The MongolsThe Mongols

The Last Great Nomadic Challenge

Chapter 14

Pg. 302-322

Periodization

1206— Mongol state founded 1206-1227— rule of Chinggis (Genghis) Khan

1215— Mongols attack N. China (win it in 1234) 1219-1223— Russia/Islamic world invaded 1235-1279— S. China taken

1260-1294— rule of Kublai Khan 1240— Russia taken (Mongols attack W. Europe) 1260— Mongols lose to Mamluks in Egypt 1274-1280— Mongol invasion of Japan fails 1360s-1405— rule of Timur-i Lang

Introduction

Mongols challenge notions of “barbarian” & “civilized”

Capable of savage violence

Rule also creates era of peaceful cross-cultural exchange = Pax Mongolia

Mongol Empire of Chinggis Khan

Mongols follow pattern of other nomadic groups studied Tribe & clan make-up Strong tribal leadership = bravery & diplomacy

Early Career of Chinggis Khan

Born Temujin

Violently avenged family history

Military strength led to alliances & ascent to supreme ruler

Mongol War Machine

Born warriors w/ cavalry mobility

Highly structured & disciplined armies Included scouts & spies

Effective & inventive weaponry Bow Gunpowder

Conquest & First Assault

Chinggis Khan led confederation of 2+ million Assault on northern China

Southern Song spared Slowed by fortifications, but adapt

Resistance = Retribution

Turned conquest to Central Asia & fringes of Islamic world

Life Under Mongol Rule

Mongols = astute & tolerant rulers Stimulates trade, cultural exchange and

artistic creativity

Administration built on Muslim and Chinese bureaucrats

Death of Chinggis Khan

Death of Chinggis Khan led to division of empire b/t sons…succeeded by Ogedei

Splits into four khanates (see map pg 311) Golden Horde Empire—Russia Ilkhan Empire—Persia Djagatai Empire– Central Asia Empire of Kublai Khan (Yuan Dynasty)—China

Mongol Assault on Russia

Russian decline meant division & easy winter conquest by Mongols

Russia in Bondage

Mongol overlords → Russian princes = vassals → peasants pressed into serfdom

Moscow grew in strength Became central city of Russian culture

Drive West:

QUESTION

In what ways does the rule of the Golden

Horde mark a turning point in Russian

history?

Retreat from Europe

Legend of Prester John led to underestimating Mongol threat

Mongols proved capable of European assault, but withdrew after Ogedei’s death Europe was spared a full assault

Mongol Assault on Middle East

Ilkhan Khanate (led by Hulegu) set sights on Middle East wealth 1258: destroy Abbasid dynasty & Baghdad

1260: Mamluks of Egypt & infighting defeat the Mongols

Drive West:

VISUALIZING THE PAST:

Mongols as a Bridge

Based on the map, answer the questions in the inset on pg. 312

Mongol Interlude in China

Kublai Khan established Yuan Dynasty Despite hard fought battles w/ Song

Attempted to keep Chinese & Mongols separate

Administration No civil service exams Only nomads & Muslims at imperial level Chinese only at local levels

Drive South:

Gender Roles

Mongol women retained rights & freedoms EX- advice of wife Chabi

Tolerance & Foreign Influence

Yuan court welcomed & attracted many scholars, artists, religious thinkers, etc EX- Marco Polo

Social Policies & Scholar-Gentry

Yuan “foreign-ness” & policies alienated scholar-gentry

Yet, commercial & urban boom continued; position of peasants bolstered

Fall of Yuan Decline resulted from usual circumstances… 1368-1644: Ming Dynasty replaced Yuan

Timur-i Lang: a Brief Interlude

Complex figure

Ruthless conqueror

Last great nomadic challenge

Global Connections

Examples of postclassical themes: Impact of nomadic invaders Extended world network - fostered spread of

trade, new ideas

Paved way for plague / Black Death

QUESTION

In what ways does the Mongol experience mirror that of the Arabs?

Was Chinggis Khan more barbarian or more civilized?

To what extent do you agree with the claim that the postclassical period was “the

nomad’s last hurrah”?