The Mongol Conquests Chapter 12 Section 2

Pastoralists Nomadic people who live off of the animals they raise. Pastoralists are always on the move, searching for good pasture lands to feed their herds. Many groups of people in areas of the world where the soil is not fertile enough for farming raise animals on grasslands like the Mongols on the Asian Steppe. Horses on the Mongolian Steppe

clan Kinship Groups (distantly related people) who can trance their lineage back to a common ancestor. The Mongols & other Pastoralists on the Asian Steppe were organized into clans.

Khan Mongol clan leader. Genghis Khan: Genghis means universal so this title just means universal king of the Mongols

Temujin The original/given name of Genghis Khan.(Chinggis Khaan) Started out as the son of a Mongol Khan but lost his clan when his father was poisoned. He would eventually unite all the Mongol clans and become Genghis Khan – universal ruler of all the Mongol clans.

Genghis Khan 1206 A.D. – Temujin becomes Genghis Khan – universal ruler of all the Mongol tribes. Conquers the largest land empire in history – 12,000,000 (1 (12 million) square miles!

Khanate: A Mongol kingdom

The Stirrup Invented in the 2nd / 3rd century B.C. on the Asian steppe – this simple “step” device hung from a horse’s saddle – a rider’s foot support – and allowed the Mongols to stand on their horses and use their legs to absorb the up & down motion of the horse. This made them excellent archers on horseback.

Pax Mongolica The “Mongol Peace” After the Mongols had conquered most of Asia, they instituted the Mongol Peace. This meant that within the Empire there was peace if you accepted the Mongols as your overlords. If you were a Merchant you were allowed to travel the Empire with an official passport and given armed guards to ensure your safety in dangerous areas. Greatly promoted Cultural Diffusion – inventions like Chinese Gunpowder make their way to Europe due to the opening up of China via the Mongols and the Silk road.

3. Steppe nomads vs. Settled Communities (farmers) Steppe Nomads traded peacefully when China was strong. Steppe Nomads would take / raid / steal what they wanted when China was weak. Why Important? Peace through Strength.

4. Why was terror an important weapon for Genghis Khan. As news of the Mongol conquests spread, many cities would give up rather than oppose Genghis 9/10 Cities would surrender rather than fight. This helps just a few million people take over and control much larger populations (China ~60 Million) The population of Mongolia has been estimated to be only 2 million in the 13th century.

5. After Genghis Khan’s death: Genghis’ son Ogadai became the Great Khan in 1227. Ogadai and Genghis’ grandsons continued to conquer, invading areas east (to Korea and Japan), west (to Russia & Europe), and south (through Persia and India). Kiev (in Ukraine) was destroyed and the Mongols threatened the European cities of Vienna and Venice. Europe would have fallen – no European power was strong enough to stand up to 100,000 Mongol Warriors – BUT Ogadai died in 1241 and all the Mongol leaders were called back to Karakorum to elect an new Great Khan. But the empire was so big that it was now broken up into 4 pieces or Khanates – each piece ruled by a grandson of Genghis Khan.

6. Why was the Mongols culture so militaristic? Simple – The Environment of the Asian Steppe made them TOUGH. The Climate was extreme: -400 F in the winter and 1200 F in the summer! The Law of the Steppe: “If a man wanted something he took it.” Clan organization – loyalty to your family #1 – blood & honor were key characteristics of Mongol culture. Competition over limited resources – the Mongol tribes were always fighting over the limited resources of the Steppe – like water and grazing land for their animals – this made them warlike and tough.

7. What do you think drove Genghis Khan to conquer a great empire? Possible answers: His childhood experiences of hardship made him want more – ex: his father was a Khan but was killed (poisoned) when he was just 9. He became “the man of the house” and had to provide for his family. Such responsibility thrust upon him at such a young age made him want to strive for revenge (his birthright was taken from him) and he had to take it back. High expectations: the “blood clot” in his hand as a newborn was a sign that he would be a great warrior. Such high expectations can make a person strive for more and work very hard to achieve in life.