THE MONGOLS & CHINGGIS KHAN Global History: Spiconardi

Origins of the Mongols

Origins of the Mongols Geography

Steppes grasslands that are not easily cultivated

Extreme Temperature Range Winters could reach -57ºF Summer could reach 96ºF

What is missing from these

landscapes?

Origins of the Mongols Social Organization

Nomadic Pastoralists herded domesticated animals

Clans group of people from a common ancestor Mongols could not marry

within the same clan Mongols had no written

language or agriculture

Mongols lived in yurts

If this is the case, then technically the

Mongols don’t meet the criteria of a what?

Origins of the Mongols

Mongols would carry their

possessions in these yurts as

they wandered in search of

pastures and resources

Recap Questions Describe the geography of Mongolia. How was Mongol society organized? What type of existence did Mongols live?

Chinggis Khan

“Man’s greatest good fortune is to chase and defeat his enemy, seize his total possessions, leave his married women weeping and wailing, ride his horse, use the bodies of his women as a nightshirt and support…”

Read this quote attributed to the Great Khan. What do we

know about him based on this quote?

Chinggis Khan Early Influences

Assassination of father by a tribe called the Tartars via poison

Harsh conditions of Central Asian Steppes

Constant tribal warfare Hardened Chinggis and made him

tough Mother’s arrow story inspired

Chinggis to unite Mongols

Conquests

…In the period from 1180–1220, Mongolia experienced a drop in the mean annual temperature, which meant that the growing season for grass was cut short. Less grass meant a real danger to the Mongols’ animals, and, since the animals were truly the basis of the Mongols’ pastoral-nomadic life, this ecological threat may have prompted them to move out of Mongolia.

A second reason often mentioned is the attempt by Mongolia’s neighbors in north andnorthwest China to reduce the amount of trade with the Mongols. Since the Mongols depended on trade for goods that they desperately needed—such as grain, craft, and manufactured articles—cessation [halting] of trade, or at least the diminution [reduction] of trade, could have been catastrophic for them…Unable to obtain goods that they so desperately needed, the Mongols’ response was to initiate raids, attacks, and finally invasions against these two dynasties.…Source: “The Mongols in World History,” Asian Topics in World History online, Columbia University (adapted)

According to this excerpt from “The Mongols in World History,” what are two reasons the Mongols began conquering new lands?

Chinggis Khan’s Conquests

Mongol Army… The Mongols had developed a composite bow made out of sinew and horn and were skilled at shooting it while riding, which gave them the upper hand against ordinary foot soldiers. With a range of more than 350 yards, the bow was superior to the contemporaneous [co-existing] English longbow, whose range was only 250 yards. …a sturdy stirrup enabled horsemen to be steadier and thus more accurate in shooting when mounted. A Chinese chronicler recognized the horse’s value to the Mongols, observing that “by nature they [the Mongols] are good at riding and shooting. Therefore they took possession of the world through this advantageof bow and horse.”…Source: Morris Rossabi, “All the Khan’s Horses,” Natural History, October 1994

What are two military inventions that aided in the Mongol conquests? How did those inventions assist in conquests?

Mongol Army Excellent horseman

Since food was scarce warriors drank blood of horse to sustain himself

Silk under armor prevented deep arrowhead wounds

Mongol Army Military Tricks

Dummy army False retreats additional forces

attack by surprise Weapons

Fold-away catapult Siege towers Gun-powder charges

Army could travel 70 miles a day

Chinggis Khan’s Legacy

Chinggis Khan’s Legacy Unites Mongol people Organized vast empire into 4 regions called

Khanates Perhaps the two most important contribution

were: Isolation of Russia

Cuts off Russia from advancements of Western Europe during the Renaissance

Created the largest contiguous land empire ever

Death Chinggis Khan dies in 1227

C.E., but his death is shrouded in uncertainty Thrown from horses? Pneumonia? Died from wounds by a Tangut

princess in self defense from rape?

Territory divided among sons Ogedai is elected universal khan

IDENTIFY:

3 MONGOL MILITARY TACTICS

2 WAYS IN WHICH THE MONGOL LANDSCAPE WAS HARSH

1 GROUP THAT CHINGGIS KHAN CONQUERED

3…2…1