The Mongols

Where are the Mongols from?

• North of China• Steppe:

Plateaus

• Big differences in Temperature (- 57 to 96 F)

Early Mongols

• Nomads– Horseback riders

• Small clans

Mongols Unite

• Around 1200 ad the Mongols clans were united by one leader named Temujin

• He took the title Ghenghis Khan in 1206– It means

“Universal Ruler”

Khan expands the Mongols

• Khan wants to be leader of Asia

• First begins with attacking Jin Dynasy (China) in 1211

• Then areas west of Mongolia

• Then Central Asia

Why was Khan so successful?

• Mongols were superior to others on horseback– Stirrup

• Organized– Legions of

10,000 men

• Brilliant strategy• Cruelty

At Khan’s death in 1227, this is his empire

The Khanates

Mongols as Leaders

• Destroyed areas and population• Fierce against enemies or opposition• Did not force beliefs• In some cases, some adapted to areas beliefs,

ex Ilkhans (in India they were called Mughals) and Golden Horde became Muslims.

Pax Mongolia

• Time period of Mongols peace from mid 1200 to mid 1300s

• Mongols guarantee safety in trade expands

Kublai Khan

• Becomes the Great Khan in 1260, grandson of Genghis

• Although he is the ruler of the entire Mongols empire, he only focuses on his own khanate

Khan leaves Mongol way of life

• Instead of ruling from Mongolia, Kublai rules from China (Yuan Dynasty)

• Makes Beijing his capital

• Creates huge palace

Kublai attempts to expand empire: Japan

• Khan attempted to invade Japan but was defeated after 53 days

• “Magical Winds” – Typhoon

Khan adapts

• Kublai Khan adapts to Chinese culture– Used Chinese advisors but

gave high positions to Mongols or foreigners

– Expands trade over Silk Road

Khan meets Marco Polo

• Marco Polo meets Khan in 1275

• Became friends– Trusted– Worked for Khan for 17

years before returning to Europe

End of the Mongols

• After Death of Khan, over time the Mongols grew weak and poor

• Mongols could not agree on new rulers

• Rebellions all over started against Mongols for years of famine, corruption, deaths

• (Ivan III in Russia)