The Yuan Dynasty marked the rule of China by the Mongol Empire beginning in 1279, after the Song Dynasty was conquered. The Mongols were originally nomadic tribes from northern China led by the powerful khan Genghis Khan in the early 13th century. Genghis Khan and his armies went on to create the largest contiguous empire in world history through their highly disciplined forces and conquests across Asia and Eastern Europe. Following Genghis Khan's death, his sons and grandsons continued expanding the Mongol Empire, with his grandson Kublai Khan eventually proclaiming the Yuan Dynasty in China in 1279, establishing Mongol control over much of China.

1. The Yuan Dynasty
The Mongols Rule China

2. The Song Dynasty ends and the
Yuan Dynasty begins
• Song Dynasty = 960-1279
• Yuan Dynasty = 1279-1368
The Yuan Dyansty
=
Part of the Mongol Empire

3. The Mongol Empire

4. The Mongol Empire

5. The Mongol Empire

6. The Yuan Dynasty - The Mongol control of China

7. The Backstory . . .
Mongols were nomadic peoples from the north
of China – originally lived as separate tribes
→in 1206 a powerful leader (khan) united them
↓
He was given a new title . . . “Universal Ruler”
= Genghis Khan

8. Genghis Khan 1165-1227
• illiterate
• born to a noble family
• 1207: set out to conquer an empire
• The warrior:
– an organizational & strategic genius
– created one of the most highly disciplined &
effective armies in history
– Led brutal, bloody attacks on Asia & E. Europe
– G.K. & his men killed all of the men, women & kids
in countless cities & villages

9. Genghis Khan continued . . .
• Within 20 years (after 1206) he ruled a large part
of Asia
• 1st led his armies into China in 1211
• His empire was religiously tolerant
• Conquered more land than any other conqueror
• Est. the largest, contiguous empire in history
• By his death in 1227, all of northern China was
under Mongol control
• G.K. died from internal injuries from a fall from
his horse while hunting

10. Mongol Warrior – Genghis Khan

11. Mongol Warrior – Genghis Khan

12. Mongol Warrior – Genghis Khan (movie scene)

15. Even though Genghis Khan died,
his sons & grandsons continued to
raid lands all over Asia and E.
Europe.
↓
They left behind death & destruction
→→→→ Strenghths of the Mongols:
1) armed horsemen
2) fear of the Mongols
3) highly trained & highly disciplined
4) fearless
5) Genghis Khan

16. Mongol Warrior – Genghis Khan

17. Mongol Warrior Kublai Khan - Genghis’ grandson

18. Mongol Warrior Kublai Khan – Genghis’grandson