Topic 2.2

📍 Topic 2.2 The Mongol Empire and the Modern World

📖 AMSCO p.85 - p.91

Main Idea

Key Timeline

Image Courtesy of Jed Quiaoit

Things to Know

The Mongols and Their Surroundings:****

• pastoral nomads, herders, and hunter-foragers 🐴

• grouped by clans and valued warfare and hunting

• close proximity to Silk Roads = easy access to luxury goods (e.g., silk clothes, gold jewelry) Genghis Khan****

• Khan:

  • formed alliances and elected Mongol ruler 1210 C.E.
  • conquered central and western Asia, northern China, eastern Persia

• Unconventional War Strategies:

  • strong riders, proficient in bows
  • use of messenger forces
  • siege weapons
  • incorporated technology of invaded territories. 🏹

• Pax Mongolica: “Mongolian peace”

  • new bridges
  • religious tolerance
  • protected Silk Roads = more trade (Asia ↔ Middle East ↔ Africa ↔ Europe)
  • empire adopted Uyghur alphabet Expansion of the Mongol Empire****

• Golden Horde led by Batu (Genghis’ grandson)

  • Northern Russia
  • ruled indirectly through existing Russian rulers and collected tribute
  • Moscow resisted and defeated Mongols 1380.

• Il-Khanate: Hulegu (another grandson)

  • Abbasid empire, 1258
  • Mongol rule with Persian ministers, provincial officials
  • subjects converted to Islam.

• Yuan Dynasty: Kublai Khan (yet another grandson)

  • Song China, 1235-1271
  • adhered to Chinese tradition, religious tolerance
  • more Chinese-European cultural exchanges. Mongols Lose Power****

• Chinese Alienation:

  • foreigners favored over natives in government positions
  • civil service exam system dismantled
  • promotion of Buddhism and Daoism upset Confucian scholar-gentries 😠

• Failed Invasions: Japan, Indochina, Burma, and Java

  • Mongols no longer viewed as “fearsome”
  • White Lotus Society uprising topples Yuan rule Long-Term Impact of Mongol Invasions****

• Improved Trade and Cultural Exchanges:

  • Islamic scientific knowledge makes it to China
  • paper (e.g., Gutenberg press)
  • Greco-Islamic medical knowledge
  • Arabic numbering system travels to Europe.

• Bubonic Plague:

  • Mongols brought fleas that traveled through Asia and Europe. 💀

• Centralized Rule:

  • post-Mongol kingdoms adopted/copied Mongol style of ruling.

• Fighting Techniques and Technology:

  • speed and surprise > European knights
  • cannon favored due to strong firepower against walls.

Terms to Remember