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The Mongol Empire – 13 th Century. Chinggis (Gengis) and Kublai Khan. Eastern steppes Pastoral nomads Lived in yurts Excellent riders Clan (basic unit) Traded and invaded. Characteristics of the Mongols. Mongol tribes in constant warfare meritocracy
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The Mongol Empire – 13th Century Chinggis (Gengis) and Kublai Khan
Eastern steppes Pastoral nomads Lived in yurts Excellent riders Clan (basic unit) Traded and invaded Characteristics of the Mongols
Mongol tribes in constant warfare meritocracy Teen Temujin took title of universal ruler (1206) Ravaged Asia for 21 years Chinggis Khan (Temujin)
Building the Mongol War Machine • Characteristics: • Training of warriors • Variety of weapons • Armies were entirely composed of cavalry • Contributions of Chinggis Khan • Organization, discipline, and unity of command • Division of armies into tumens • Separate messenger force and mapping unit • Generous to brave foes
First conquered China Turned to Islamic central Asia Campaign of terror destroyed city after city Witty strategies Cruelty = weapon Mongol Goals
The Mongol Empire • 50 years > conquered from China to Poland • Only India and western Europe escaped the full fury of the Mongol assault • 1260 divided into Khanates • Great Khan • Chagatai • Golden Horde • Ilkhanate
Ferocious in war, tolerant in peace Mongols adopted cultural aspects of those they conquered (Confucian and Islamic scholars) PAX MONGOLICA: safe passage for trade caravans invigorated the Silk Routes
Mongols in China • Kublai Khan: grandson founded the Yuan Dynasty, united for the 1st time in 300 years • Opened China to greater contact/trade • Constructed capital in Beijing: Forbidden City After conquering the Chinese, Mongols adapted • Gunpowder projectiles • Bronze cannons • Compass • Government organization
Japan • Kublai tried to rule Japan in 1274 and 1281 • Sent huge fleets constructed by Korea • 150,000 warriors • 1st time fought to standstill • 2nd time typhoon: Kamikaze
Marco Polo and the Mongol Court • 1275 Venetian trader: Silk Roads • Served Kublai Khan for 17 years • Imprisoned he revealed his “stories” • Fabulous cities • Coal • Government/social organization • Historical inaccuracies in his tale
Fall of the House of Yuan Mongols ruled China for nine decades • Causes of the Mongol fall in China: • Song revolts in the south: Famine, flood, disease • Open expression of hostility against the Mongols • Failure in Japan, Vietnam, and Java • “Softer” leaders following Kublai Khan