Genghis Chinggis Khan Universal Ruler Temujin Rise to

Genghis (Chinggis) Khan (Universal Ruler) / Temujin • Rise to power illustrates the fluidity of nomadic society • Unifies all the tribes, but he needed enemies, pillage to keep unity

Elements of military success • Mobilization of complete male population – high status of women in tribal societies made this possible • Bow of Mongols was particularly good – accurate at very high range

Elements of military success • Horse culture; Each Mongol in battle would have 5 horses at the start of a campaign. • “Shock and awe” – ruthless or merciful • Flexible in learning new tactics: learned seige warfare, used gunpowder, built a navy • Raids and pillages first across Central Asia, citystates, regional kingdoms – outnumbered but not by that much

Conquests of Genghis Khan – Central Asia, not the high population areas

Elements of Mongol military success • A vacuum into which the Mongols moved over the course of three generations – 80 years • All their opponents were in state of decline: – Central Asia – Shahs ruling independent city-states were easist pickings – China – 2 different empires; conquered the easiest one first; armed by Song to fight Jurchens; several decades before an attempt to conquer the Song – Russia – many principalities – Abbasid Empire – in decline

The Mongol Khanates

The Four Khanates • China – Yuan Dynasty (1279 -1368) • Golden Horde – Russia (1240 -1450) – No direct control – no assimilation or change in Russian culture – Extraction of tribute from Russian princes – Turns Russia away from west, Catholism, development • Il-khanate – Persia (1258 – 1350) – – End of Abbasid Empire Destruction of much of economy Direct rule Adopt Muslim religion, assimilate to Persian traditions • Chagatai – Central Asia