Nomadic Empires and Eurasian Integration Chapter 17

Document a Day What can this picture teach us about the Mongols?

The Mongol Empire Nomadic economy and society Nomadic herders organized into clans with related languages Nomads and their animals; few settlements Migration Trade (doesn’t produce) Egalitarian but Patriarchy Typically laid low in the foot hills of the Siberian forest. Herding, hunting, and practicing archery…

The Mongol Empire Chinggis Khan 1162, Temujin Born with a blood clot in his hand Father poisoned Mongol War Machine Trained to fight, hunt, ride, and kill (could hit at target 350 yds) Unity = conquest over rebellion Tumens: 10,000 men a unit Messengers, Spies, and Mapmakers Executions and Generosity

The Empire was just getting started! The Mongol Empire Start of Mongol Empire Chinggis Khan unified tribes through Civil War, won  because… Meritocracy Promoted Lower Classes of Conquered People into his tribe Killed their leaders Chinggis Khan ("universal ruler") unified Mongol rule, 1206 By 1227 owned all of China, Persia, Russia Conquered more land in 25 years than Rome did in 400 years 11 million square miles The Empire was just getting started!

The Mongol Empire Division of the Mongol empires Yuan Dynasty (China) The Mongol empires after Chinggis Khan Division of the Mongol empires Yuan Dynasty (China) Kublai Khan Ilkhanate (Persia) Chagatan Khnate (Central Asia) Golden Horde Russia 16 million descendants of Chinggis Khan Who does this remind you of? Large Empire divided after their death due to no political unity.

Mongol Empire Military Campaigns successful Speed, archery, and horses Adaptable Siege Warfare Gunpowder Ships Intimidation and Brutality

Mongol Accomplishments The Mongols reinvigorated cross-Eurasian trade Silk Road Valued Trade The Mongols increased communication Yam System – food, shelter, and spare horses Passports Cuisine Spread Rice: Persia Noodles: Italy Relocated people who were useful Artist, Musicians, Administrators Tolerant of Different Religions Shamanist : nature spirits

Mongols Weakness Brutal Conquerors: Empire didn’t last long “The greatest happiness is to vanquish your enemies, to chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth, to see those dear to them bathed in tears, to clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters.” - Chinggis Khan Brutal Conquerors: Destroyed entire cities Empire didn’t last long Replaced in China after 80 years Blended into Persia (adapted agriculture) No fascination with art or architecture Mongols were always on the move Responsible for the Black Death Biological Warfare Trade

Were the Mongols Good or Bad? Promoted trade, diversity, and religious tolerance while conquering more land in 25 years than the Romans did in 400. Promoted slaughter and destruction while deemphasizing art, architecture, and political unity How you feel about the Mongols says a lot about you: Do you value artistic output over religious diversity? Is imperialism that doesn’t last better or worse than imperialism that does? Are only certain types of warfare inherently wrong?