Download - Mongols & Japan Online
THE MONGOL EMPIRETHE MONGOL EMPIRE
Fear This!• In the 1200s, the
time of the Crusades, a great and much feared empire was born in Asia.
• In great part it was created by one of the most powerful and ruthless men in history.
• Like Rome they started out with very little. • The Mongols were not united. • They lived in many different tribes• Had constant blood feuds. • Nomadic. Great horsemen.
• Lived north of the Great Wall of China.
• One man will unite them…
– Temujin: son of a chieftain. His father was murdered. He was forced into hiding.
– Survived on mice for a time.
– Conquered the tribe that forced him out. Every male taller than a cart axle was executed.
– Enemy chiefs were boiled alive.
– Had his own brother crushed with rocks.
I’m a uniter not a divider!• United all Mongol tribes by force
then changed his name to…– Genghis Khan: (1167-1227 A.D.)
“Universal ruler” Ruler of all things under the stars.
• Under Khan the Mongols are turned into a war machine!– All males in army until 60.– Promotion by merit and skill only– Incredibly skilled archers and
horsemen. – Bows easily pierced armor.
The Mongol War Bow: Fear this!
Average draw weight: 160 lbs.Fire a distance of 300 yardsComposite made from yak bone, sinew, wood and glue made from fish bladdersNot until the mid-1800’s that firearms outranged the war bow
Always practicing…Great Hunt: Mongol method
of practicing warfare. • Encircle hundreds of miles. • Spend days closing the
circle. • Once closed use their bows
to eliminate all wildlife within.
Conquests of Khan
Don’t mess with Genghis’ camels!
Genghis invades Muslim Khwarizm
• Khwarizm – powerful Muslim state in area of Afghanistan.
• Mongols capture civilians.
• Drive them before their armies as human shields.
• Use civilians to fill moats and build ramps over city walls.
• Irrigation networks destroyed, orchards burned, salt sown in fields.
Allah save us all!• Otrar: town whose governer seized
Genghis’ caravan.– City fell after five months– Population massacred– Molten silver poured into governor’s ears and
eyes
• Urgench: capital of Khwarizm. City falls after 7 days of fierce resistance by the cities’ population.– All within killed - 1.2 million– Zoo animals slaughtered– Graves are emptied, bodies mangled
Khwarizm is destroyed
Muslims are terrified…• Muslims ask Christians to end
crusades and unite against Mongols.
• Christians laugh!
• Crusaders ask Mongols for help against Muslims. Genghis replies…
• “Acknowledge me as overlord or die.”
Death of Genghis Khan• Thrown from his horse
while invading China. • Buried secretly with gold,
horses and 40 women. • Horses trample the site
for three days. 2,000 that attended the funeral are killed by 800 soldiers. The 800 soldiers are then later killed.
• Tomb has never been found!
Mongol Conquests Continue!• Ogodei Khan: drunken son of Genghis
becomes ruler. – Promises only to drink two cups day. – Has bigger and bigger cups. – Fermented mare’s milk.
• Batu Khan: Genghis’ grandson and general under Ogodei. Invades Europe. – Sends message “Surrender or be
destroyed.” European kingdoms laugh.
Maybe we can call the Muslims for help?• 150,000 Mongol horsemen
invade Poland on three fronts!
• Battle of Leignitz: Polish army composed of 100,000 men face 40,000 Mongol horsemen. – Includes many thousands of
church knights -Teutonic Knights
– One of the finest armies ever assembled in Europe!
Deathmatch at Leignitz100,000 European soldiers 40,000 Mongol horsemen
Knights charge! Go knights!
Mongol Invasion: The Battle of LeignitzMongol Invasion: The Battle of Leignitz
Foot soldiers
Knights charge! Go knights!
Mongol Invasion: The Battle of LeignitzMongol Invasion: The Battle of Leignitz
Mongol Invasion: The Battle of LeignitzMongol Invasion: The Battle of Leignitz
• Mongols retreat (feigned)
• Knights think they’ve won and chase.
• Foot soldiers can’t keep up.
• Huge gap opens up in Eur. army.
Mongol Invasion: The Battle of LeignitzMongol Invasion: The Battle of Leignitz• Suddenly the Mongols stop and turn forming a half-circle.
• They load their bows and fire.
Mongol Invasion: The Battle of LeignitzMongol Invasion: The Battle of Leignitz• The arrows go completely over the knights into the gap!
• What lousy shots.
Mongol Invasion: The Battle of LeignitzMongol Invasion: The Battle of Leignitz• Smoke arrows! The gap fills with smoke.
• Now the Mongols turn their bows on the knights.
Mongol Invasion: The Battle of LeignitzMongol Invasion: The Battle of Leignitz• The arrows shred the knight’s armor. Aaaaaggghhh!
Mongol Invasion: The Battle of LeignitzMongol Invasion: The Battle of Leignitz• With the knights dead, the Mongols charge into the smoke and run
down the infantry!
Mongol Invasion: The Battle of LeignitzMongol Invasion: The Battle of Leignitz
•To prove his great victory to Ogodei, Batu orders his men to collect nine sacks of
Mongol Invasion: The Battle of LeignitzMongol Invasion: The Battle of Leignitz
…ears.
OH GOODDDDDD!• In Hungary another
Mongol army destroys a 100,000 strong Hungarian force.
• Europe PANICS!• Pope issues crusade
to save all Christendom.
• Then Mongols disappear.
• We scared them off!• Ogodei drank himself
to death and Batu had to return to elect a new Khan. Never returns.
Europe saved from a new Dark Age.
Marco…Polo…• Marco Polo: Venetian trader serves Kublai Khan for 17 years. – Returns to Venice and
his story is written in a book “Description of the World.”
– Story is a sensation in Europe telling of the wonders and riches of China.
Genghis Khan…the George Washington of Mongolia
Medieval Japan• Land of feudal kingdoms
and samurai knights• Shogun: “general” feudal
leaders and commanders of the military. (Lords)
• Samurai: “one who serves” armored warrior. Bamboo plated armor. Carried a longbow and the katana.
I call mine pointy stick!• Katana: “big sword”
incredibly sharp curved sword. Cut leaves in a stream. Took years to make.
• Wakizashi: “little sword” smaller curved sword at the belt. Use it to take the head of your honored opponent.
All samurai lived by a code of honor like chivalry• Bushido: “The way”
– All loyalty to your shogun– Death rather than dishonor– Vengeance
• “Death is lighter than a feather, but duty is weightier than a mountain.”
IF YOU DO DISHONOR YOURSELF THERE IS ONE WAY TO REGAIN HONOR!
• Seppuku! – Hari-kari:
kneel and with your short sword disembowel yourself.