MONGOL: THE MOVIEObjective: Evaluate the rise and expansion of the Mongol empire

and itsconsequences for Eurasian peoples, including the achievements

ofGenghis Khan in the context of Mongol society and his impact on

Eurasian history.

The Mongols’ Mark on Global History http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/index.html

What is the barbarian stereotype? Under the Mongols, Europe and Asia

were linked seamlessly through trade and conquest.

Travelers such as Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta and Rabban Sauma were encouraged to tell of their journeys while Genghis Khan attempted to take over the world!

In 1241, the Mongols attacked Poland and Hungary, and the Pope in Rome sent out two missionaries to fend off attacks and convert the Mongols to Christianity. The rumor was that the Mongol leader, Prester John, had been converted to Christianity! Although the missionaries failed to convert the Mongols or to deter their conquests, they were treated with respect and returned to Europe with accurate accounts of what was going on in the East.

The Mongols supported trade and encouraged contact between Asia and Europe. In China, the social status of merchants was elevated, and merchant associations were organized to alleviate the perils of caravan trade.

The Pax Mongolica (Mongol Peace) meant there was safety and security for travelers throughout the vast empire—although the Mongols were brutal fighters, they were peaceful rulers!

Since the nomadic Mongols did not have their own artisans, they honored the artisans from conquered lands. Artisans were sometimes moved around the globe to work for the Mongol elite.

The Mongols recognized the religions of the territories they conquered and sought alliances with religious leaders. Muslims from Persia were recruited as government officials in China—the theory was that the foreigners would be less likely to rebel than the ethnic Chinese.

The Mongol Conquests Why did the Mongols erupt from Mongolia

in the early 13th century to begin their conquests of the rest of the world, creating the largest contiguous land empire in world history? Ecology: drop in annual temperatures

meant less grass and less food for animals, possibly prompting them to move out of Mongolia.

Trade disruptions: Dynasties in China attempted to reduce trade with Mongols, who could not live without Chinese goods. Raids, attacks and finally invasions were inevitable.

Genghis Khan’s personal mission: Did he have the mandate of heaven?

Who was Genghis Khan? He was an orphan who needed others to

survive. He made many “blood brothers” who were his allies for life. He insisted on a Mongol identity instead of a tribal identity when others joined his cause.

He organized his army into a hierarchy based on the number 10, similar to how our military is organized. He often pretended to lose a battle so that he could strike from different angle. Invasions usually began as economic disputes over trading rights.

How did a small group of Mongols conquer such a vast domain? They incorporated

groups into their empire and military.

Other civilizations were in decline—China was not fully united (the Song were only in the south), Russia consisted of only small city states, the Abbasid Empire (Persia) was falling apart and Central Asia lacked a central leader.

The Mongols in China What was the Mongols’ influence on

China? One Chinese scholar said, “The Mongols

brought violence and destruction to all aspects of China’s civilization. They were insensitive to Chinese cultural values, distrustful of Chinese influences, and inept heads of Chinese government.”

Chinese society was reorganized into social classes based on ethnicity: the Mongols were first, then the non-Han mostly Islamic populations who were brought in to help rule, then the northern Chinese and finally the southern Chinese. The Mongols were very distrustful of civil service and chose leaders by their own methods.

In reality, the Chinese economy flourished under Kublai Khan, and the Mongols encouraged the Chinese to preserve their culture and to worship freely. Although the Chinese were not autonomous, the Mongols made every effort to preserve political traditions and to assimilate into Chinese culture.

Chinese peasants fared well under the Mongols, who believed a strong peasant class would increase tax revenues. Tax relief and surplus grain storage help to keep stability in difficult times. Nomads were not allowed to graze their animals on Chinese farmland. Peasants were allowed to organize themselves into cooperatives for self-help measures, and on some levels there was a social safety net not seen in other dynasties. However, the Mongols did use peasant labor for public works, and there was much resentment for that.

Artisans and merchants had a much higher social status under the Mongols than they did under the Chinese dynasties. In addition, artisans and merchants were allowed to travel freely throughout the Mongol Empire and to exchange ideas with their counterparts.

The tide turned on Mongol expansion when fighting required a navy. When the Japanese refused to submit to Mongol rule, the Mongols launched two missions to conquer Japan. Both failed due to weather, but the Japanese saw it as divine intervention. A bad monetary policy and failed public work projects weakened the Mongols as well. The Ming united a chaotic empire in 1368.

Key Figures in Mongol History

Genghis Khan (1162-1227) was raised by his mother after his father was assassinated. He overcame a difficult childhood and unified the Mongols under his rule.

Genghis Khan left four great legacies to the Mongol people: religious tolerance, a written language, support for trade and crafts, and a legal code.

After the death of Genghis Khan, his son Ogodei (1185 to 1241) expanded the Mongol empire to include large amounts of Russian territory, northern China, and parts of Persia.

Ogodei is credited with building the first Mongol capital city, developing a system of taxation for the territories, and recruiting Muslims to assist in administrating the empire.

Kublai Khan (1215 to 1294) set out to rule a vast empire. He is credited with ruling China, supporting agriculture, trade and the arts, providing funds for all different religions. Kublai Khan overthrew the Song Dynasty, but he failed to win battles against Japan and Java.

Marco Polo (1254-1324) returned to Europe with accounts of Persia, China, Central Asia, Armenia, and Southeast Asia. He wrote about his experiences with the court life of Kublai Khan.

The Pastoral Nomadic Lifehttp://www.npr.org/2009/09/11/112514153/ancient-mongolian-competition-ties-past-to-present

The Mongols relied on their animals for survival and migrated in search of water and grass for their herds. They were often at the mercy of their environment: poor weather, droughts and the spread of disease could spell disaster.

Sheep provided mutton to eat and wool, which was pressed into felt. Sheep dung was used as fuel. Sheep were the heart of Mongol society.

Goats provided meat, milk and cheese. The poor wore goat’s skin (as opposed to sheep’s skin), but today the goats are valued as source of cashmere. Also, goats eat the grass to the root, causing desertification.

Yaks and Oxen were used to pull carts, and camels were also used to carry goods. Dogs were used to protect the herd and to ward off wolves. From an early age, children learned to ride and care for horses.

Traditional clothing is often made of silk—a testament of how important trade with China was throughout history. Their houses, called ger or yurt, often had elaborate doors and ornaments that were transported with each move.