The Mongol Empire
History of People Small group of steppe people - nomadic Life based around horse Political: kinship based clans & tribes
Birth of a Khan Temujin Structure of society helps his rise Seeks vengence for dad’s death Ghengis Khan - “universal ruler”
Society Change Combines traditional fighting strengths with new organization Pyramid of officers & units Loyalty only to Khan, not clan Promotion based on merit
Weapons Bow & Arrow - 1/3 farther Trebuchet Siege warfare Retreat and return
Mongolian Empire
Empire - After Ghengis Khan
Khanate of the Great Khan Yuan Dynasty - China Successor to Ghengis (Ogodei, then Kubilai) Favor Buddhism, threat to Confucianism Social: Mongols top; separate from Chinese Weak - can’t take over Japan
Khanate of Jagadai Central Asia Tamerlane - Turk, only in-law relationship to Ghengis Khan Conquers huge territory - attack Il-Khan Rules through tribal leaders/allies Opens door for Ottomans
Khanate of the Golden Horde Southern Russia Russia divided into many kingdoms; easy to take over Russian princes serve as vassals of khans Peasants look to serfdom for protection Khans are Muslim, Russians are Orthodox Positives & Negatives
Il-Khan Middle East Hulegu - grandson Captured Abbasid capital & killed last caliph Tensions between Muslims & Mongols Ghazan converts to Islam in 1295 All Mongols ordered to convert
The End Too big Feuds between Golden Horde & Il-Khan Mongol rulers adopt cultural preferences of conquered Ends the Silk Road forever
Impact At first they are a disruption Encouragement of trade Pax Mongolica Open communication from China to Europe Black Death Western Europe saved from conquest