1. Aim: Was the legacy of the Mongols positive or negative?
Do Now: What do you know about the Mongols?

3. I Geography and the Mongols
A) The Mongols were nomadic warriors. They lived in the steppes (flat grassland) and Gobi desert north of China.
B) Orkhon is the longest river in Mongolia
C) Dairy is the staple of their diet; yak or horse milk is made into butter, yogurt, and cheese.

4. Geography and the Mongols Continued…
Europeans called Mongols the Golden Horde due to gold color of Mongol yurts (tents) in the sun. They could be transported on wheels!

5. II Mongolian Military
A) Skilled horseback riders; they could ride up to 100 miles per day! B) Weapons: crossbows and the catapult. During the Black Death, the Mongols catapulted the bodies of plague victims towards their enemies. C) All males served in the army as cavalry. They were NOT paid, but they all shared in captured booty! D) Soldiers were promoted based on merit not their family’s status.

6. Above: Mongols trained eagles to hunt. Below Left: Scimitar Sword
Mongol armor was made from silk. Silk would absorb sweat & was much lighter to wear than European armor. If a Mongol fell off his horse, he could get back up!
Above: Mongols trained eagles to hunt.
Below Left: Scimitar Sword

7. II Genghis Khan ( )
A) In 1206 CE Temujin, age 42, became known as Genghis Khan “Universal Ruler”. By brutal force, he had united the fragmented nomadic tribes of Mongolia. - He was benevolent towards those who submitted, but used terror and bloodshed towards those who did not. B) Genghis Khan created a body of law. 1. Banned the kidnapping of women 2. Stealing animals became a capital offense 3. Regulated winter hunting to ensure food for all
DNA studies have revealed that Genghis Khan has 16 million living descendants today! – National Geographic, 2010

8. Genghis Khan Continued…
C) Genghis’s grandson Batu (1207 – 1255) invaded Russia, and parts of Eastern Europe. His army left Eastern Europe quickly, but remained in Russia for 200 years. *Recall that the Mongols destroyed so much of Russia’s infrastructure, that Russia was cut off from Western Europe for centuries!
Batu

9. Genghis Khan Continued…
E) Kublai Khan ( ), another grandson of Genghis, conquered the southern Song Dynasty of China. Because Kublai admired Chinese culture, rather than destroying it, he created his own Chinese dynasty; the Yuan!

10. III The Yuan Dynasty (1271 – 1368)
A) The Mongols ruled from their capital Dadu (now Beijing) B) The Mongols encouraged trade by keeping the Silk Road safe, expanding the Grand Canal, and welcoming foreign diplomats and merchants. This period of economic growth and stability was known as the Pax Mongolia.*The most famous visitor to the Khan’s Court under the Yuan Dynasty was Marco Polo. C) The Mongol rulers discriminated against the native Chinese; only Mongols or foreigners could serve in the government.
Yuan Dynasty Porcelain Vase
A Yuan Dynasty Hand Scroll

11. The Yuan Dynasty Continued…
Marco Polo on Kublai Khan’s Court in the Yuan Dynasty: “Great indeed were the… merry-making with which the Great Khan and all his Court welcomed the arrival of these emissaries [ambassadors]... They stayed at Court and had a place of honor..."
Marco Polo on Kublai Khan’s Defense System in the Yuan Dynasty:
"And I must tell you that every man who keeps a hostel for travelers is bound to register their names, as well as the day and month of their arrival and departure. And thus the King hath the means of knowing… who come and go throughout his dominions... the Great Khan… ordained that each of the 12,000 bridges should be provided with a guard of ten men, in case of any disturbance, or of any being so rash as to plot treason or insurrection against him..."

13. IV Mongols Tried to Invade Japan
The Mongols tried to invade Japan by way of Korea. But the Mongols were poor sea farers, and the strong kamikaze winds were too strong.

14. V Mongols and the Islamic Empire
1258 the Mongols sacked Baghdad and executed the last Abbasid caliph, ending the dynasty.
1260 the Mongols were defeated by the Mamluk (slave) dynasty of Egypt.
Mamluks in Egypt

15. VI Death Toll of the Mongols
Approximately 40 million people died due to the Mongol invasions.
“The greatest joy a man can know is to conquer his enemies and drive them before him. To ride their horses and take away their possessions. To see the faces of those who were dear to them bedewed with tears, and to clasp their wives and daughters in his arms.” – Genghis Khan

16. Summary: Fill in the chart
The Mongol legacy was positive because:
The Mongol legacy was negative because:

17. Key Vocabulary Abbasid Dynasty Pax Mongolia Batu Khan Silk Road
Genghis Khan
Steppe
Gobi Desert
Temujin
Golden Horde
Yuan Dynasty
Kublai Khan
Yurt
Mamluks
Marco Polo
Mongols