1. The Mongols

2. Where are the Mongols from?
North of China
Steppe: Plateaus
Big differences in Temperature (- 57 to 96 F)

3. Early Mongols Nomads Small clans
Horseback riders
Small clans
Animistic belief system (many gods, plants and inanimate objects have souls.
Intermittent warfare among small bands of raiders.

4. Mongols Unite
Around 1200CE the Mongol clans were united by one leader named Temujin
He took the title Genghis Khan in 1206
It means “Universal Ruler”

5. Khan expands the Mongols
Khan wants to be leader of Asia
First begins with attacking Jin Dynasy (China) in 1211
Then areas west of Mongolia
Then Central Asia

6. Why was Khan so successful?
Mongols were superior to others on horseback
Stirrup
Organized
Legions of 10,000 men
Brilliant strategy
Cruelty

7. At Khan’s death in 1227, this is his empire

8. The Khanates

9. Mongols as Leaders
Destroyed areas and population – entire cities were destroyed
Fierce against enemies or opposition
Did not force beliefs
Some Mongolians adapted to local beliefs (e.g., Golden Horde became Muslim)

10. Pax Mongolia Time period of Mongols peace from mid 1200 to mid 1300s
Mongols guarantee safety in trade expands