1. 12.2 – The Mongol Conquests

2. Geography of the Steppe
Eastern section (Mongolia) – home of the Huns, Turks, & the Mongols
Short grasses & little rain
Dramatic temperature changes
Movements west & south = milder climate & more rainfall

3. Nomads Pastoralists = Nomads that herd domesticated animals
Follow seasonal pattern of movement = battle over grassland & water
Depend on animals for everything
Travel together, forming clans
Raid & plunder other clans or weakened/divided empires

5. Rise of the Mongols
1206: Mongols united by Temujin; takes title of Genghis Khan (“universal ruler”)
Ruthless campaigns across Asia
Slaughters those who don’t surrender
Destroys Cities (ex. Samarkand)
Gains vast riches = plunder
1225: Central Asia under Mongol rule

6. The Conqueror Brilliant Organizer Great Strategist Cruel
Small, mobile armies of 10k w/ leaders being most experienced & loyal
Great Strategist
Feint-&-Attack – Fall back & spring the trap
Siege warfare = launch diseased cows into cities
Cruel
Threatened to kill an entire cities if they didn’t surrender = causes many to surrender w/o a fight
Dies in 1227 from illness

7. Genghis Khan’s Empire

8. Empire
X<50yrs: Control lands stretching from China to Poland = largest unified land empire in history
Even defeat China, invade Korea, & conquer Persia
Divide empire into 4 regions or khanates, each ruled by a descendant of Genghis Khan
Khanate of the Great Khan (Mongolia & China)
Khanate of Chagatai (Central Asia)
Ilkhanate (Persia)
Khanate of the Golden Horde (Russia)

10. Mongol Rule Many areas never recover:
Populations wiped out
Irrigation destroyed
Ferocious in war, tolerant in peace
Allow peoples to keep culture & beliefs; even adopt aspects as well
Ex: Golden Horde & Ilkhanate become Muslim
Cultural differences b/w khanates leads to splitting of the empire (eventual)

11. Mid-1200s – Mid-1300s – Stability reigns across Mongol lands = Pax Mongolica
“Mongolian Peace”
Guarantee safe passage across empire for travelers & trade
Ideas & inventions flow east & west
Ex. Gunpowder
Bad: Bubonic plague spread west b/c of Mongols
Pax Mongolica