Mongol Madness Genghis Khan 1162 1227 Kublai Khan

Mongol Madness Genghis Khan (1162? -1227) Kublai Khan (1215 -1294)

Who Were the Mongols?

Who are the Mongols? • The Mongols, a nomadic people from the steppe, conquered settled societies across Asia • They prided themselves on the skills on horseback, their discipline, their ruthlessness, and courage in battle • The Mongols built the largest unified land empire in the world. The Mongol conquest would forever transform Asia and Europe

• Steppe- dry grass covered plains • Rainfall is somewhat more plentiful and the climate milder in the western steppe than in the east. For this reason, movements of people have historically tended to be toward the west and south

Who Were the Mongols? • Nomadic people were pastoralists-that is, they herded domesticated animals. They were constantly on the move, searching for good pasture to feed their herds. • Steppe nomads traveled together in family groups called clans. The members of each clan claimed to be descended from a common ancestor

What is a Steppe?

Understanding the Mongols • The differing ways of life of nomadic and sedentary peoples resulted in constant interaction between them. • They often engaged in peaceful trade (horses for grain, metal and tea). However, during difficult times the Mongols were tempted to take things by force. • As a result, settled people lived in constant danger of raids • Occasionally a powerful group was able to conquer a whole empire and the rulers became part of that civilization

Genghis Khan • For centuries, the Mongol people had roamed the steppe in loosely organized groups (clans). • In 1206 after defeating his rivals Genghis unified the Mongol clans and became “Khan of All Between the Oceans”. • Over the next 21 years, Genghis led the Mongols in conquering much of Asia. His first goal was…CHINA!!

Ghengis the Conqueror

The Great Khan • Genghis was a great organizer, he organized the military to be more effective. • He used various tricks to confuse his enemies. • He would send out a small calvary to lure out his enemies and as they lay scattered his army would suddenly appear from hiding spots • He adopted new weapons by capturing Chinese engineers such as catapults and gun powder • Genghis used cruelty as a weapon. He believed in terrifying his enemies to surrender • If a city refused to open their gates he would slaughter an entire village in front of the city. The terror this would cause would travel to other cities. Many cities began to surrender before the Mongols even arrived. • In 1227, Genghis died from an unknown illness and his successors would continue to expand his empire

Side Note • • The Mongols prized their horses primarily for combat because the horses were fast and flexible, and Chinggis Khan was the first leader to capitalize fully on these strengths. After hit-and-run raids, for example, his horsemen could race back and quickly disappear into their native steppes. Enemy armies from the sedentary agricultural societies to the south frequently had to abandon their pursuit because they were not accustomed to long rides on horseback and thus could not move as quickly. Nor could these farmer-soldiers leave their fields for extended periods to chase after the Mongols. Chinggis Khan understood the importance of horses and insisted that his troops be solicitous of their steeds. A cavalryman normally had three or four, so that each was, at one time or another, given a respite from bearing the weight of the rider during a lengthy journey. Before combat, leather coverings were placed on the head of each horse and its body was covered with armor. After combat, Mongol horses could traverse the most rugged terrain and survive on little fodder. According to Marco Polo, the horse also provided sustenance to its rider on long strips during which all the food had been consumed. On such occasions, the rider would cut the horse's veins and drink the blood that spurted forth And because its milk offered additional sustenance during extended military campaigns, a cavalryman usually preferred a mare as mount. The milk was often fermented to produce kumiss, or araq, a potent alcoholic drink liberally consumed by the Mongols. In short, as one commander stated. "If the horse dies, I die; if it lives, I survive. " In less than two decades, Chinggis Khan had, with the support of powerful cavalry, laid the foundations for an empire that was to control and govern much of Asia in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. He died on a campaign in Central Asia, and his underlings decided to return his corpse to his native land. Any unfortunate individual who happened to encounter the funeral cortege was immediately killed because the Mongols wished to conceal the precise location of the burial site. At least forty horses were reputedly sacrificed at Chinggis Khan's tomb; his trusted steeds would be as important to him in the afterlife as in his lifetime Source: http: //www. globaled. org/nyworld/materials/mongol/Howdid 2. html

Mongol Madness of the Silk Road • After the fall of the Chinese Tang Dynasty (705 AD) trade along the Silk Road declined, and it revived only with the rise of the Mongols • The Mongols helped bring political stability which helped the re-growth of the Silk Roads • Why do you think that the Mongols would want control of the Silk Road?

Mongol Madness of the Silk Road • The European explorer Marco Polo is a great primary source for knowledge about Mongol control of the Silk Road • “More precious and costly wares are imported into the Mongol Empire than in any other city in the world…all the treasures come from Asia. Everyday more than 1000 cartloads of silk enter the city…” Marco Polo

Travels of Marco Polo

The Travels of Marco Polo • Marco Polo, a European explorer, arrived in Kublai Khan’s court in 1275. Marco served the Mongols for 17 years and brought his tales of Mongol culture back to Europe. The journey of Marco Polo is the source for much of our knowledge of the Mongols.

Kublai Khan • Kublai Khan was the grandson of Genghis. He was able to achieve what his grandfather was never able to…conquering and ruling China • Kublai founded the Yuan Dynasty, but it lasted less than 100 years

Kublai’s Achievements • Kublai Khan was able to unite China for the 1 st time in 300 years, and was considered one of China’s greatest emperors • The control of the Mongols all across Asia opened China to greater contacts and trade. • Kublai was able to have the Mongols and Chinese live in harmony. His successors tolerated Chinese culture and mad few changes to the government system.

The Mongol Empire

Mongol Rule • “I heard one can conquer the empire on horseback, but one cannot govern it on horseback” • Because the Chinese and Mongols were so different, Kublai believed they should keep their separate identities, so they observed different laws and the Mongols tried to keep Chinese out of high government offices by giving those jobs to foreigners. • Kublai was a great ruler: he restored the Grand Canal, paved highways to ensure the steady supply of grain from the south • Kublai Khan encouraged foreign trade by establishing mail routes that linked China, India, and Persia (Middle East)

The End of Mongol Rule • In an attempt to expand the empire Kublai sent several expeditions that ended in defeat. • Kublai failed to conquer the archipelago of Japan twice. • On the second attempt, after being at sea for 53 days a typhoon swept the Khan’s fleet away and the Mongols either drowned or were killed. The Japanese called the typhoon “The Kamikaze” (divine wind) that saved them from the Khan’s invasion.

The End (cont. ) • The Khan spent huge amounts on unsuccessful wars, large public works, and luxuries at the Yuan court. This created resentment among the overtaxed Chinese. • When Kublai died in 1294, his less able successors were unable to resolve the problems and they struggled against each other for the throne. • Chinese rebels overthrew the Mongols and seized power beginning the Ming Dynasty in China.