2. "The Bridge between Eastern and Western Cultures" All empires from sunrise to sunset have been given to us, and we own them. -Guyuk Third Great Khan of the Mongols The Mongolian Empire

3. Who were the Mongols? Nomads who lived on the steppe Central Asia Tribal with strong clan ties First united together under the great Mongol ruler Genghis Khan

4. Who was Genghis Khan? Mongol leader Great military leader United the tribes Gained control of a vast empire Instilled fear in the conquered

5. All who surrender will be spared; whoever does not surrender but opposes with struggle and dissension, shall be annihilated. --Genghis Khan

6. Mongolian Empire at its height in 1200’s CE

7. Largest land empire At it’s height, the Mongol empire was the largest land empire the world has ever known! Bigger than the Persian Empire! Bigger than Alexander’s Empire! Bigger than Rome! Bigger than Byzantium!

8. When Genhgis Khan died his empire was divided among his sons and grandsons: khanates (like separate states or empires) His grandson Kublai Khan gains the khanate of the east including China

9. Kublai Khan Grandson of Genhis Khan Ruled in China Government: only Mongols and foreigners…no Chinese in high positions- why? But respected and were interested in Chinese culture Got rid of Civil Service Exam Postal/communication system connected Beijing to Vienna using horses; 1400 postal stations; trade flourished; merchants converted their $$ to Chinese paper money

10. Kublai Khan Continued Marco Polo the great Italian explorer: From Venice Served in the Khans court for 17 yrs Wrote about his travels to China…no one believed him Increased the status of artisans/actors/merchants

11. Kublai’s successors were weak Divided the empire among various generals by 1350, most of the empire was reconquered by other armies

12. The Khanate of the Golden Horde invades Russia and controls eastern Europe

13. Mongol Impact Pax Mongolia United large territory for about a century 2 continents were united under one rule; safe trade; etc Cultural diffusion Gun powder Trade of food, tools, ideas $$ for traders (esp. in Venice and Genoa) Bubonic Plague (AKA Black death) Killed 1/3 of W. Europe and 50% of the population in other areas Ended feudalism in W Europe

14. Summary Began as nomads and challenged the sedentary peoples for control Often portrayed as barbarians; destructive conquerors, but they brought peace, religious toleration, laws and unity to their empire Empire included Central Asia, China, Persia, Tibet, Iraq, Asia Minor, and Southern Russia Bridged gaps between East and West