Chapter 14 The Mongols

Chinggis Khan (Genghis) Not united until Genghis Nomads who lived on horseback-from the Asian steppes-organized along bloodlines/clans Great speed and mobility Had spies to gather information about the enemy Formal code of honor with military forces had a messenger force to communicate between units Male dominated but women had influence within the family Temujin = Chinggis Elected supreme ruler of all Mongol tribes in 1206

Chinngis Khan 1207 – forced NW Chinese kingdom To be a vassal Attacked the Qin dynasty Method: if cities resisted attacks their inhabitants were killed or made slaves Attacked Islam/Turks (Persian Empire) Method of ruling: (motto: submit and live, resist and die) People could keep their religions, used their knowledge to make the empire better Always open to new ideas/religions Established laws to make peace throughout the Asian empire Commerce excelled because trade routes were safe (silk road)

Driving West…The Golden Horde Took control of Kiev as it was becoming vulnerable (1200’s) Tartar (people from hell) Russia was a vassal to the Mongols for 250 years Many Russian peasants had to submit to their own princes and the Mongols…they chose serfdom-this began feudalism in Russia Serfdom in Russia lasted until the mid 1800’s Regardless, some cities grew due to the increase in trade b/c of the Mongols (Moscow) Influenced military and political organization Isolated Russia from Western Europe and their developments

Attack on Islam Hulegu eliminated the last Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad (1258)—called the Ilkhanates Local rulers were allowed to continue ruling as long as they taxed the people and maintained order; facilitated trade Mamluk (slave dynasty in Egypt) Stopped the spread of Mongols in Egypt Who stopped the spread of Islam?

Mongol Impact Pax Mongolia United large territory for about a century 2 continents were united under one rule; safe trade; etc Cultural diffusion Gun powder Trade of food, tools, ideas $$ for traders (esp. in Venice and Genoa) Bubonic Plague (AKA Black death)…oops, sorry!  Killed 1/3 of W. Europe and 50% of the population in other areas Ended feudalism in W Europe

Kublai Khan Ruled in China Took over the Song Dynasty; Created the Yuan Dynasty Capital in Tatu (Beijing) Government:only Mongols and foreigners…no Chinese in high positions-why? But respected and were interested in Chinese culture Got rid of Civil Service Exam Postal/communication system connected Beijing to Vienna using horses; 1400 postal stations; trade flourished; merchants converted their $$ to Chinese paper money

Women in Kublai Khan’s Court Mongol women would not blend with Chinese culture (ie: foot binding) Kept their rights to property and freedom to move around town as they pleased Many fought in wars too Chabi-Kublai Khan’s wife-she was a good buffer between Mongol and Chinese society

Kublai Khan Continued Marco Polo From Venice Served in the court for 17 yrs Wrote about his travels to China…no one believed him Increased the status of artisans/actors/merchants Mongols built a navy (but who’s was THE greatest during this time?)…tried to invade Japan…twice (1274 and 1281) Kamikaze (sacred wind)– this showed the Mongols could be stopped Reduced peasant taxes; maintained their cropland Wanted to implement education to the peasants

Yuan Dynasty falls Defeat in Japan and Vietnam hurt their image Mongol rule got soft…spent $$, led to inflation Kublai’s successors were weak Divided the empire among various generals by 1350, most of the empire was reconquered by other armies White Lotus Society: dedicated to overthrowing the Yuan Dynasty Ju Yuanzhang-took over and founded the Ming Dynasty Ruled for 300 years

Summary Began as nomads and challenged the sedentary peoples for control Often portrayed as barbarians; destructive conquerors, but they brought peace, religious toleration, laws and unity to their empire Empire included Central Asia, China, Persia, Tibet, Iraq, Asia Minor, and Southern Russia Bridged gaps between East and West