1. The Mongols lived in the steppes.
The steppes are dry, treeless
grasslands in Central Asia.

2. The open space of the steppes
allowed the Mongols to become
skilled horsemen.

3. The Mongols developed a
nomadic culture.

4. Perhaps the most famous
Mongol in world history was
Chinggis (Genghis) Khan.

5. Chinggis Khan was born in
1162 A.D. and died in 1227 A.D.

6. Chinggis Khan united the
Mongol tribes.

7. This was a difficult task since
the various Mongol tribes
frequently fought each other.

8. Oh, and the word “Khan” means
ruler. Yes, Chinggis Khan was
a great ruler.

9. Once Chinggis Khan united the
Mongols, he created a body of
laws for the Mongols known
as the Yassa.

10. Harsh punishments were given
to those who broke the Law.

11. The great Khan demanded
complete loyalty.

12. He imposed strict discipline on
his followers. His soldiers had
to be tough and fearless.

13. The Khan’s soldiers could travel for days on a few grains
of rice and a cup of milk.

14. Once united and disciplined,
the Mongols, under Chinggis
Khan, set about conquering
a vast empire.

15. Chinggis Khan and his
successors conquered an
empire that stretched from
the Pacific Ocean to the Black Sea.

16. The Mongol army swept over
Asia and Europe. In Europe,
this army was known as the “Golden Horde”.

17. At the death of Chinggis Khan, the empire was divided among his sons.

18. Chinggis Khan changed world
history by uniting the Mongols
and leading the conquest of
a vast empire.