What is the dictionary definition for this idea/event? The Mongol Empire existed during the 13th and
14th centuries AD, and was the largest contiguous land empire in human history.
Who (give me precise people) started this idea/event? The Mongols were a group of nomadic and
pastoral/herder tribes that lived in Southeast Russia/North China. They were expert horsemen with
almost no strong cultural identity (no religion, artwork, or government philosophy that is uniquely
theirs). However, they were strongly loyal to their own clans (large immediate families). The ancient
Chinese empires take advantage of their divisions between the confederations to keep them separated
and fighting each other. This all changed when the clans were united under Genghis Khan (aka Temujin
aka Chinggis Khan)
What were the reasons that this happened (previous philosophies/events that led up to this)? Genghis
Khan’s wife was kidnapped by a rival clan. He used his military and diplomatic skill to get her back.
Genghis philosophy was to generously rewarded courage while completely destroying people who were
disloyal to him. He would spread the wealth of the clan leaders he defeated among the lower classes of
clans he conquered so that more people would be loyal to him. With his skills and new power he
managed to convince all of the clans to elect him to be their leader (the Great Khan). From there his
armies began to conquer China, Russia, the Middle East, and Turkey. The Mongol armies relied on their
excellent horse riding skills and their ability to accurately fire arrows while horseback riding. They could
cover 90 miles in one day. If cities or people rebelled against his forces then they were ruthlessly
destroyed. If they quickly gave up then they were left completely alone. After Genghis Khan dies his
empire splits into four parts (China, Middle East, Central Asia, and Russia/Eastern Europe).
List and describe the major events and people in this idea/event? The Tartars, the Golden Horde, are
the Mongols that ruled Russia/Eastern Europe. They burned Moscow and Kiev and get as far east as
Vienna before turning around when Genghis died to elect a new leader.
IL khanate, the Mongol rulers of the Middle East/Persia. In 1219, Genghis sent merchants who were also
accompanied by spies to visit the Islamic Empire. The Shah of the empire had the spies and merchants
executed. Genghis was furious and invaded the Middle East, capturing and destroying the capital of the
empire, Baghdad. The IL khanate empire was replaced by the Ottoman Empire in the early 1400’s.
The Yuan Dynasty, the Mongols of China: Kublai Khan claimed the title of Great Khan. The other Mongol
empires respected his wishes. Trade between Europe and Asia grew immensely during this time period
1279-1368. Kublai Khan did not trust Confucian government officials, instead he invited government
advisor from all over the world to come to his court in the new Chinese capital he built (Beijing). Kublai
Khan discouraged Mongols and Chinese mixing cultures and marriages. When the empire fell shortly
after Khan’s death to the Ming, traditional Chinese culture and government were brought back in to
China.
What countries/civilizations were affected most by this idea/event? As nomads the Mongols placed a
high value on trade (When you are a nomad you don’t make anything so that means you have to trade
for it). The Mongol Empire covered almost the entire Silk Road and they made it a priority to make it
safe and easy to navigate by building a series of fortresses, hotels, stables with horses, and a post office
system along the road. This made the Silk Road more accessible to people like Marco Polo and diseases
like The Plague. The Mongols were very tolerant of the religions and cultures of their conquered lands
except in China because they did not trust the Confucian government system (their old Chinese
enemies). They were very respectful of representatives from other parts of the world. Though the
Mongols did not make cultural contributions, their infrastructure and governments allowed for a vast
easy spread of cultures throughout the empire.
What effects of this idea/event do we encounter today? Marco Polo’s maps and books made explorers
such as Christopher Columbus curious about finding routes to Asia. This led to the discovery of the New
World. The Plague was one of the key contributors to the Renaissance (and the Protestant Reformation).
The Mongols belief in religious tolerance allowed Christianity to spread to East Asia. Asia and Europe will
never be completely separated again (What happens somewhere as far east as China has an effect to
what happens somewhere as far west as Spain. aka Globalization).