The Mongol Conquest
Asian Nomads Mongolian Steppe- grassland, good trade route and pastures Pastoralists- herd domesticated animals Always moving with seasons Traded or Raided Loosely organized for centuries
Rise of Mongols Mongol Clans- kinship groups, travel together United under Temujin 1206 Kahn= clan leader Genghis= universal Good organizer and strategist Used new weapons, tech, terror Killed entire populations
Mongol Empire Largest land empire Divided into 4 Khanates Adopted local cultures Peace time increases trade/cultural exchange with Europe and Asia
The Great Khan Empire
Kublai Kahn Grandson of Genghis First foreigner to rule China Founded the Yuan Dynasty Moved capital to Beijing Opened to foreign trade Failed to conquer Japan Kamikaze= divine wind
Mongol Rule in China Mongol ways didn’t work in China Used foreigners as “high ups” in gov’t Trustworthy Kublai lead China to economic prosperity Encouraged foreigners to visit Europe hears of advances: Marco Polo Kublai Palace
Palace of Kublai Khan
End of Mongol Rule Fruitless wars, taxation, overspending Kublai’s death- Chinese rebels overthrow Establish Ming Dynasty Mongol Culture influenced cultures from Europe to Asia