1. Mongol Eurasia & Its Aftermath 1200-1500

2. Nomadism in Central Asia
Resources
Scarce water = Pressure for tribes to move out to find new sources
Complex federations
The groups /families formed larger groups called federations
Women important in negotiating alliances
Seasonal migrations and religious contacts
Brought into contact w/: Manichaeism, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, & Islam
Tolerant of other Religions
Khan thought to represent the sky god
Hierarchical organization
Headed by single leader or Khan
Khan’s decision had to be ratified by a council of leaders of powerful families
Power groups demanded and received tribute in the form of slaves and goods
Some lived entirely on tribute

3. Genghis Khan Temujin aka Genghis (Chinggis) Khan
Mastered the art of steppe diplomacy
called for displays of personal courage in battle, combined with intense loyalty to allies, a willingness to betray others to improve one’s position and the ability to entice other tribes into cooperative relationships
Was responsible for bringing together all Mongol tribes into a single confederation
The four most significant legacies of Genghis Khan are:
his tolerance of many religions
his creation of the Mongols' first script
his support for trade and crafts
his creation of a legal code specific to the Mongols' pastoral-nomadic way of life

4. Mongol Conquests 1206-1258 conquered form Korea to Hungary and Baghdad
Reputation for slaughtering all who would not surrender
Ability to take advantage of rivalry among enemies
Ability to conquer based on:
Horsemanship
Better bows
Following a volley of arrows w/ deadly cavalry
Willing and actually adopting new military techniques
Adopt new military technology (catapults-China & Central Asia)
Incorporate non Mongol soldiers into their armies

5. Strong Equestrians and Archers
The Mongols were oriented around extreme mobility. They carried their houses with them, drank their own horse's blood and milk to stay alive, and could travel up to 62 miles per day.
They had an elaborate priority-mail-system which allowed orders to be transmitted rapidly across Eurasia.
Mongol archers were very deadly and accurate
Their arrows could kill enemies at 200 meters (656 feet)
Modified stirrup
‘Terror’ tactics (noise making arrows)

6. Impact of the Mongols Mongol conquests opened overland trade routes
Demographic change via the plague and major population shifts
Never before seen commercial integration in Eurasia
Trade from Venice to Beijing and beyond
Long distance trade led to cross diffusion of military and science between Europe, Middle East, China and Iran.

7. Shortly after Genghis Khan’s death in 1227, his empire split
into four Khanates among sons & grandsons (P 328).