Political Unity of Mongols in 1265 YUAN CHINA Political Unity of Mongols in 1265 Extreme disagreement, difference of opinion, and a general lack of unity… Core vs. Peripheral Areas of Mongol Empire Core – local definition; cultural coherence; benefits of trade system(s); drained of wealth (heavy taxation); technologically behind Peripheral – integrated in trade system (increased flow of information and wealth); increased local leadership; increase in external alliances

YUAN CHINA Who were Yuan’s (1279-1368) Led by Kublai Khan (Genghis Khan’s grandson) Constructed a capital at Beijing and Shangdu Unified the 3 states in China (Tanggut, Jin, and Song) Preserved characteristics of Chinese government (Confucianism) while making some innovations (tax farming)

YUAN CHINA Social Classes Mongols used a hierarchical system of legally defined status groups Defined by race and function: Mongols Central Asians & Middle Easterners Northern Chinese Southern Chinese Merchants and doctors > Confucians

Cultural and Scientific Exchange - Medicine YUAN CHINA Cultural and Scientific Exchange - Medicine Exchange of scientific, technological, and mathematical knowledge between China and Iran Il-khans and Yuan's had good relations and common economic systems China imported astronomy, algebra, trigonometry, Islamic and Persian medical texts, seeds, and math formulas

Effects on Urban/Rural China YUAN CHINA Effects on Urban/Rural China Effects on ports & cities: Prospered – trade recovers Merchants flourish and organize corporations Urban culture – popular entertainment, vernacular literature, Mandarin dialect Rural Areas: Cotton production systems Irrigation systems constructed Overtaxed, brutalized, and dams neglected

YUAN CHINA Population Changes Chinese population declines by 40 percent! Northern China sees the greatest loss of population Yangtze Valley sees an increase Reasons for loss: Warfare Flooding of Yellow River Migration Spread of disease (Plague)