The Mongol Moment

1206-1480

Agree or disagree?

Mongol impact on world history was more positive than negative.

Who were the Mongols?

Chinggis Khan’s dream

In 1216 Genghis sent three envoys to Samarqand with gifts for the Khwarazm Shah…gold, jade, ivory, and white ivory, white--camel wool cloaks, plus this note: I send you these gifts. I know your power and the vast extent of your empire and I regard you as my most cherished son. For your part you must know that I have conquered China and all the Turkish nations north of it; my country is an anthill of soldiers and a mine of silver and I have no need of other lands. Therefore I believe that we have an equal interest in encouraging trade between our subjects.”

Signed, “God in Heaven, The Kah Khan, The Power of God on Earth, The Emperor of MankindEarth, Mankind ”

The Mongol Impact

• International commerce as a source of tax revenue • Diplomacy on a Eurasian scale – China and Persian courts developed close relationships • Cultural exchange • The Plague—Eurasian Pandemic – Primary reason for the breakdown of the Mongol Empire in 14 th and 15 th centuries

Characteristics of Pastoral Societies

• Formation of nomadic states was difficult because of mobile lifestyle • More egalitarian than sedentary societies, but sometimes distinguished between nobles and commoners • Women usually had a higher status than in sedentary societies

Characteristics of Pastoral Societies

• Generally less productive than agricultural societies • Population much smaller than agricultural societies • Lived in clans of related kinfolk who sometimes gathered as tribes • Mastered environments unsuitable for agriculture

Mongol Empire Breakout

• Mongols formed the greatest land-based empire in history in the 13 th century • Created greater contact between Europe, China, and Islamic world • Did not have a major cultural impact on the world – Mostly interested in exploiting conquered peoples.

The Mongol Moment

• Mongol Empire grew without any grand scheme • Saw conquests as the mission to unite the world • Mongols were vastly outnumbered by enemies • Mongol success was due to their well-led, disciplined army

The Mongol Moment

• Mongols had a reputation for brutality and destructiveness • Mongols skillfully mobilized resources – Census and taxation systems

China and the Mongols

China and the Mongols • Mongol conquest of China was difficult took from 1209-1279 • Khubilai Khan (1271-1294) • Mongols did not know how to rule an agricultural society, so they used Chinese practices – Yuan dynasty – Capital in Beijing

China and the Mongols

• Mongol rule was harsh, exploitative and foreign • Mongols did not become Chinese • Mongol law discriminated against the Chinese

Persia and the Mongols

• First invasion led by Chinggis Khan (1219-1221) and the second invasion was led by Hulegu (1251-1258) • Shook the Muslim faith • Sacking of Baghdad in 1258 ended the Abbasid caliphate • Adopted and used Persian bureaucracy • Mongols converted to Islam on a large scale

Persia and the Mongols

• Mongol elite learned some Persian • Some Mongols took up agriculture

Russia and the Mongols

• Mongol devastation of Russia was 1237-1240 • Independent Russian principalities could not unite against the Mongol threat • Destruction of cities and slaughter was widespread • Deportation of skilled workers

Russia and the Mongols

• Russia integrated into the Mongol Empire and was called “The Golden Horde” • Moscow became a primary tribute collector for the Mongols • Russian princes adopted Mongol weapons, tax system and military draft

Agree or disagree?

• Mongol impact on world history was more positive than negative.