Mongolians!!!Mongolians!!!

The Nomadic Way of LifeThe Nomadic Way of Life Steppe nomads are pastoralists—herd Steppe nomads are pastoralists—herd

domesticated animals.domesticated animals. Way of life teaches Asian nomads to be Way of life teaches Asian nomads to be

skilled horse riders.skilled horse riders. Nomads travel in clans—kin groups are Nomads travel in clans—kin groups are

linked by a common ancestor.linked by a common ancestor.

Steppe Nomads and Settled Steppe Nomads and Settled SocietiesSocieties

Nomads and people living in settled Nomads and people living in settled communities often interact.communities often interact.

Some interactions are peaceful, as in trade.Some interactions are peaceful, as in trade. Sometimes nomads raid towns and cities to Sometimes nomads raid towns and cities to

seize wealth and goods.seize wealth and goods. Strong state or empire could protect its Strong state or empire could protect its

lands from these invasions.lands from these invasions.

Genghis Khan Unites the Genghis Khan Unites the MongolsMongols

Genghis the ConquerorGenghis the Conqueror About 1200, Genghis KhanAbout 1200, Genghis Khan

—”universal ruler”—unites —”universal ruler”—unites Mongols.Mongols.

A brilliant organizer and A brilliant organizer and strategist.strategist.

Uses brutality to terrorize his Uses brutality to terrorize his enemies and force surrenders.enemies and force surrenders.

By 1225, Genghis Khan controls By 1225, Genghis Khan controls central Asia.central Asia.

The KhanatesThe Khanates

In east, Mongols conquer northern China In east, Mongols conquer northern China and invade Korea.and invade Korea.

In west, Mongols take Kiev and threaten In west, Mongols take Kiev and threaten Vienna and Venice.Vienna and Venice.

In 1250s, Mongols turn their attention to In 1250s, Mongols turn their attention to Persia.Persia.

By 1260, Mongol Empire split into khanates By 1260, Mongol Empire split into khanates of four regions.of four regions.

The Mongol EmpireThe Mongol Empire Death and SuccessionDeath and Succession

Genghis Khan dies in 1227.Genghis Khan dies in 1227. Successors continue conquests for 50 Successors continue conquests for 50

years.years. The Mongols conquer territory from The Mongols conquer territory from

China to Poland.China to Poland.

Khanate of the Great Khan (Mongolia & China)

Khanate of the Golden Horde (Russia)

Chagatai Khanate (Central Asia) Ilkhanate (Persia)

Mongol RuleMongol Rule The Mongols as RulersThe Mongols as Rulers

Mongol rulers are tolerant of other peoples Mongol rulers are tolerant of other peoples and cultures.and cultures.

Some Mongols adopt local ways, leading to a Some Mongols adopt local ways, leading to a split among khanates.split among khanates.

The Mongol PeaceThe Mongol Peace Peaceful period from mid-1200s to mid-Peaceful period from mid-1200s to mid-

1300s is called Pax Mongolica.1300s is called Pax Mongolica. There was much east-west trade and There was much east-west trade and

exchange of ideas during this period.exchange of ideas during this period.

Beginning a New DynastyBeginning a New Dynasty A New EmperorA New Emperor

Kublai Khan, grandson of Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis, becomes great khan Genghis, becomes great khan in 1260.in 1260.

Kublai conquers China by Kublai conquers China by 1279.1279.

Kublai established the Yuan Kublai established the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), a period Dynasty (1279-1368), a period of peace and prosperity.of peace and prosperity.

Kublai adopts Chinese ways, Kublai adopts Chinese ways, and builds capital at Beijing.and builds capital at Beijing.

‘Frill Doe… Pax

Mongolica

Mongol Rule in ChinaMongol Rule in China The Mongols and the ChineseThe Mongols and the Chinese

Mongols live separately from Chinese Mongols live separately from Chinese and follow own laws.and follow own laws.

Mongols keep top government posts, Mongols keep top government posts, and put Chinese in local positions.and put Chinese in local positions.

Kublai extends Grand Canal to Beijing, Kublai extends Grand Canal to Beijing, and builds a highway.and builds a highway.

Trade increases under Kublai, Trade increases under Kublai, sending Chinese products to other sending Chinese products to other lands.lands.

Kublai invites merchants from other Kublai invites merchants from other lands to China.lands to China.

Marco Polo at the Mongol CourtMarco Polo at the Mongol Court Venetian trader, Marco Polo, visits Venetian trader, Marco Polo, visits

China in 1275.China in 1275. Polo returns to Venice in 1292; tells Polo returns to Venice in 1292; tells

stories of what he saw in China.stories of what he saw in China. Fabulous cities, fantastic wealthFabulous cities, fantastic wealth Burning “black stones (coal) to heat Burning “black stones (coal) to heat

Chinese homesChinese homes Kublai Khan’s government and trade Kublai Khan’s government and trade

in Beijingin Beijing These stories were gathered in a These stories were gathered in a

book, but most readers doubt its book, but most readers doubt its truth.truth.

Foreign TradeForeign Trade

Not… Punny…

The End of Mongol RuleThe End of Mongol Rule Declining PowerDeclining Power

Failed expeditions to Failed expeditions to Southeast Asia show Southeast Asia show weakness of Yuan Dynasty.weakness of Yuan Dynasty.

High taxes cause resentment.High taxes cause resentment. Yuan Dynasty OverthrownYuan Dynasty Overthrown

Kublai dies in 1294; Kublai dies in 1294; successors are weak.successors are weak.

In 1300s, rebellions break In 1300s, rebellions break out, leading to formation of out, leading to formation of Ming Dynasty.Ming Dynasty.

Decline of the Mongol Decline of the Mongol EmpireEmpire Mongol rule collapses in Mongol rule collapses in

Persia in the 1330s; in Persia in the 1330s; in Central Asia in the 1370s.Central Asia in the 1370s.

By the end of the 1300s, only By the end of the 1300s, only Mongol rule in Russia Mongol rule in Russia remains, the Golden Horde.remains, the Golden Horde.

Mongolian Grill?