The MONGOLS

Another description: The Mongols were “terrible to look at and indescribable, with large heads like buffaloes’, narrow eyes like a fledgling’s, a snub nose like a cat’s, projecting snouts like a dog’s, narrow loins like an ant’s, short legs like a hog’s, and by nature with no beards at all…” An Armenian observer

Who were the Mongols?  Nomads, pastoralists:  Xiongnu (Huns)  Turks  Mongols Pastoralism, trade, raiding Self-sufficiency Plurality of religious practice  Shamanism  Buddhists, (Nestorian) Christians, Muslims  Idea of a Great Khan

Mongols vs. Islam =  End of Abbasid control and world dominance.  Opened path for political division within Islam between the Ottomans and the Mamluks.

Why did they begin to expand?  No one really knows  few written records  Gold?  Climatic change? – Population high, temperatures fell, pastures decreased  Population growth?  Steppelanders being steppelanders?

Genghis Khan and His Empire Who was Genghis Khan? Genghis Khan and war Were the terrors he created most gruesome as were perceived? Genghis Khan and the nature/Nurture dichotomy

Genghis Khan  Like the empire he built, Genghis Khan’s life remains in many ways a mystery and myth.  Despite this, we know this man much better than he was known in previous centuries  But what kind of man was he?  Does what is recorded in Muslims’ Chroniclers represent/characterize him correctly? “The great joy a man can know is to conquer his enemies and drive them before him. To ride their horses and take away their possessions. To see the faces of those who were dear to them bedewed with tears, and to clasp their wives and daughters in his arms.”

**The Mongolian Empire**  The largest empire in the world history  Brought much of Europe and Asia under a single ruler  Largest land empire in history  Where did they not expand?? The Middle East – it was just too far away!

Why were the Mongol armies so successful?

 **excellent horseman and used a stirrup  Simple, but effective  All males, 15-60, were eligible for conscription  army was only source of honor  Trained using massive hunts  Great discipline  Equipped for mobility and speed: lightly armored, no supply lines; couriers  Careful planning, reconnaissance, intelligence  Decimal system of organization: arbats (tens), zuuts (100s), myanghan (1000s), tumen (10,000s = roughly a division)  Very good at adapting to various conditions.  Became adept at siege warfare; recruited well; built effective catapults.  Combined various types of armed force: mounted archers, lancers, engineers, rockets, and smoke.

A Warrior Leader  Waged war with a strategic purpose in mind: to preserve Mongol life  Never willingly sacrifice a single one of his soldiers  Every soldiers is taught to live his life as warrior who is always a winner and will not die easily on battlefield  Show little concern for the loss of enemy life, but The Mongol warriors killed enemy soldiers and bureaucrats They did not torture, mutilate, or maim their enemy soldiers like others did

Ghengis Khan died in 1227 C.E.  Mongol leaders returned to Karakorum, capital of Mongolia for a kuriltai.  The empire at this point covered nearly 26 million sq. km.  About four times the size of the Roman or Macedonian Empires.

Conquests by Chinggis’s death (1227)

Mongol soldiers tortured  In 1228, Jalal al-Din, the son of the Kwarizm sultan, captured four hundred Mongol soldiers, tied them behind horses, and dragged them through the streets of the city to entertain the city’s residents  Persian victors killed the Mongol captives by driving nails into their heads  In 1035, sultan of Delhi had elephants crush their Mogol captives, then built a tower from the severed heads of the Mongols

Kublai Khan Become Emperor  A New Emperor Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis, becomes great khan in Kublai conquers China by Ruled without brutality

Khubilai Khan Genghis Khan ’ s grandson who ruled entire China and established the Yuan Dynasty in 1279 AD Genghis Khan ’ s grandson who ruled entire China and established the Yuan Dynasty in 1279 AD first conquered north China under the Jurchen, first conquered north China under the Jurchen, Then conquered south China under the Southern Song/Sung, Then conquered south China under the Southern Song/Sung, The conquest of China (Southern Song/Sung) began in 1268 and took 11 years to complete, highlighted by The conquest of China (Southern Song/Sung) began in 1268 and took 11 years to complete, highlighted by The battle of Xiangyang, which took 5 years ( ) The battle of Xiangyang, which took 5 years ( ) The battle of Yangzhou, 1 year (1275) The battle of Yangzhou, 1 year (1275) The seize of Hangzhou, the capital city The seize of Hangzhou, the capital city Song loyalists continued to fight against the Mongols army in the far south until the last emperor perished at sea and the last general lost his life Song loyalists continued to fight against the Mongols army in the far south until the last emperor perished at sea and the last general lost his life Khubilai Khan was able to institute Mongolian rule effectively, as evidenced by few major insurrections occurring during his reign Khubilai Khan was able to institute Mongolian rule effectively, as evidenced by few major insurrections occurring during his reign

Beginning a New Dynasty Beginning a New Dynasty Kublai established the Yuan Dynasty ( ), a period of peace and prosperity. Kublai established the Yuan Dynasty ( ), a period of peace and prosperity. Kublai adopts Chinese ways, and builds capital at Beijing. Kublai adopts Chinese ways, and builds capital at Beijing.

Failure to Conquer Japan Failure to Conquer Japan In 1274 and 1281, Kublai tries but fails to conquer Japan. In 1274 and 1281, Kublai tries but fails to conquer Japan. The Massive second invasion was destroyed by a typhoon. The Massive second invasion was destroyed by a typhoon.

Mongol Rule in China The Mongols and the Chinese The Mongols and the Chinese Mongols live separately from Chinese and follow own laws. Mongols live separately from Chinese and follow own laws. Mongols keep top government posts, and put Chinese in local positions. Mongols keep top government posts, and put Chinese in local positions. Kublai extends Grand Canal to Beijing, and builds a highway. Kublai extends Grand Canal to Beijing, and builds a highway.

Foreign Trade Foreign Trade Trade increases under Kublai, sending Chinese products to other lands. Trade increases under Kublai, sending Chinese products to other lands. Kublai invites merchants from other lands to China. Kublai invites merchants from other lands to China.

Marco Polo at the Mongol Court Marco Polo at the Mongol Court Venetian trader, Marco Polo, visits China in Venetian trader, Marco Polo, visits China in Polo returns to Venice in 1292; tells stories of what he saw in China. Polo returns to Venice in 1292; tells stories of what he saw in China. Fabulous cities, fantastic wealth Fabulous cities, fantastic wealth Burning “black stones (coal) to heat Chinese homes Burning “black stones (coal) to heat Chinese homes Kublai Khan’s government and trade in Beijing Kublai Khan’s government and trade in Beijing These stories were gathered in a book, but most readers doubt its truth. These stories were gathered in a book, but most readers doubt its truth.

“Pax Mongolica?” Under the Mongols, there was unprecedented long- distance trade Under the Mongols, there was unprecedented long- distance trade Mongols encouraged the exchange of people, technology, and information across their empire Mongols encouraged the exchange of people, technology, and information across their empire Weatherford: the Mongols were “civilization’s unrivaled cultural carriers…” Weatherford: the Mongols were “civilization’s unrivaled cultural carriers…” Marco Polo en route to China

The End of Mongol Rule Declining Power Declining Power Failed expeditions to Southeast Asia show weakness of Yuan Dynasty. Failed expeditions to Southeast Asia show weakness of Yuan Dynasty. High taxes cause resentment. High taxes cause resentment. Yuan Dynasty Overthrown Yuan Dynasty Overthrown Kublai dies in 1294; successors are weak. Kublai dies in 1294; successors are weak. In 1300s, rebellions break out, leading to formation of Ming Dynasty. In 1300s, rebellions break out, leading to formation of Ming Dynasty.

Decline of the Mongol Empire Decline of the Mongol Empire Mongol rule collapses in Persia in the 1330s; in Central Asia in the 1370s. Mongol rule collapses in Persia in the 1330s; in Central Asia in the 1370s. By the end of the 1300s, only Mongol rule in Russia remains, the Golden Horde. By the end of the 1300s, only Mongol rule in Russia remains, the Golden Horde.

Timeline of China’s Dynasties,

Mongols in Asia and Russia The empire made it possible to travel and trade from one end to the other. The empire made it possible to travel and trade from one end to the other.

Mongols in Russia Good: Centralization politically Centralization politically Protected Russia from attacks (Teutonic Knights) Protected Russia from attacks (Teutonic Knights) Bad: Russia cut off from political, economic, and intellectual development Russia cut off from political, economic, and intellectual development

Mongols and Islam Capture Baghdad Capture Baghdad Rule falls apart and the Ottomans overtake the Mongols Rule falls apart and the Ottomans overtake the Mongols

Regional Effects: Europe Clerics looked to Bible for answer & thought the Mongols were a missing Hebrew tribe that was acting in collusion with European Jews. Clerics looked to Bible for answer & thought the Mongols were a missing Hebrew tribe that was acting in collusion with European Jews. Unable to defeat the Mongols, the Europeans could defeat the Jews (their imagined enemies at home) and began attacking Jewish quarters in cities throughout Europe: setting fire to homes, massacring residents, forcing Jews to flee as refugees throughout Europe … Unable to defeat the Mongols, the Europeans could defeat the Jews (their imagined enemies at home) and began attacking Jewish quarters in cities throughout Europe: setting fire to homes, massacring residents, forcing Jews to flee as refugees throughout Europe … prompting the Catholic Church to order Jews to wear distinctive clothes & emblems in order to identify newly arrived Jews in communities. prompting the Catholic Church to order Jews to wear distinctive clothes & emblems in order to identify newly arrived Jews in communities.

More Effects on Europe Disappointed with loot from European invasions, Mongols allowed Italian merchants in Crimea to take many of their European prisoners to sell as slaves (esp. to Egypt) in exchange for large amounts of trade goods. Disappointed with loot from European invasions, Mongols allowed Italian merchants in Crimea to take many of their European prisoners to sell as slaves (esp. to Egypt) in exchange for large amounts of trade goods. This began a long & profitable relationship between Mongols & merchants of Venice & Genoa who set up trading posts in Black Sea: Italians supplied Mongols with manufactured goods in return for the right to sell the Slavs as slaves in the Mediterranean market …slaves who would ultimately defeat the Mongols as the Mamluks in Egypt. This began a long & profitable relationship between Mongols & merchants of Venice & Genoa who set up trading posts in Black Sea: Italians supplied Mongols with manufactured goods in return for the right to sell the Slavs as slaves in the Mediterranean market …slaves who would ultimately defeat the Mongols as the Mamluks in Egypt. Silk routes opened … & then spread PLAGUE to Europe. Silk routes opened … & then spread PLAGUE to Europe.

Effects on Overland Trade Linked Christian, Muslim and Chinese worlds in one Pax Mongolica Linked Christian, Muslim and Chinese worlds in one Pax Mongolica Encouraged Silk Road trade Encouraged Silk Road trade Patrols and passports Patrols and passports Paid high prices at Karakorum and financed caravans Paid high prices at Karakorum and financed caravans Marco Polo ( ) Marco Polo ( ) Traveled with father and uncle to the East, made a fortune, and went back ( ) Traveled with father and uncle to the East, made a fortune, and went back ( ) Great influence on European attitudes towards the East Great influence on European attitudes towards the East New Ideas from China went west: New Ideas from China went west: Paper and paper money, gunpowder, coal, movable type, passports, high-temperature furnaces, medicine, etc. Paper and paper money, gunpowder, coal, movable type, passports, high-temperature furnaces, medicine, etc.

What’s the big deal about the Mongols? In 84 years, from , they conquered the largest land empire the world has ever seen. In 84 years, from , they conquered the largest land empire the world has ever seen. They did this without modern weaponry, transportation or communications. They did this without modern weaponry, transportation or communications. Their army never numbered more than 200,000. Their army never numbered more than 200,000.

Mongolian Conquests First Period

Mongolian Conquests Second Period

Mongolian Conquests Third Period

Mongolian Conquests Fourth Period 1223 – 1227 Death of Chinggis Khan

Mongolian Conquests Fifth Period

Mongolian Conquests Sixth Period

Mongolian Conquests Seventh Period

Mongolian Conquests Greatest Extent of Their Empire