and
protests among
Chinese
Scholars
Actions/efforts of
White Lotus Sect
After Kublai
Khan’s death:
loss of focus on
ruling
Frequent
rebellions
against Mongol
rule