Mongols The Mongols made no technological breakthroughs founded
Mongols “The Mongols made no technological breakthroughs, founded no new religions, wrote few books or dramas” Why historically significant?
To compare… Imagine if… “the U. S. , instead of being created by a group of educated merchants & wealthy planters, had been founded by one of its illiterate slaves, who, by the sheer force of personality, charisma, & determination, liberated America from foreign rule, united the people, … invented a new system of warfare, marched an army from Canada to Brazil, and opened roads of commerce in a free-trade zone that stretched across the continents. ” – Jack Weatherford in Genghis Khan
Mongols • Nomads • Master archers/horseman • Located in the Steppe • Divided into many tribes • United by Temüjin
Chinggis Khaan • More commonly called Genghis Khan • Talented General • Turned the united Mongols against China • Conquered Northern China and then kept going…until he died
Heirs • Continued Khan’s legacy • Forged the largest empire in history • Most famous of them was Kublai Khan
Kublai Khan • Conquered southern China • Started the Yuan dynasty • Allowed Chinese to rule provinces • Twice attempted to invade Japan • Nature stopped them • Declined after his death
Some random facts • Large empire but large body count • Connected more people than ever before • 10% of all humans • Drastically improved Silk Road • Also the plague • Tolerant of religion • Were not oppressive • Ushered in an era of people • Pax Mongolica
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