1. The Mongols

2. Background:
Steppe-dry grassland land trade route connecting the east and the west and home to many nomadic people

3. Other Vocab: Nomad-a person who roams from place to place.
Pastorialists-people who herded domesticated animals/nomads/on the move searching for pasture.
Clans-groups of nomads who traveled together.
Khan-Clan leader

4. The Mongols
Nomadic Tribe from Central Asia Temujin (a Mongol clan leader) unified his clans and became known as Genghis Khan- “universal leader.” Genghis Khan led the Mongols in conquest for 21 years helping to build the largest empire in history.

5. G.K’s Reasons for Success
-brilliant organizer
-gifted strategist (used spies, dummies, and surprise attacks)
-new weapons and tech. (catapults, gunpowder).

6. The Mongols Genghis died in 1227 (of illness)
In less than 50 years the Mongols conquered from China to Poland creating the largest unified empire in history.
By 1260 the Mongol Empire was divided into 4 Khanates, each ruled by a descendant of Genghis.

7. 4 Khanates

8. Kulbai Khan Grandson of Genghis Khan ruled beginning in 1260.
Conquered China and created the 1st non-Chinese dynasty-The Yuan Dynasty.
Lasted less than 100 years
United China for the 1st time in 300 years
Opened China up to foreign contact and trade.
Tolerated Chinese culture and made few changes.

9. Pax Mongolia Mongol Golden Age mid 1200’s-1300’s
Safe passage of trade caravans, travelers, and missionaries from one end of the empire to the other.
Increased trade between Europe and Asia (including intro of gunpowder to Europe)

10. Decline of Mongol Rule Kublai Khan died in 1294
Mongol rule weakened after his death
Within 74 years the Yuan Dynasty ended and Chinese rule was restored with the Ming Dynasty
Empire became too big to control