CHINA

Mongolia

Mongol Expansion The Mongols were the dominant

nomadic group in the Central Asia The Mongols lived in Yurts (movable

tents) Highly developed skills for nomadic

life style (horseback riding; fighting skills (shot arrows from long distances; then could fight with swords and spears

Genghis Kahn Temujin (the-Moo-juhn) was

selected as the leader (Genghis Kahn (strong ruler) in a meeting of the Mongol leaders

He set out to unify the Mongols He created a new legal code Had an army of 100,000 trained

warriors

Genghis Khan - Temujin

The museum is 32 feet, 10 inches tall.The Statue is 131 ft. 3 inches tall.

Officers were chosen for their abilities and not their social position

They first conquered other people of the steppes

This brought in money and new recruits

In AD 1211 the Mongols invaded China

Within 3 years they had control of Northern China

They took control of parts of the Silk Road

Genghis Khan and his warriors were known for their use of terror (violent acts that are meant to cause fear)

They attacked, looted, and burned cities

Before too long many surrendered to the Mongols rather than try to fight them

Empire Builders After the death of Genghis Khan in

AD 1227, his vast territory was split into several areas

Each area was ruled by one of this sons

The army was divided as well Conquests continued!

Took parts of eastern and central Europe

Conquered Persia (SW Asia) Captured Bagdad (1258 AD) Then took Palestine to Egypt Muslim leaders stopped them in

Egypt The Mongols created the largest land

empire in the world (N – Siberia; S – Himalaya’s; E – Pacific Ocean; W – Eastern Europe

Mongol Conquest of China

Genghis Khan’s grandson became the new ruler of the Mongol Empire – (Kublai is his name, ruling was his game!)

He established his capital in what is now Beijing

Mongol & Chinese In 1271 Kublai wanted to control all of

China in 1279 he brought southern China

under his control He began the Yuan Dynasty It lasted only about 100 years w/

Kublai ruling 30 of those years

Kublai appointed Mongol leaders to the top jobs, but did keep some Chinese officials in positions of power

The two cultures were different The Mongols had their own

language, laws and customs This kept the two separated The Mongols lived apart from the

Chinese and they did not mix socially

Government & Religion The Yuan Dynasty did give civil service

examinations like other had Jobs were available to non-Chinese

people They did allow Chinese scholar-officials

to keep their jobs The Mongols practices Buddhism, but

were respectful of other religions

Under Mongol rule, China reached the height of its wealth and power

Foreigners were drawn to the capital Mongols gained favor of the Chinese,

in time The Chinese appreciated the order

and prosperity brought in to the country

Marco Polo He was Venice in Italy He lived in the capital with Kublai Khan Kublai was fascinated with his stories

about his journeys He lived in China for 16 years He was placed in charge of Yangzhou

for some time while in China Upon his return to Italy he wrote a book

about his time in China

Trade & Empire China prospered from increased overland

trade with many parts of the world They also built ships to use in trade China traded tea, silk, and porcelain China received silver, carpets, cotton and

spices The Muslims and Europeans took

Chinese discoveries back to their homes

Mongol armies advanced on Viet Nam and Korea

The Koreans agreed to Mongol control and thus their leaders remained in power

The Mongols forces 1000’s of Koreans to make ships for their invasion of Japan

The 2 attempts were unsuccessful