1. Medieval Asia Part III
The Yuan Dynasty

2. Rock, Khan, Roll Kublai Khan (1215 – 1294)
Genghis Khan’s grandson
Raised by a Buddhist nurse
Brought victory in conquering the Song Dynasty
After a civil war between Mongols, established himself as Great Khan in 1260
“Rocking Son of Dschinghis Khan” – Dschinghis Khan

3. Yuan on One The Yuan Dynasty (1279 – 1368) Founded by Kublai Khan
“Great Beginnings”
Founded by Kublai Khan
Applied the same administration system as the earlier dynasties
(Han, Shang, Qin)
Given the Mandate of Heaven by Chinese historians
“Clouds”

4. Under the Khan Kublai became an Absolute Monarch
Reformed the tax system of China for better revenue to the government
Promoted international trade for revenue
“Welcome to the Pleasuredome” – Frankie Goes to Hollywood

5. …Did Kublai Khan, A Pleasure Dome Erect…
Rebuilt the Grand Canal since the Sui Dynasty (600 CE)
Increased Trade
Built Granaries
Stored food to avoid future famines
City and National parks created
Xanadu

6. Culture Clash Kublai’s court was international
Many Buddhist and Turkish officials
Policies made against Chinese
Mongols above Chinese law
Controlled major trading companies
Chinese shocked by the freedom Mongolian women had

7. Mongol Money Kublai re-introduces paper currency
Collects all the gold and silver in China
Established one of the first Fiat economies
Currency cannot be exchanged for gold or silver
Money value based off the backing of the government

8. It’s a Holiday in Mongolia
Kublai supported culture (or else)
Craftsmen and the educated were forced to live in the capital
Mongols created a cosmopolitan city
China enters….say it together now!
“Everybody Have Fun Tonight” – Wang Chung

9. Mongol Toll Mongol control made trading roads safe to travel
Religious tolerance for most religions convinced people to migrate into China
Forbids the Jewish practices of sacrifice
Muslim astrology comes to China
Crop rotation comes from the Middle East
“High Mountains Flowing Water”

10. Khan Jong-Il Invaded Korea (Goryeo) in 1260 and 1273
Became an official Yuan vassal state
Access to Korea’s navy and ports for a Japanese invasion
“Chu Shang”

11. Surf’s Up The Japanese Invasions (1274 and 1281)
Both times fleet was caught in a Tsunami storm
Kamikaze “divine wind”
150,000 killed combined
Last time Japan would be attacked until World War II
“Wipeout” – The Surfaris

12. Wave of Sickness
Constant commerce always brought the sharing of disease
A plague hit China in 1331
Reoccurring as it was not taken care of
Spread throughout the empire, killing tens of millions
Would spread to Europe as the Black Plague
Mongols lost most of their empire; Yuan Dynasty falls to the Ming
“Sick Again” – Led Zeppelin

13. The Merchants of Venice
Niccolo and Maffeo Polo
Traders from Venice
Established trading with Kublai in 1266
Kublai welcomes them and invites Christians to stay in China
Europe now has unlimited access to Chinese products
“I’m Gonne Be” – The Proclaimers

14. How Lo Can You Po Marco Polo (1254 – 1324)
Son of Niccolo
Followed father to China at 17 and stayed for 24 years
Established trade contracts with Asian markets
The Travels of Marco Polo
Book containing maps of the Silk Roads
Descriptions of Mongol China
Culture of India and Japan
“Marco Polo” – Ennio Morricone