The Mongols The Last Great Nomadic Challenge Chapter 14 Pg

Periodization 1206 — Mongol state founded — rule of Chinggis (Genghis) Khan 1215 — Mongols attack N. China (win it in 1234) — Russia/Islamic world invaded — S. China taken — rule of Kublai Khan 1240 — Russia taken (Mongols attack W. Europe) 1260 — Mongols lose to Mamluks in Egypt — Mongol invasion of Japan fails 1360s-1405 — rule of Timur-i Lang

Introduction Mongols challenge notions of “barbarian” & “civilized” Capable of savage violence Rule also creates era of peaceful cross- cultural exchange = Pax Mongolia

Mongol Empire of Chinggis Khan Mongols follow pattern of other nomadic groups studied Tribe & clan make-up Strong tribal leadership = bravery & diplomacy

Early Career of Chinggis Khan Born Temujin Violently avenged family history Military strength led to alliances & ascent to supreme ruler

Mongol War Machine Born warriors w/ cavalry mobility Highly structured & disciplined armies Included scouts & spies Effective & inventive weaponry Bow Gunpowder

Conquest & First Assault Chinggis Khan led confederation of 2+ million Assault on northern China Southern Song spared Slowed by fortifications, but adapt Resistance = Retribution Turned conquest to Central Asia & fringes of Islamic world

Life Under Mongol Rule Mongols = astute & tolerant rulers Stimulates trade, cultural exchange and artistic creativity Administration built on Muslim and Chinese bureaucrats

Death of Chinggis Khan Death of Chinggis Khan led to division of empire b/t sons…succeeded by Ogedei Splits into four khanates (see map pg 311) Golden Horde Empire—Russia Ilkhan Empire—Persia Djagatai Empire– Central Asia Empire of Kublai Khan (Yuan Dynasty)—China

Mongol Assault on Russia Russian decline meant division & easy winter conquest by Mongols Russia in Bondage Mongol overlords → Russian princes = vassals → peasants pressed into serfdom Moscow grew in strength Became central city of Russian culture Drive West:

QUESTION In what ways does the rule of the Golden Horde mark a turning point in Russian history?

Retreat from Europe Legend of Prester John led to underestimating Mongol threat Mongols proved capable of European assault, but withdrew after Ogedei’s death Europe was spared a full assault

Mongol Assault on Middle East I lkhan Khanate (led by Hulegu) set sights on Middle East wealth 1258 : destroy Abbasid dynasty & Baghdad 1260 : Mamluks of Egypt & infighting defeat the Mongols Drive West:

VISUALIZING THE PAST: Mongols as a Bridge Based on the map, answer the questions in the inset on pg. 312

Mongol Interlude in China Kublai Khan established Yuan Dynasty Despite hard fought battles w/ Song Attempted to keep Chinese & Mongols separate Administration No civil service exams Only nomads & Muslims at imperial level Chinese only at local levels Drive South:

Gender Roles Mongol women retained rights & freedoms EX- advice of wife Chabi Tolerance & Foreign Influence Yuan court welcomed & attracted many scholars, artists, religious thinkers, etc EX- Marco Polo

Social Policies & Scholar-Gentry Yuan “foreign-ness” & policies alienated scholar-gentry Yet, commercial & urban boom continued; position of peasants bolstered Fall of Yuan Decline resulted from usual circumstances… : Ming Dynasty replaced Yuan

Timur-i Lang: a Brief Interlude Complex figure Ruthless conqueror Last great nomadic challenge

Global Connections Examples of postclassical themes: Impact of nomadic invaders Extended world network - fostered spread of trade, new ideas Paved way for plague / Black Death

QUESTION In what ways does the Mongol experience mirror that of the Arabs? Was Chinggis Khan more barbarian or more civilized? To what extent do you agree with the claim that the postclassical period was “the nomad’s last hurrah”?