Nomadic Empires and Eurasian Integration The Mongol Empires Nomadic Empires and Eurasian Integration

The Rise of the Mongols

Eurasia on the eve of the Mongol invasions, c. 1200 CE.

Discipline, loyalty, and skilled horsemanship led to the conquest of a vast empire.

Nomadic Economy and Society Rainfall in central Asia too little to support large-scale agriculture Grazing animals thrive, central Asians turn to animal herding Food Clothing Shelter (yurts) Migratory patterns to follow pastureland Small-scale farming, rudimentary artisanry

The Steppes are grasslands in Central Asia.

Nomads in Turkmenistan

Chinggis Khan (1167-1227) and the Making of the Mongol Empire Temüjin, b. 1167 Father prominent warrior, poisoned c. 1177, forced into poverty Mastered steppe diplomacy, elimination of enemies Brought all Mongol tribes into one confederation 1206 proclaimed Chinggis Khan: “Universal Ruler”

Genghis Khan Originally called Temujin. He led his clan to unify the others into a literal military juggernaut that swept across the Asian continent and reached the fringes of Europe and the Holy Roman Empire. c. 1162–August18, 1227

Mongol Arms Mongol population only 1 million (less than 1% of Chinese population) Army c. 100-125,000 Strengths: Cavalry Short bows Rewarded enemies who surrender, cruel to enemies who fight

Mongol Conquests Conquest of China by 1220 Conquest of Afghanistan, Persia emissaries murdered, following year Chinggis Khan destroys ruler Ravaged lands to prevent future rebellions Large-scale, long-term devastation

Mongol Invasions Vietnam Korea Japan Attempted in late 13th century, but driven out Guerilla warfare Korea Seized northern part of country and assimilated into Yuan Japan In 1266, invaded with army of over 30,000 Bad weather and difficult conditions forced retreat Again in 1281, with army of nearly 150,000 Held for 2 months, then destroyed by massive typhoon

The Mongol Empires after Chinggis Khan

Khubilai Khan (r. 1264-1294) Grandson of Chinggis Khan Rule of China Ruthless warrior, but religiously tolerant Hosted Marco Polo Established Yuan dynasty (to 1368) Unsuccessful forays into Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, Java Two attempted invasions of Japan (1274, 1281) turned back by typhoons (kamikaze: “divine winds”)

Kublai Khan Kublai Khan or Khubilai Khan or "the last of the great Khans", was a Mongol military leader. He was Khan of the Mongol Empire as well as the founder and the first Emperor of the Chinese Yuan Dynasty.

The Golden Horde Conquest of Russia, 1237-1241 Established tributary relationship to 15th century Rule over Crimea to late 18th century Raids into Poland, Hungary, Germany

The Ilkhanate of Persia Abbasid empire toppled Baghdad sacked, 1258 200,000 massacred Expansion into Syria checked by Egyptian forces

Mongol Rule in China Strove to maintain strict separation from Chinese Intermarriage forbidden Chinese forbidden to study Mongol language Imported administrators from other areas (esp. Arabs, Persians) Yet tolerated religious freedoms

The Mongols and Western Integration Experience with long-distance trade Protection of traveling merchants - Safe Trade Volume of trade across central Asia increases Diplomatic missions protected Missionary activity increases Mongol resettlement policies

Decline of the Mongol Empire in Persia Overspending, poor tax returns from overburdened peasantry Ilkhan attempts to replace precious metal currency with paper in 1290s Failure, forced to rescind Factional fighting Last Ilkhan dies without heir in 1335, Mongol rule collapses

Decline of the Yuan Dynasty in China Mongols spend bullion that supported paper currency Public loses confidence in paper money, prices rise From 1320s, major power struggles Bubonic plague spreads 1330-1340s 1368 Mongols flee peasant rebellion