HOW WERE THE MONGOLS ABLE TOCONQUER SO MUCH LAND?

Document 1: Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan was born Temujin, or Ironsmith, in 1162. According to Mongol legend, he was marked for greatness from the moment of his birth.

His mother had been shocked to see her newborn baby holding a clump of blood in his hand when he was born. His father, a minor chief, quickly consulted a Mongol holy man. “This child,” predicted the man, “will rule the world.”

Around 1200, Temujin sought to unify the Mongol clans under his leadership. Across the Mongolian steppe, he defeated his rivals one by one, showing no mercy. In 1206, Temujin accepted the title Genghis Khan, or “universal ruler” of the Mongol clans. A now unified group, the Mongols were able to conquer much territory. Over the next 21 years, Genghis led the Mongols in conquering much of Asia.

What did a Mongol holy man predict for Genghis Khan?

Based on the document, how did Genghis Khan help the Mongols conquer so much land?

Document 2: A Mighty Fighting Force

The Mongols could not have conquered and ruled the largest land empire in world history without their horses. Mongols held these horses in highest regard and accorded them great spiritual significance. Before setting forth on military expeditions, for example, commanders would scatter horse milk on the earth to insure victory. In rituals, horses were sacrificed to provide "transport" to heaven.

The Mongols prized their horses primarily for combat because the horses were fast and flexible. When on the move, each soldier was accompanied by three extra horses. By changing mounts, soldiers could stay in the saddle for up to ten days and nights at a time! When charging towards a target, they covered as much as 120 miles a day. If food was scarce, a Mongol soldier might make a small gash in the neck of one of his horses and sustain himself by drinking the blood.

Why were horses so important to the Mongol way of life?

How were the Mongols able to ride for so many days and nights without eating?

Document 3: Military Organization

Medieval historians used to assert that the Mongol military superiority was due to their overwhelming numbers. Quality, not quantity, was the key to the incredible unbroken line of Mongolian military successes.

The organization of the army was based on the decimal system. The largest unit was the tjumen, which was made up of 10,000 troops. A large army used to consist of three tjumens, one consisting of infantry troops who were to perform close combat, the two others were meant to encircle the opponent from both sides. The khan personally appointed the commanders of each tjumen and mingghan. This appointment was made on criteria of ability, not age or social origin.

How would you describe the set up of the Mongol army?

Why might this considered a key factor in their success?

Document 4: The Mongol War Machine

In Europe, the reputation of the Mongols as fighters was well-known. Few people, however, had ever observed the Mongols in action. One of the first was John of Plano Caprini, a Catholic priest and representative of the Pope. His description follows: (* The term TATARS is used in the description because in Russian the Mongols were called Tatars*)

“When they are going to make war, they send ahead a small group to carry nothing with them but their tents, horses and arms. They seize nothing, burn no house, and slaughter no

animals, they only wound and kill men or, if they can do nothing else, make them flee. They army follows, taking everything they come across, and they take prisoners or kill any people who are to be found.

In conquering a fort they make many promise to convince the people inside to surrender. If they do surrender, they say, “Come out, so we may count you according to our custom: and when they come out they seek out the (craftsmen) among them and keep these… the others, with the exception of those they wish to have as slaves, they kill with the axe. If they do spare any others they never spare the nobles.

It should be known that the Tatars (Mongols) only make peace with their enemies if the following demands are met:

First, when the Tatars ask, they must fight against any nation.

Second, that they hand over a tenth part of everything, men as well as possessions. They count ten boys and take one of them, and they do the same with girls, and, taking them away to their own country, they keep them as slaves; the rest they number and dispose of according to their custom.”

Is this a primary or secondary source? How do you know?

Why do you think the Mongols spared the craftsmen and never spared the nobles?

If your city was conquered by the Mongols, which of their demands would you find most difficult to comply with? Explain!

HOW WERE THE MONGOLS ABLE TO CONQUER SO MUCH LAND?

I. ________________

II. _______________

III. ______________

“THE GREATEST JOY IS TO CONQUER ONE’S ENEMIES,

TO PURSUE THEM,TO TAKE THEIR BELONGINGS,

TO SEE THEIR FAMILIES IN TEARS,TO RIDE THEIR HORSES…”

- Genghis Khan

IV. _______________