So why are they historically significant? Do Now: Mongol Empire “The Mongols made no technological breakthroughs, founded no new religions, wrote few books or dramas” So why are they historically significant?

Pre-Mongol Eurasia

The Mongol Empire at its height

Impact of the Mongols “The Mongols created a single economic, cultural, and epidemiological world system” “for several centuries, Inner Eurasia was a pivot for world history” Mongol Exchange New methods of warfare Trade from Venice to Beijing and beyond Demographic change via the plague and major population shifts Altered the political histories of Russia, China, Europe Unparalleled cultural diffusion

Chronology of the Mongol Empire 1206-1227 Reign of Chinggis Khan 1211-1234 Conquest of northern China 1219-1221 Conquest of Persia 1237-1241 Conquest of Russia 1258 Capture of Baghdad 1264-1279 Conquest of southern China

The Mongols and Eurasian Empire Built the largest empire in history stretching from Poland to China 13.8 million square miles 100 million people Chinggis/Genghis Khan

The Mongol Empire at its height

Who were the Mongols? From the steppes of eastern central Asia Nomadic peoples United under the leadership of Temujin a.k.a Chinggis Khan “Courage Cultures” (TEH – moo – jeen)

Steppe Inner Eurasia Outer Eurasia

Mongol Conquests (1206-1258) Temujin (TEH-moo-jeen) Declared himself: Genghis Khan (b. 1162; r. 1206-1227) Really: Чингис Хаан, Chinggis Khaan = “Ocean King” United Mongol tribes Used Tengri - the Sky-God - to justify his rule

The Mongol Art of War Great horsemen and archers Large, quickly moving armies “cutting edge weapons” Masters at psychological warfare Combined various types of armed force: mounted archers, lancers, engineers, rockets, and smoke.

Rulers of the Mongol Empire 1206–1227: Chinggis Khan 1227–1241: Ogedei Khan 1246–1248: Guyuk Khan 1251–1259: Mongke Khan 1260–1294: Khubilai Khan (Partially recognized) 1227  Chinggis dies, Mongol leaders return to Karakorum for kuriltai (military council)

Khanates emerge after Chinggis’ death

China: The Yuan Dynasty 1279-1368 Most famous ruler: Khubilai Khan (1265-1294) Government administered by Mongols and non-Chinese advisors Allowed religious freedom but dismantled Confucian exam system Khubilai Khan

Yuan Dynasty: Effects of the Mongols Mongol domination caused various effects in East Asia: Recentralization of China, trade, and government Prosperity in the cities, poverty in the countryside Extraction of wealth for benefit of Mongol khans

How did Japan resist Mongol invasion? The Mongols attempted to invade Japan twice [1274 and 1281] Twice they were repelled by typhoons “Kamikaze” or “divine wind” Inspiration for WWII kamikaze

Mongol Empire’s Impact on Eurasia Movement of peoples, trade, ideas across Eurasia New innovations and ideas reached Europe (without the military devastation); increased European interest in the East Brought new peoples to power: rise of Turkic dominance in the Muslim world (Ottomans, Delhi Sultanate), and new elites in the Slavic world Created the first (and only) foreign dynasty in China Opened the path for the plague

The nominally independent Khanates ~1300 CE Eventually all would fall to infighting Last of the Khanates would be conquered by Russia in the 17th-18th centuries

Discussion Question: For you, which of the following was the most important contribution of the Mongol Empire to world history? They constructed the largest Eurasian empire to date. They destroyed a series of well-established empires. They fostered trade, the spread of disease, and the exchange of crops and technology across Eurasia. The disruption of trade caused by the collapse of their empire provided an important incentive for Europeans to take to the seas in an effort to secure sought-after Asian goods.

Pre-Mongol Eurasia

Discussion Question: Regarded as a whole, was the Mongol impact on world history more positive or negative? The Mongol impact on world history was more positive than negative. b. The Mongol impact on world history was more negative than positive.