Barbarians or Men of the People and Trade Facilitators? The Mongols Barbarians or Men of the People and Trade Facilitators? Barbara Ozuna and Cheryl Mc Callum

The Rise of the Mongols Temujin --> Chenghis Khan [“Universal Ruler”] United the Mongols in 1162, Died in 1227 from the steppes of Asia. Built the World’s Largest land Empire Created his new capital at Karakorum The Nomadic advantage over sedentary societies is that nomads were highly mobile, very effective horsemen, and employed the element of surprise as a battle tactic. Siege warfare was also common.

Mongolian Steppes The wide open steppes allowed for these various tribes to meet in the summer when their animals could graze. Under Chenggis Khan, these disparate tribes united into a great fighting force.

Xinjiang Region – Typical Uygher [Mongol] “Yurt” One of the nomadic advantages is being highly mobile. Yurts could be taken apart quickly and were fairly easy to transport.

Wagon-pulled “gers” made Moving Easier Carts were created that allowed Mongols to travel quickly without having to take their Yurts apart

Karakorum The Capital of the Mongol Empire was situated on the Steppes of Asia, along the silk road.

Map of Karakorum The city is surrounded by a mud wall and has four gates. At the eastern is sold millet and other kinds of grain, which, however, is rarely brought there; at the western one, sheep and goats are sold; at the southern, oxen and carts are sold; at the northern, horses are sold. When the Kahn is in town, many Mongols camp outside the city walls and increase the population tremendously- William of Rubruk as translated on depts.washington.edu/silkroad

Mongol Invasions From Karakorum, Genghis Kahn expanded his empire

Mongol Warriors Mongol warriors were quick, well trained, and rode their horses as though they were one with them.

Mongol Archer Archer could hit a moving target riding at full gallop.

Mongol Warfare The Advantages of the Bow and the Horse Move swiftly Ride standing up because of stirrups Could attack with bow and arrow from afar Faked retreat Tied sacks to saddles to add numbers

The MONGOLS Build Their Empire Genghis Khan’s Tax Laws: If you do not pay homage, we will take your prosperity. If you do not have prosperity, we will take your children. If you do not have children, we will take your wife. If you do not have a wife, we will take your head. Used cruelty as a weapon --> some areas never recovered from Mongol destruction!

Growth of Mongol Empire

Horses- the key to Mongol Success

The Other Side of the Mongols Although the Mongols have certainly earned their barbaric reputation, the Mongols also patronized artisans. The Mongols often offered artisans special privileges. For example, after invading Samarkand, Ghengis Kahn ordered all artisans spared Artisans also did not have to pay Corvée taxes

Gold Saddle Arch – Mongols, 13c

Gold Saddle, Front View – Mongols, 13c

Silk Screen painting of a Mongol Noble, late 13c

Robe of a Mongol Nobleman, early 14c Silk was highly prized by Mongol noblemen.

Yuan Golden Bowl, 13c

Yuan Porcelains & Ceramics

Trade Routes Under the Mongols

Mongols: Trade Facilitators? The Pax Mongolica Mongols: Trade Facilitators?

Increase in Trade during Mongol Rule

People traveled as well as goods Marco Polo A Venetian merchant Traveled through Yuan China: 1271-1295 “Black Stones” [coal] Gunpowder Noodles

Marco Polo’s Travels Marco Polo was certainly not the only European to travel to the Mongol Court. An equally famous account is from William of Rubruck, and there is even evidence that a Mongol envoy names Rabban Bar Sauma traveled from the Mongol areas to the “Court of the Franks”

The Black Plague spread from China to Europe in the mid-14c. But so did Disease The Black Plague spread from China to Europe in the mid-14c. Bulbous Septicemia Form: almost 100% mortality rate.

Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho) Ming “Treasure Fleet” Each ship 400’ long & 160’ wide China’s “Columbus?”  Although these expeditions did not occur during the Mongol reign of China, Zheng He really represents a continuation of the Mongol policies until 1433 when Confucian scholars succeeded in convincing the emperor that such travels were not in China’s best interest. 1371-1435

Admiral Zheng He’s Voyages First Voyage: 1405-1407 [62 ships; 27,800 men]. Second Voyage: 1407-1409 [Ho didn’t go on this trip]. Third Voyage: 1409-1411 [48 ships; 30,000 men]. Fourth Voyage: 1413-1415 [63 ships; 28,500 men]. Fifth Voyage: 1417-1419 Sixth Voyage: 1421-1422 Emperor Zhu Gaozhi cancelled future trips and ordered ship builders and sailors to stop work. Seventh Voyage: 1431-1433 Emperor Zhu Zhanji resumed the voyages in 1430 to restore peaceful relations with Malacca & Siam 100 ships and 27,500 men; Cheng Ho died on the return trip.

Some Websites to Visit http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/- Specific unit on the Mongol’s impact on Asia http://worldhistoryforusall.sdsu.edu/dev/default.htm Big History units. Mongols are discussed in Unit 5. http://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/ Offers a wealth of information on various aspects of the silkroads.