Aim: Did the Mongols negatively or positively impact the world? Do Now: After being assigned a side you should review your hw/preparation notes and think about arguing points you could use. If you are assigned as the evaluator, you need to think of questions to ask your group members.

Questions to answer during the debate How did Mongols (re)shape political life in China? Was it for the better or worse? How did Mongols impact/change societies that they conquered (their everyday lives, culture, etc) across the world? (hint: Think of China, Russia, Byzantium, Muslims) How did the Mongols impact the economy of those they conquered? The world economy? Was it for the better or worse?

Pax Mongolia- Positive Effect Tolerant rulers Safe passage for trade caravans Facilitated trade at each end of Eurasia later led to the Age of Exploration Brought great wealth to European traders (northern Italy) New warfare methods were introduced. Gunpowder introduced to Europe

Trade Routes Mid 1200s – Mid 1300s: imposed stability and law through much of Eurasia

Kublai Kahn’s Impact on China Restored economic prosperity Improved public works such as canals, bridges and roads Encouraged trade System of storing grain to avoid famine Improved the Navy Cared for orphaned and sick But…he did separate classes based on ethnicity

Modern Links- Mysteries ? Still today historians are trying to find out if the writings of Marco Polo are true, and they will probably never know. It is a big mystery where Kublai and his grandfather, Genghis Khan, are buried.

Negative Impact Death and destruction, some cities completely wiped out (Kiev, cities in Syria) Mongol soldiers looted, pillaged and raped women Conquests played a key role in transmitting the black death. (unintended)

Why did the Mongol empire collapse? Size made communication and control difficult Lack of effective leaders Kublai’s Death in 1294 Famine, floods, disease Infighting among Mongols for control Locals grew tired of foreign rule and began to rebel