1. Why are they historically significant?
The Mongols
“The Mongols made no technological breakthroughs, founded no new religions, wrote few books or dramas”
Why are they historically significant?

2. To Compare…
Imagine if… “the U.S., instead of being created by a group of educated merchants and wealthy planters, had been founded by one of its illiterate slaves, who, by the sheer force of personality, charisma, and determination, liberated America from foreign rule, united the people,…invented a new system of warfare, marched an army from Canada to Brazil, and opened roads of commerce in a free-trade zone that stretched across the continents.”
– Jack Weatherford in Genghis Khan

3. A Quick Background… Nomads Genghis Khan chosen leader Need water
Lead conquest looking for rain water
Found the greatest opportunity was trade → horses

4. Who Are the Mongols? Declared themselves descendants of Huns
Founded 1st steppe empire
Called “Tartars”
Means “people from hell”
Mongols not originally part of Tartars
Killed many
Many rose to prominence
Became synonymous with Mongols

5. Adaptation of local societies/talents Timing
What were the key factors that allowed fewer than 125,000 nomadic warriors to build the largest empire in world history?
Military prowess
Adaptation of local societies/talents
Timing
Fragmentation of postclassical states

6. Impact of the Mongols
The Mongols created a single economic, cultural, and sociological world system
Mongol Exchange
New methods of warfare
Trade from Venice to Beijing and beyond
Cultural diffusion

7. Chronology of the Mongol Empire
1206 – 1227 Reign of Genghis Khan
1211 – 1234 Conquest of Northern China
1219 – 1221 Conquest of Persia
1237 – 1241 Conquest of Russia
1258 Capture of Baghdad
1264 – 1279 Conquest of Southern China

8. Temujin: Leader of the Mongols
Temujin (aka Genghis Khan)
Mastered the art of steppe diplomacy which called for:
Displays of personal courage in battle
Combined with intense loyalty to allies
A willingness to betray others to improve one’s position
The ability to entice other tribes into cooperative relationships
Was responsible for bringing together all Mongol tribes into a single confederation

9. Wise words from Genghis Khan
“Man’s greatest joy is in victory: to conquer one’s enemies, to pursue them, to deprive them of their possessions, to make their beloved weep, to ride on their horses, and to embrace their wives and daughters…”

10. Strong Equestrians and Archers
Mongols were oriented around mobility
Kept horses with them
Drank their blood to stay alive
Traveled up to 62 miles/day
Elaborate priority mail system
Messages traveled across Eurasia
Mongol archers were very deadly and accurate
Arrows could kill enemies at 200 meters (656 ft)

11. Mongol War Equipment Protective shield Armor Undergarments Weapons
Lacquered leather
Armor
Overlapping iron
Undergarments
Silk
Wool
Weapons
Battle axe
Scimitar
Lance
Re-curved

12. Psychological Warfare
Fake retreats combined with horse archers
Slaughtered few cities
Scared others to surrender without fight
Smarts > Bravery
Spared those who surrendered without resistance
Resistance led to ruthless slaughter
Used human shields
Put on the front line of their army

13. Genghis Khan
In 25 years, subjugated more land and people than the Romans did in 400 years
Destroyed LOTS of ‘less important cities’ to funnel commerce into routes that his army could more easily supervise and control
Often along less accessible trade routes

14. Genghis Khan Cont’d Valued individual merit & loyalty
Fighting wasn’t honorable, winning was
Used any means necessary
Conscripted peasants
Refugees preceded Mongol attacks
LOVED negative PR
Allowed and encouraged true and false stories
Fought on the move

15. Khan’s Innovations Perfected siege warfare
Used resources vs. supply train
Ensured support for fallen soldiers
Reorganized army
Mix of tribal/ethnic people that lived and fought together
Transcended kinship, ethnicity, and religion
Religious tolerance
Postal system
Writing system
Abolished torture & insisted on rule of law
Even he was accountable for these laws