The Mongols 1200-1500

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The Mongols1200-1500
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Overview

• Traditionally reviled for their brutality
• Now seen as important for uniting Eurasia for 1st
  time
• Mongol empire became noteworthy for peace and
  prosperity

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Mongol Society

• Nomadic herders
• Sophisticated horsemen
• Basic organizational unit-the tribe
• Leaders were elected
• United only in response to external threats

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Genghis Khan

• Born Temujin-1170s
• Great warrior who gained followers
• Named Genghis Khan in 1206, uniting tribes
• Mongols now planned a campaign of world domination

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• Empire split into 4 parts after GKs death

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Russia

• Princes had to submit, pay tribute
• Feudalism developed
• Moscow rose in importance
• Orthodox Church thrived-toleration
• Russia cut off from developments in W. Europe

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Europe

• Mounted expedition to E. Europe in mid-1200s
• Never reached W. Europe (death of Ogedai and
  succession crisis)
• Mongol-dominated Silk Road brought plague to
  Europe in 1347

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Middle East

• Persia resisted Mongol assault, was annihilated
• Baghdad fell in 1258-end of Abbasid Caliphate
• Destruction of ME irrigation had long-term impact
• Islamic learning diffused throughout Mongol
  empire

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China

• Campaign against Song directed by Kublai Khan
• Established Yuan Dynasty
• Separation between Mongols-Chinese
• Capital built in Beijing

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Decline

• Infighting and disease as major causes
• By mid-1300s, Mongols faced rebellions in Persia
  and China
• Mongol power faded in Russia during mid-1400s
• Turks filled vacuum in ME and India, Ming in
  China

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Global Impact

• Linked Eurasian lands more directly than ever
  before
• Diffusion of language, culture, religion, tech,
  etc.
• Mongol decline by 1400 made sea routes more
  attractive
• Plague