Aim: Why was the Mongol empire so important to history? L46 Mongols Do Now: Copy this quote and write a 2-3 sentence response to the writing prompt “The Mongols made no technological breakthroughs, founded no new religions, wrote few books or dramas” Why is this historically significant?

A. Location Largest land empire ever!! Nomads Need for water leads to conquest - Central Asia lacked rain for agriculture

B. Mongol’s method of governing Conquered people paid tribute –then could maintain their own culture In China- Allowed freedom of religion (reduced chances of rebellion) Encouraged intermarriage with conquered people.

C. Rule in Eurasia Led to harsh and strict methods of control to develop in Russian and Chinese governments (after the Mongols leave as well) Created peace and stability that led to trading interactions with Europe (PAX MONGOLIA!!!)

Fun Facts Declared themselves to be descendents of Huns (may or may not have been true) Nicknamed Tartars- “people from hell”

What was the Mongol Empire all about? Analyze the documents together as a group. Organize the new information you gather from the documents about the Mongol empire in either a chart or bulleted outline that contains the following categories: Government,, Culture, Economics, Conquests, Legacy **Keep in mind last weeks activity on the Byzantine Empire to help guide the type of information you organize

Mongol Empire – History as a mystery activity Gov Culture Economics Conquests Legacy Emperor gets all the best materials (Ghengis Khan) Monarchy (1) Controlled the most territory and population of any empire!! (6) - Built roads to hold their empire together for both travel and trade, and protection (5) --- CULTURAL DIFFUSION - They controlled land all over Eurasia!! (influence over trade) (3) - Built roads to hold their empire together for both travel and trade, and protection (5) - Conquered Russia, controlled Kiev (Russian capital) – 2 They controlled land all over Eurasia!! (3) Mongols totally destroy Demascus b/c they don’t please him (4) Conquered Russia, controlled Kiev (Russian capital) – 2 - They controlled land all over Eurasia!! (3)

Aim: How did Ghengis Khan change the Mongol Empire? L47GhengisKhan Do Now: Describe the Mongol Empire in 3 words!!

I. Life of Ghengis Khan Childhood Adulthood Father was murdered when he was 10 Born Temujin changed his name when he became a leader. Adulthood As a military leader, any soldier who disobeyed him or showed cowardice on the battlefield was “drawn and quartered” (ripped apart by a horse!)

Ghenghis Khan Fun Facts In 25 years, subjugated more land & people than the Romans did in 400 years. LOVED negative PR: allowed & encouraged true or false stories to be circulated in order instill fear.

II Mongol Decline Death of Ghengis Khan After his death, the unified Mongol Empire is split into four separate khanates, each with their own ruler. Mongol military and political power declines. Tamerlane the Great This brutal Mongol Khan (ruler) attacked the ruler of the neighboring khanate. This leads to further weakening of Mongol unity and military power. His harsh methods of treating conquered people leads to mass rebellion after his death. His khanate collapses soon after.

C. Disunity and Disorganization Without 1 strong ruler, Mongol rulers fight amongst each other. Incompetent khans are appointed who lack the skills to keep conquered people under control. In China, the Yuan Dynasty established by Kublai Khan crumbles after his death.

The wisdom of Ghengis Khan: “Man’s greatest joy is in victory: to conquer one’s enemies, to pursue them, to deprive them of their possessions, to make their beloved weep, to ride on their horses, and to embrace their wives and daughters…”

THE GOOD (accomplishments & contributions) Military Strategy & Innovation – Cavalry, Horse Archers, surprise attacks, sieges - Genghis first needed to disband tribal loyalties Religious Tolerance (converted to all faiths in region except Hinduism) Common Legal Code Utilized skills of conquered peoples – artisans, soldiers

THE GOOD (accomplishments & contributions) Discipline, obedience to own laws Sense of honor and loyalty, respect for these qualities in others, even opponents High status of women These qualities attested to even by European observers who generally detested the Mongols

THE GOOD, cont… Golden Horde was the only group to successfully conquer Russia Created largest continental empire in history TRADE – source of diffusion – goods, ideas & people - under Mongol rule it was less risky  Pax Mongolica

The Mongol Empire at its height

THE BAD – (failures & struggles) Constant in-fighting for power – “Khan” Genghis never setup centralized rule, Kublai struggled with it (Yuan Dynasty) Kublai failed to conquer Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia & Japan Inability to control China without considerable force Over-spending

Shortly after Chinggis Khan’s death, his empire split into four Khanates

THE BAD, cont… THE PLAGUE!!! Over-extension – loss of control in Persia Struggle between nomadic lifestyle and need to settle (centralized government)

THE UGLY – (What!?! Those Mongols were CRAZY!!) Surrender or Die Looting & Destruction of Cities Massacres (1.6 Million in 1 Afghan city, as many as 18.4 Million total killed) Use of organized tactical terror All exemplified by the Ilkhanate’s conquering of Middle East (Persia)

THE UGLY, cont… Lots of Babies - as many as .5% of the Earth’s current male population can trace genetic lineage back to Genghis (500 wives & concubines) Plague catapults – biological warfare? Strange diet, hairstyles and odor Cannibalism? Genghis’ funeral parade of death?