1. The Mongol Empire

2. The Mongols as Rulers The Mongol Peace
Mongol rulers are tolerant of other people and cultures.
Some Mongols adopt local ways, leading to a split among khanates.
The Mongol Peace
Peaceful period from mid-1200s to mid-1300s is called Pax Mongolica.
There was much east-west trade and exchange of ideas during this period.

3. Mongolia has always had a vibrant culture

4. Trade on the Silk Road Improved!
The size of the Mongol Empire allowed cultures of different regions to interact with each other for the first time.  - Revitalized interregional trade.
Conflict and Contact with Mongols= Gunpowder spread all over Eurasia
The "Pax Mongolica" made it safe to trade on the Silk Road, which had been too dangerous to travel on since the decline of the Abbasids around 1000 CE.

5. Trade on the Silk Road Improved!
The "Pax Mongolica" made it safe to trade on the Silk Road, which had been too dangerous to travel on since the decline of the Abbasids around 1000 CE.
- Built a system of roads and had an effective post system
Maintained and guarded the trade routes

6. The Mongol Empire (post-Genghis)

9. How did Khanates work?
Ruled by the Yasa, or decree of the Khan: SUPER STRICT AND SCARY
Meritocracy- promoted because of your skills
Religious tolerance
Mongol chiefs met with Khan in the Kurultai. (Non-democratic, decision-making discussions)
Exempted teachers, lawyers and artists from taxes!
Taxed everybody else a lot
Women treated better than in any other empire!

10. Khanate #1: "The Yuan Dynasty" in China
Kubilai Khan founded it in 1271
Grandson of Genghis

11. Khanate #1: "The Yuan Dynasty" in China

12. Yuan Dynasty Kubilai Khan used Confucian principles to rule
Kublai established the Yuan Dynasty ( ), a period of peace and prosperity.
Kublai adopts Chinese ways, and builds capital at Beijing.
Kubilai Khan used Confucian principles to rule
Controlled modern day China, Mongolia, and Korea
Also claimed title of "Great Khan" over the other three khanates—really just a title, though. . 

13. Failure to Conquer Japan
In 1274 and 1281, Kublai tries but fails to conquer Japan.
The Massive second invasion was destroyed by a typhoon.
Japanese called it kamikaze meaning “divine wind”

14. Mongol Rule in China The Mongols and the Chinese
Mongols live separately from Chinese
Mongols keep top government posts (or give them to foreigners), and put Chinese in local positions.
Kublai extends Grand Canal to Beijing, and builds a highway.

15. Marco Polo journeyed from Venice to the court of Kublai Khan

16. Marco Polo at the Mongol Court
Venetian trader, Marco Polo, visits
China in 1275.
Possibly part of Kublai’s court
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
These stories were gathered in a book, “The Travels of Marco Polo” published in – some truth some fiction

17. The End of Mongol Rule Declining Power Yuan Dynasty Overthrown
Failed expeditions to Southeast Asia show weakness of Yuan Dynasty.
High taxes cause resentment.
Yuan Dynasty Overthrown
Kublai dies in 1294; successors are weak.
In 1300s, rebellions break out, leading to formation of Ming Dynasty.

18. Khanate #2: Il-Khan Dynasty

19. Khanate #2: il-Khan (or ilkhanate)
Took over Abbasid Caliphate in 1258 
Relied too much on tax-farming and paper money from China, economic meltdown
Turkic nomads in the region started taking over
1453 Sultan Mehmet II captured Constantinople
      THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE took over!

20. Khanate #3: Chagatai! (or Chagadai)

21. Khanate #3: Chagatai Stayed independent and nomadic
Smallest, and kept splitting into smaller sections
(College Board doesn't care about them! Poor Chagatai Khanate!)

22. Khanate #4: The Golden Horde!

23. Khanate #4 The Golden Horde
The Golden Horde took over most of Russia and northern Europe in 1223
Tried paper money- didn't work
Mongols ruled from afar—Princes of Russia, esp. Moscow, collected taxes--> their towns became political, cultural, and economic centers
Broke into smaller khanates. 

24. Long-Term Impact Revitalized interregional trade
Conquered territories continued or copied the process of centralized power.
Helped to transmit the Black Death from southern China to Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Era of walled cities came to an end due to the invention of the cannon
Male Europeans replaced their tunics and robes with the Mongol-style pants and jacket combination.

25. Timeline of China’s Dynasties, 500-1500