The Mongolian Empire

"The Bridge between

Eastern and Western Cultures"

All empires from sunrise to sunset have been given

to us, and we own them.

-Guyuk Third Great Khan of the

Mongols

Who were the Mongols?

• Nomads who lived on the steppe

• Central Asia• Tribal with strong

clan ties• First united

together under the great Mongol ruler Genghis Khan

Who was Genghis Khan?

• Mongol leader • Great military

leader• United the tribes • Gained control

of a vast empire• Instilled fear in

the conquered

Mongolian Empire at its height in 1200’s AD

Largest Land Empire• At it’s height, the Mongol

empire was the largest land empire the world has ever known!• Bigger than the Persian

Empire!• Bigger than Alexander’s

Empire!• Bigger than Rome!• Bigger than Byzantium!

Dividing the Empire• When Genghis

Khan died his empire was divided among his sons and grandsons: khanates (like separate states or empires)

• His grandson Kublai Khan gains the khanate of the east including China

Kublai Khan• Grandson of Genghis

Khan• Ruled in China• Government: only

Mongols and foreigners…no Chinese in high positions-why?

• But respected and were interested in Chinese culture

• Got rid of Civil Service Exam

• Postal/communication system connected Beijing to Vienna using horses; 1400 postal stations; trade flourished; merchants converted their $$ to Chinese paper money

Kublai Khan Continued• Marco Polo the

great Italian explorer:– From Venice– Served in the Khans

court for 17 yrs– Wrote about his travels

to China…no one believed him

• Increased the status of artisans/actors/ merchants

Decline of the Mongols• Kublai’s

successors were weak–Divided the

empire among various generals –by 1350, most

of the empire was reconquered by other armies

• Pax Mongolia– United large territory for about

a century 2 continents were united under one rule; safe trade; etc

• Cultural diffusion– Gun powder– Trade of food, tools, ideas– $$ for traders (esp. in Venice

and Genoa)– Bubonic Plague (AKA Black

death)– Killed 1/3 of W. Europe and

50% of the population in other areas• Ended feudalism in W Europe

Mongol Impact

Summary• Began as nomads and

challenged the sedentary peoples for control

• Often portrayed as barbarians; destructive conquerors, but they brought peace, religious toleration, laws and unity to their empire

• Empire included Central Asia, China, Persia, Tibet, Iraq, Asia Minor, and Southern Russia

• Bridged gaps between East and West