1. Topic: The Yuan Dynasty 1279-1368 CE
Unit: China

2. Essential Question:
How did the Mongols come to rule China and what were the major factors in the end of their rule???

3. Nomads of the Asian Steppe
Geography of the Steppe
Steppe—dry grassland of Eurasia (Europe and Asia —provides home for nomads.
Dry arid climate with extreme temperatures.
Steppe nomads are pastoralists—herd domesticated animals.
Way of life teaches Asian nomads to be skilled horse riders.

4. Visual 1 of Asian steppes

5. Visual 2 nomadic tents

6. Genghis, “The Universal Ruler”
A brilliant organizer and strategist, uses brutality to terrorize his enemies.
By 1225, Genghis Khan controls central Asia.
Genghis Khan dies in 1227 and his successors continue conquests for 50 years.
The Mongols conquer territory from China to Eastern Europe

7. Kublai Khan A New Emperor
Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis, conquers China by 1279.
Kublai established the Yuan Dynasty ( ), a period of peace and relative prosperity.
Kublai adopts Chinese ways, and builds capital at Beijing.

8. Brain
Snack . . . .

9. Episode 5: “The Plague” 00:00-11:52

10. Ponder Answer these reflective questions?
Why were Mongols such an intimidating enemy?
How did the Mongols connect their vast empire?

11. Mongol Rule in China
Kublai is tolerant and does not force the Chinese to adopt Mongol ways.
Some Mongols adopt aspects of Chinese culture, like Confucianism.
Still, Chinese are resentful of rule by foreigners, whom they saw as rude and uncivilized.

12. Mongol Rule in China
Mongols keep control by preventing scholar officials from gaining too much power and levying heavy taxes.
Taxes used to expand public works projects
Kublai extends Grand Canal to Beijing, and builds a highway.

13. Growth of Trade Yuans favor a policy of non-isolationism
Mongol soldier presence, kept overland trade routes (Silk Road) safe for Merchants, increasing overland trade
Mongol Emperors welcome foreign traders at Chinese ports, increasing overseas trade.

14. Marco Polo at the Mongol Court
Venetian trader, Marco Polo, visits China in 1275.
Polo returns to Venice in 1292; tells stories of what he saw in China.
Fabulous cities, fantastic wealth
Burning “black stones (coal) to heat Chinese homes
Kublai Khan’s government and trade in Beijing

15. Factors of the Fall of the Yuan Dynasty
Chinese resentment of foreign rule and heavy taxes.
Extensive public works projects weakened the economy.
Failed invasions of Japan weaken the Mongol Military.
Bent on conquest, Kublai tries and fails to Conquer Japan in 1274 and 1281.
In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang leads a rebellion and reunifies China under the Ming Dynasty.