Aim Nomadic Empires TurksMongols and Eurasian Integration Mongol

Aim: Nomadic Empires (Turks/Mongols) and Eurasian Integration

Mongol Geography • Central Asian Steppe (Grassland) • Lack of Arable (Fertile) Land Focus on Animal Herding (Pastoralism) • Flat land = Horseback Riding and Travel is Very Easy

The Yurt

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Genghis Khan 1206 –Khagan (Supreme Ruler) • Unites all Mongols • Brilliant Organizer • Strategist • Harsh and Cruel Ruler • CONQUEROR NOT ADMINISTRATOR

• • • Mongol Military Might Excellent Cavalry Skills: Bow and Arrow Speed in Attack/Retreat Military Values Organization Ferocity – Surrender or EVERYONE dies • Weapons – Flaming Arrows – Gunpowder – Seige Weapons

MONGOL GOLDEN AGE PAX MONGOLIA • Extensive TRADE • Mongols ensured open and safe trade routes. • All of Eurasia has increased trade – Russia, Middle East, India, China • Great pandemic (PLAGUE) 1347 -1352 – Spread the Plague “Enjoyed such a peace that a man might have journeyed from the land of the sunrise to the land of the sunset with a golden platter upon his head without suffering the least violence from anyone. ”

Mongol Conquests SUCCESS • China • Persia • Russia • Central Asia FAILURE • JAPAN • SE ASIA • W. EUROPE • EGYPT

Re-Organization After the death of Genghis Khan… • 4 Khanates – Khanate of the Golden Horde: RUSSIA – Khanate of the Great Khan: MONGOLIA/CHINA – Khanate of Chagatia: CENTRAL ASIA – Ilkhanate/Khanate of the Il. Khans: PERSIA/MIDDLE EAST

How did Mongols treat the people they conquered? • • Demanded slavish obedience and tribute Open to new ideas/cultures Religious Tolerance (Shamanistic) New Capital – Karakorum – Confucian Scholars – Muslim Engineers – Taoist Holy Men

“In retribution for every hair on Mongol heads, it seemed that a hundred thousand heads would roll in the dust” -Mongol Court Historian

Impact of Mongol Rule Russia • Isolated Russia from Western Europe – No Renaissance, Enlightenment, Industrialization • United Russian City-States under one ruler China • Opened China up to trade and interaction • Gunpowder, Block Printing, Plague are spread Eurasia • Unprecedented levels of trade and interaction • Cultural Diffusion: Religion, Technology, etc. • The Plague

Marco Polo is an Italian Merchant who travels to China. • Kublai Khan is the leader of the Great Khan • Marco Polo serves in Kublai Khan’s Court • Marco Polo - 1 st History of China in Europe • Increases Interaction between Europe and Asia