1. The Mongols: Surprise of the Steppe
“Despite his image as a bloody tyrant, Genghis was also forward thinking. His empire had the first international postal system, invented the concept of diplomatic immunity, and even allowed women in its councils. But more importantly, the Mongols were also unprecedented in their religious tolerance.” - James Rollins

2. People and Places Genghis Khan (1162- 1227) Kublai Khan (1215- 1294)
Karakorum
Location of all the empires the Mongols conquered

3. Normal Nomads Life revolved around goats, sheep, and horses
Traded their products for manufactured items
Essential unit was the tribe divided into clans
These could be combined for short periods
Who does this remind you of?

4. Geography Matters!

5. 3.2.1
Tiny Temujin
Born into a harsh life that got harsher after his dad was killed
Deserted by his father’s allies and taken prisoner
Escaped and fled with his family to a friendly chieftain
Proved his military prowess over the years
Proclaimed supreme ruler in 1206

6. Mongol Military
3.2.1
Speed and mobility are the strengths of the all cavalry army
Horse archers and lancers
Organized in tumens
Adopted siege warfare from empires around them, even firearms
Important message, spy, and map making groups
Inventive tactics

7. Mobile Maruaders

8. Cruel conquest
Now united, the Mongols crumpled the Xia Xia, Jin, Kara Khitai and Khwarazam empires by Genghis’s death in 1227
None were spared from slavery or slaughter except those useful
Towns that surrendered got off with tribute
Empire divided into four khanates with Ogedei ( ) as new grand khan

9. Enormous Empire

10. King-sized Khanates

11. Kingdom at Karakorum
Founded by Genghis and made a true capital by Ogedei
Though the Mongols were shamanistic, all religions were tolerated and encouraged
The administration used all ethnicities for advice
After the bloodshed, the Pax Mongolica allowed trade, artistry, exchange, and ideas to flourish

12. Teeming with Trade

13. Hopefully you know this from the reading, but In order to properly examine the Mongols we must get rid of all notions calling them savages. Yes, the Mongols did slaughter countless people in their conquests. But then again, how many African and Indian lives were extinguished during Britain’s golden Age? A good historian does not judge by his world, but by the world of his subjects. Avoiding making a “historian’s fallacy” is a crucial step in understanding history, for it leads to higher level questioning and comprehension.