The Mongols ( 3rd Periodization) AP World History The Mongols ( 3rd Periodization)

Mongols (Around 1200-1550 CE) Basic Characteristics Pastoral Nomadic Group Originated in the Central Asian Steppes Would create the world’s largest empire to date Clan-Based Society (They were homies  ) Organized based on bloodlines Genghis Khan ( Responsible for united various Mongol tribes)- Original name: Timujin Greatest Strength was their mobility (WHAT!!!!!!!)

It’s all about male mobilization Every Male from 15-70 had to serve in army and was rewarded with captured goods ( Yes, they stole from people they conquered, and gave it back to the people that originally took it- of course if the Khan didn’t want it) Chose officials based on talent and loyalty, not their families. Military Strategy- retreat, as if they were beat and the turn around and resume attack ( They were “tricksters”) Masters of psychological warfare ( They liked to mess with people) Great Genghis Khan quote: “Submit and Live. Resist and Die”

The Mongols on the Move Under Khan the Mongols forced themselves onto settled societies Central Asia Tibet Persia Northern China 1215- conquered present day Beijing Afghanistan (Conquered this for revenge- they had tried to kill Genghis Khan) 1227- Khan dies and his empire is divided amongst his four sons  HORDES

1279- Grandson Time Kublai Khan defeats the Southern Song Dynasty and for the 1st time ever in history, China was under foreign rule ( this would not last) Khan created a Chinese-Style dynasty takes the name YUAN (for the Mongol’s: Khanate of the Great Khan) Fixed and regular tax payment system; helped the poor Strong central government; promoted Buddhism, supported Daoism, Muslims and Christians. Foreigners (not Chinese ) were employed in the bureaucracy) For now: Bye-bye civil service exam The Chinese were subject to different laws and were consciously separated from the Mongols. Could never conquer South East Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia)- tropical climates 

Mongols in China- Defeated The Mongolian Empire does Decline in spite of their generosity in lifting Tariffs and tolerating religions. From 1274-1281- Once again the Mongol are on the Move- they got greedy- and invaded Japan. Typhoon winds destroyed their fleets both times The Japanese believed these Kamikaze or sacred winds had protected them.

Grandson #2 Hulegu 1258 defeats the Abbasid Caliphate- established the Il-Khanate of Persia Captured capital in Baghdad and killed two hundred thousand! Mongols employed local bureaucrats in the gov’t and converted to Islam by 1295. Local rulers were permitted to rule, as long as they delivered tax revenue and maintained order. Mongol culture mixed with Muslims part of Islam’s Golden Age As they moved West, they met their first and only major defeat: the battle of Ain Jalut (in Egypt)

The Golden Horde: Russia Mongol Ruler: Batu- conquers and rules Russia while leaving in place a large number of local rulers. Russian Prince’s became tributaries to the Mongols. Peasants sought protection and became serfs under the Russian nobles Trade was encouraged and peasants punished for not paying taxes.

The Pax Monglia Peak of Mongolian Power: huge areas of Asia and Europe were under one rule, there was a period of Mongol Peace. For almost a century (That’s almost a 100 years people)- Mongol Rule united Two continents and allowed for relatively safe trade and contacts between very different cultures. How you Ask? Well maybe- They eliminated Tariffs! Trade on the Silk Road reached its greatest height (NOT JUST GOODS!) Paper Money ( Thank you Chinese!)- was used throughout the Mongol Empire Mongols converted to or adopted local religions (or lets just say at least they were religiously tolerant)

Final Mongol Thoughts They were successful conquerors but poor administrators Overspending led to inflation in different corners of the Empire The Death of Kublai, left the Yuan with weak and ineffective leadership. Rivalry among successors of the Great Khan in China further destabilized the empire and vast domain was divided amongst generals. The Il-Khante of Persia ended when the last Mongol ruler died without an heir. (government went to local leaders) By 1350- most of the Mongols huge territory had been re-conquered by other armies.