1. The Mongol Empire

2. Background Nomadic Tribal organization
Two social classes- aristocrats and commoners
Religion- Shamanism
Religious pluralism
Outstanding Calvary forces; military power

3. Genghis Khan Khan = Ruler Organized federation of tribes
Unified Mongol tribes
Broke up tribal affiliations
Chose high officials based on talent and loyalty
Est. capital at Karakorum
Conquest of N. China and Persia (Khwarazm)

4. Division of Empire
Heirs divide into 4 regional kingdoms (Khanates)

5. China: Yuan Dynasty Est. Khubilai Khan (grandson)
Restored Chinese govt/unifed China
Direct rule /Bureaucracy
Tolerated all cultural/religious traditions
Ended exam system

6. New Social Hierarchy
Mongols; foreigners; northern Chinese; Southern Chinese
Stimulation of trade
Favored merchants & peasants over elites
Gov’t tax collectors

7. Mongol Women
Remained independent
No foot binding
Rights to property

8. Middle East
Created two khanates
Ilkhanate of Persia & Khanate Of Jagadai
Tax Farming – Govt sold contracts to merchants who would bring in the most revenue; merchants collect taxes and keep anything over contracted amount
Destroyed numerous cities- Baghdad 1258
Ghazan converted to Islam in 1295

9. Russia “The Golden Horde”
Russia divided into numerous kingdoms centered on trade cities
Conquered by-Batu
Ruled from afar- used Orthodox Church and
Russian princes to help ruler
Moscow – center of Russian civ.

10. Over-taxation by Russian princes- peasants enter serfdom (Moscow)
Mongol rule reinforced cultural isolation from western Europe