“An unstoppable and bloody tide of HORROR!” MONGOLS! MONGOLS! “An unstoppable and bloody tide of HORROR!”

Nomadic Lifestyle From central Asia, north and northwest of China Pastoralist – sheep and horses Sturdy, self-reliant, fierce warriors Family-based clans Seasonal migrations brought contact with various people Traded animals for iron, cloth

Warfare Technology Tactics Saddles Stirrups Bows and arrows Used extra horses to travel great distances in a day Speed Surprise Adopted new tactics and technologies Ruthless - used fear and intimidation Played off rivalries of enemies

Destined to Rule

Conquest Genghis Khan United the clans Conquered northern China (Beijing) Central Asia Persia Batu Invaded Europe Russia Poland Hungary Outskirts of Vienna, Austria Kublai Khan Completed the conquest of China Failed to conquer Japan Incorporated Chinese culture into court Genghis Khan Kublai Khan

Treatment of Conquered - General Tolerated religious differences Encouraged trade Collected tribute from non-resistant foes Pax Mongolia Commercial integration of Eurasia Exchange of knowledge between Europe, Middle East, China Disease also spread

Khanate of the Golden Horde Russia Attacks began in 1237, burned almost every city in Kievan Rus Conquest lasted for 200 years, until late 1400s, small ruling class Collected stiff taxes Allowed people to retain government and customs Local landlords collected taxes (goods and service) and administered justice Some paid taxes directly to the government Caused the rise of serfdom Retained Eastern Orthodox religion

Influences on Russia Built roads Improved communication Improved taxation methods Isolated from central and western Europe Religious conflict: European neighbors were Roman Catholic Mongols were non-Christian Suspicions of Eastern Orthodox Slavs Moscow Strong principality cooperated with Mongols and received favors Refused to pay taxes to Mongols Overthrew Mongol rule, 1480 Remains the center of Russia government

A 13th-century Mongol cup from the Hermitage Museum. Destruction of Suzdal by the Mongol armies. From the medieval Russian annals

IL-Khanate Middle East Warfare destroyed ancient irrigation systems that have never been restored Baghdad no longer the capital Rise of the Ottoman Turks Anatolia was the center of cultural diffusion between the Middle East and Europe Knowledge of geography, natural resources, commerce, science, technology, math Constantinople conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1453 – renamed Istanbul

Yuan Dynasty 1271-1368 Mongol dynastic rule of China Economics Used Chinese traditional government Reunified China after years of division Economics Population increased after war Grand Canal extended Highway Mail routes to India and Persia – improved trade Protected trade routes across Asia Europeans Sent ambassadors Christian missionaries Marco Polo

Mongol-Chinese conflict Conqueror versus conquered Different languages Action versus accomplishments in literature, arts Freedom of women Distrust of Chinese officials – Kublai sought to segregate Mongols/Chinese Secret organizations opposed rule

More Sources of Conflict Mongols promoted a social hierarchy that elevated merchants and lowered Confucian scholars Overtaxed farmers Neglected irrigation dams and dikes Population decline Warfare Flooding Migration Disease

Lasting impact on China Improved communication Reunified China after centuries of divide Improved central authority Local authorities reported directly to central government Beijing still capital city Tax farming Ming dynasty began with the overthrow of the Mongols in 1368.

Conclusions Mongols success resulted from ability to adapt new technology and strategies, employed non-Mongols to govern (in-direct rule) Stimulated trade and exchange (cultural diffusion) Spurred the inception of national or regional identity among conquered peoples Peripheral areas developed a stronger regional identity (common enemy creates unity) and benefits from increased trade, exchange of ideas and technology