1. The Mongol Empire

2. Life
Pax Mongolica: period of peace and protection for traders throughout Eurasia
Northern China was attacked by a nomadic people from the north called the Mongols
The Mongols were divided into separate clans led by a khan, or chief

4. Gengis Khan
Under Ghengis Khan, meaning universal ruler, the Mongols became united and created an empire
The army was highly skilled and could attack quickly using brutal tactics like burning entire villages and killing the inhabitants
Under Ghengis Khan, the Mongols conquered much of northern and central Asia

5. Kublai Khan
After his death, the empire was divided into four khanates, or regions.
Under Kublai Khan, the Mongols attempted to control all of China and Korea
At one point, the Mongol empire stretched from East Europe to Korea
Kublai Khan started the Yuan Dynasty in China and declared himself emperor of China
He heavily taxed the Chinese and did not let them serve in higher government positions
He encouraged trade and opened China to visitors including Marco Polo.

7. Sui, Tang, Song and Ming Dynasties

8. Sui Dynasty
After the Han Dynasty collapsed, Chinese military leaders split China into several rival kingdoms
They were finally reunited by Wendi, who restored order, created a unified law code, and reformed the government
His greatest achievement was the Grand Canal which connected northern and southern China.

9. Tang Dynasty
When Wendi was assassinated, a general in his army seized control and established the Tang Dynasty.
Capital in Chang’an
They improved the government by requiring Civil Service Exam in which people has to pass a written exam in order to work for the government
Tang rulers also created a flexible law code that became a model for Japan and Korea
The Tang expanded the empire increasing their exposure to other peoples which increased trade along the Silk Roads

10. Song Dynasty
After the Tang Dynasty, China was not reunified until the Song Dynasty
Under Song rule Chinese civilization became the most advanced in the world.
The Song created a capital at Kaifeng, resorted centralized government control, reformed the civil service exam
The new exam tested prospects on Confucianism
The Song were never able to regain the territories in the North or West

11. Ming Dynasty
Following the Mongol Dynasty’s collapse, the Ming Dynasty was founded
Emperor Hongwu worked to rebuild and unify China
He passed reduced taxes and passed reforms to improve trade
He also revived traditional Chinese culture
His successor, Yonglo, encouraged exploration and foreign leaders to visit China
Following the explorations the Ming’s closed their doors to all foreigners fearing the influence they had on Chinese culture
Added to the Great Wall of China

12. Chinese Cultural Achievements
Woodblock Printing- allowed for faster copying of texts by carving the texts out of wood and then covering it with ink to stamp onto a piece of paper
Movable Type- made printing much faster by creating individual letters that could be combined to make words
Paper Money- was used in order to improved trade because it was lighter and easier to use than coins
Gunpowder- was invented for fireworks and signals rather than weapons
Magnetic Compass- allowed for further sea travel

13. The Mongol Empire

14. Life
Pax Mongolica: period of peace and protection for traders throughout Eurasia
Northern China was attacked by a nomadic people from the north called the Mongols
The Mongols were divided into separate clans led by a khan, or chief

16. Gengis Khan
Under Ghengis Khan, meaning universal ruler, the Mongols became united and created an empire
The army was highly skilled and could attack quickly using brutal tactics like burning entire villages and killing the inhabitants
Under Ghengis Khan, the Mongols conquered much of northern and central Asia

17. Kublai Khan
After his death, the empire was divided into four khanates, or regions.
Under Kublai Khan, the Mongols attempted to control all of China and Korea
At one point, the Mongol empire stretched from East Europe to Korea
Kublai Khan started the Yuan Dynasty in China and declared himself emperor of China
He heavily taxed the Chinese and did not let them serve in higher government positions
He encouraged trade and opened China to visitors including Marco Polo.

19. Sui, Tang, Song and Ming Dynasties

20. Sui Dynasty
After the Han Dynasty collapsed, Chinese military leaders split China into several rival kingdoms
They were finally reunited by Wendi, who restored order, created a unified law code, and reformed the government
His greatest achievement was the Grand Canal which connected northern and southern China.

21. Tang Dynasty
When Wendi was assassinated, a general in his army seized control and established the Tang Dynasty.
Capital in Chang’an
They improved the government by requiring Civil Service Exam in which people has to pass a written exam in order to work for the government
Tang rulers also created a flexible law code that became a model for Japan and Korea
The Tang expanded the empire increasing their exposure to other peoples which increased trade along the Silk Roads

22. Song Dynasty
After the Tang Dynasty, China was not reunified until the Song Dynasty
Under Song rule Chinese civilization became the most advanced in the world.
The Song created a capital at Kaifeng, resorted centralized government control, reformed the civil service exam
The new exam tested prospects on Confucianism
The Song were never able to regain the territories in the North or West

23. Ming Dynasty
Following the Mongol Dynasty’s collapse, the Ming Dynasty was founded
Emperor Hongwu worked to rebuild and unify China
He passed reduced taxes and passed reforms to improve trade
He also revived traditional Chinese culture
His successor, Yonglo, encouraged exploration and foreign leaders to visit China
Following the explorations the Ming’s closed their doors to all foreigners fearing the influence they had on Chinese culture
Added to the Great Wall of China

24. Chinese Cultural Achievements
Woodblock Printing- allowed for faster copying of texts by carving the texts out of wood and then covering it with ink to stamp onto a piece of paper
Movable Type- made printing much faster by creating individual letters that could be combined to make words
Paper Money- was used in order to improved trade because it was lighter and easier to use than coins
Gunpowder- was invented for fireworks and signals rather than weapons
Magnetic Compass- allowed for further sea travel