1. Kublai Khan & Marco Polo
March 30th, 2017

2. Kublai Khan Kublai Khan was Genghis Khan’s grandson
Eventually gained power over the vast empire his grandfather created
He is known for respecting and embracing the customs of lands he conquered
Admired Chinese culture

3. Kublai Khan establishes a new social system in China The Mongols and other foreigners did not have to pay taxes and enjoyed special privileges Those from northern or southern China had to do the most manual labor and pay the most taxes
Mongols
Other foreigners
People from northern China
People from Southern China

4. Never stopped wanting to expand the empire Went through many attempts to conquer more land during his reign Died at age 79 from obesity and gout

5. Marco Polo
Merchant from Venice, Italy, who traveled across the Silk Road
Silk Road was an overland trade route that linked China to Europe
Mongols revived the Silk Road, and were again able to trade goods and ideas across continents

6. Marco Polo travels along the route, and arrives in China in 1275- during Kublai Khan’s rule
Marco and Kublai became close acquaintances
Kublai made Marco a diplomat for the Mongols
Marco stays in Mongol China for 17 years

7. After Marco returned to Europe he compiled what he experienced in China into a book
Wrote about the beautiful cities and Kublai Khan’s court, as well as paper money
His book was the first time Europeans really got an idea of what life in China was like

10. What did Marco Polo see in China?