TheMongols

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Introduction to Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire

My tough grandson, Kublai,Alexander conquered lands as far as India. Aww, that’s cute. If Genghis Khan, so Khan you!

-Genghis P.S. Watch out for typhoons…

We conquered almost all of Asia! Thanks for the tip, Gramps. I’m off to play a game. -KublaiMarco…

Geography and the People

• Central Asia’s steppes: good for grazing, little rain, few rivers

• Sheep, Goats, Horses (Mare’s milk)

• Flock survival

• Gers/Yurts (dwelling/tent)

• Robes – dei

• Two social classes

• nobles and commoners

Nomadic Peoples and Their Animals

Housing and Clothing

Nomadic Class System

Background Information------

Temujin → Genghis Khan

• Genghis (Chinggis) Khan was born Temujin around 1162CE.

• At the time the Mongols were greatly divided and constantly warring.• Stealing, kidnapping, and murder were

commonplace among tribes.• Ex #1: Temujin’s own father was

poisoned to death by a rival clan.• Ex #2: Temujin murdered his ½

brother to take control of his household (teenager).

• Temujin’s wife was kidnapped by a rival clan.• In a daring rescue, Temujin reclaimed his

wife while making alliances along the way… thus began his ascent to power.

The Rise of Genghis Khan• Promoted his military leaders based on ability NOT family name.

• Unified Mongol tribes through alliances and conquests.

• Killed all leaders of rival tribes and absorbed the remaining men into his own army.

• By 1205, he had no rivals left and united all of the Mongol tribes taking the title “Chinggis Khan” or “Universal Ruler”…known to the West as “Genghis Khan”.

• Using unprecedented speed and brutal tactics, the Mongols under the leadership of Genghis Khan built the largest contiguous land empire in world history (seen on the map at the time of his death)

The Expansion of the Mongols

During the reign of Genghis Khan, a messenger and postal station system was created throughout the Mongol Empire. Under Kublai Khan/Yuan Dynasty (grandson of Genghis), this system included the China.

Postal stations:

• were used for the transmission and delivery of official mail.

• were available for traveling officials, military men, and foreign dignitaries.

• aided and facilitated the transport of foreign/domestic tribute and trade.

• By the end of Kublai Khan's rule, there were more than 1,400 postal stations in China.

• About 50,000 horses, 1,400 oxen, 6,700 mules, 400 carts, 6,000 boats, over 200 dogs, & 1,150 sheep.

• Postal stations were 15 to 40 miles apart and had reliable attendants.

• Couriers reaching postal stations were provided food, shelter and spare horses.

• Couriers could travel approx. 20-30 miles per day.

• Foreign observers, such as Marco Polo attested to the efficiency of this early postal system.

Mongols and Eurasian Integration

Silk Road and Trade Routes• Mongols worked to secure trade routes and ensure safety of merchants.

• Had elaborate courier network with relay stations. (see Postal slide)

• Maintained good order for traveling merchants, ambassadors, and missionaries.

Role of Women in the Mongol Society• Mothers of rulers often managed the empire b/tw the death of one ruler and rise of another.

• Marriages were arranged to combine resources and make alliances.

• Women had some power in negotiation and management.

• Women's labor was crucial:

• Packed up and moved the yurts.

• Made their own clothes, rugs, flags, and covering for horses.

• Processed the milk, cheese and meat (basic Mongolian diet).

• Women responsible for the livestock.

• Usually each adult woman had her own herd of sheep to tend.

Expansion Continued…

• Even after Genghis Khan’s death in 1227, the empire continued to grow.

• Eventually, it developed into four kingdoms or ‘Khanates’. (see the map below)

• Kipchak (Golden Horde)

• Great Khan (Yuan under Kublai Khan)

• Chagatai (Central Asia)

• IL-Khanate (Persia)

Mongol Siege Warfare

• Psychological warfare- reputation for brutality preceded them and persuaded people to surrender peacefully.

• Extraordinary horsemen- ability to use deadly accuracy with a bow and arrow while riding at a full gallop. (A skill still used today for competition in Mongolia.)

• The bow, made of layered lacquered wood, bone, & leather, could shoot farther than the bows of their enemies.

• First, they used arrows to kill the opponent’s marksmen.

• Second, used sword, lance, and javelin in hand to hand combat.

The Mongol Empire compared to Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great Genghis Khan + Kublai Khan c. 1279

Mongol Empire compared to different Empires

Decline of the Yuan Dynasty

• Mongols were seen as outsiders.

• Rebellions arose among Chinese farmers.

• Paper money issued by the Mongol rulers lost value.

• Power struggles, assassinations, and civil war weakened Mongols after the 1320s.

Bubonic Plague

• Found in southwest China c. 1330s.

• Spread through Asia and Europe.

• Depopulation and labor shortage undermined the Mongol regime.

• By 1368, the Chinese drove the Mongols back to the steppes.

After Kublai Khan died in 1294, the empire became corrupted and stopped expanding to start its decline. The Yuan dynasty became weaker and the Mongols began losing control over khanates in Russia, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

Mongol Decline