The Mongols

Who were the Mongols?

Nomads who live in Central Asia

REMEMBER from Ancient China: The Mongol empire had different clans with a

different khans

Genghis Khan united all the clans

Through the 1200’s, The Mongol Empire even spread to parts of Europe Influenced Asia and Europe

The Empire

The Mongols extended their empire throughout Europe and Asia from the 13th through the 16th century. This also includes the frequently used trade routes of the Maritime Trade System.

The Mongol Empire 1260: Kublai Khan became the GREAT Khan

of the Empire

Defeated the Song Dynasty and established the Yuan Dynasty (REMEMBER: This was from Ancient China)

When Kublai Khan dies, the empire again splits into 4 region known as the Khanates

The Khanates

Mongol Military Strategies

Very organized armies

Horses were an important part of Mongol culture Cavalry

Archers were the most common type of soldier

Mongols were expert at sieges Made catapults Dammed rivers

Mongol Conquests 13th century: the Mongols conquered the

Kievan Rus’ (Russia) and ruled them for two centuries Kievan Rus’ became isolated from the

European civilization

The Mongols invaded Korea

Indian Subcontinent (Kashmir region)

Mongol Rule FIRST to rule all of China

How did the Chinese feel? Very resentful Kublai Khan however did NOT force the Chinese to adopt

Mongol Rule Moved the Mongol capital to China Rule in China was harsh

Chinese lived under different laws than the Mongols

The Chinese and the Mongols could not interact with one another

Chinese had heavy taxes

Mongol Rule Attempted to rule peacefully by being

tolerant of local customs

Time of peace: Pax Mongolica

Trade United areas of the Silk Road

New technology; trade goods, religion

Marco Polo and his brother traveled to Asia and met Kublai Khan Khan asked about the legal and political

system and the Catholic religion

Mongol Impact Mongols destroyed and burned all the

conquered cities

Introduced fiefdoms: political systems where a local leader rules for an emperor or king The vassal

Fall of the Empire Public works projects greatly weakened the

economy of the Mongol Empire

Failed conquests of Japan (weakened the empire too)

Floods and increases in taxes stressed the Chinese- rebellions broke out against the Yuan Dynasty

Zhu Yuanzhang led Chinese forces against the Yuan Dynasty and overthrew the Mongol emperor

Mongols fled to Mongolia-END OF THE MONGOL rule in China