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The Mongol Empire

The Mongol Empire. Who were the Mongols? Nomadic people. Lived primarily on horseback and herded animals. Existed in the area of “Mongolia.” Geography Surrounded by forests, mountains, & deserts. “Steppe” : An area of treeless grassland. The Mongol Empire.

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The Mongol Empire

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  1. The Mongol Empire • Who were the Mongols? • Nomadic people. • Lived primarily on horseback and herded animals. • Existed in the area of “Mongolia.” • Geography • Surrounded by forests, mountains, & deserts. • “Steppe” : An area of treeless grassland.

  2. The Mongol Empire • The Mongols and other nomadic tribes were often at war with each other. • The rivalry and hatred would help Genghis Khan rise to be the ruler of the Mongolian people.

  3. Genghis Khan • Real name: Temujin (Teh-Moo-juhn) • 1206: Unified the Mongol tribes to defeat their rivals. • Created the Mongol Empire • Given the name “Genghis Khan”: means “strong/universal ruler.”

  4. Genghis Khan • Built the largest land empire in history by attacking neighboring areas. • A very brutal man, but tolerant of other religions within his conquered territories. • Promoted trade and ordered a written version of the Mongol language.

  5. Genghis Khan • Rewarded those loyal to him with high rank and position. • Forbade selling women. • Theft received the death penalty. • Hunting animals during breeding season was illegal.

  6. Genghis Khan His death prevented further Mongol spread into Europe. The Mongol Empire was so vast that it was divided into four separate kingdoms called “khanates.” • Ruled by descendants of Genghis Khan.

  7. Mongol Warriors • Excellent horsemen! • Invented the stirrup. • Rode horses and shot bow & arrows. • Used catapults. • Would cut their horses legs and drink the blood if they were out of water. • Extremely brutal and greatly feared. • “Barbaric.”

  8. The Mongols in China • 1260: Kublai Khan (Genghis Khan’s grandson) became Emperor of Northern China. • 1279: United northern & southern China. • Became Emperor of all China • Was fascinated with Chinese art, traditions, and culture. • Adopted Chinese ways and named his dynasty the “Yuan Dynasty”.

  9. The Yuan Dynasty • Encouraged Mongols to adopt Chinese ways. • Moved the capital from Xian/Chang’an to “Khanbaliq.” • Today called Beijing • Sponsored science, art, and created over 20,000 public schools. • Buddhism becomes the state religion.

  10. The Yuan Dynasty • Decline and fall… • Foreign wars cost too much money. • Government corruption • Overthrown by rebellions of Chinese citizens led by a monk.

  11. Marco Polo • A merchant from Venice, Italy. • Traveled along the Silk Road and visited China in the 1270s. • Impressed by Mongol/Chinese cleanliness and use of paper money. • Shocked by Mongol/Chinese superiority in technology and weapons.

  12. Marco Polo • Polo served as a diplomat for Kublai Khan during his travels in Asia. • Returned to Venice during war time with Genoa and was imprisoned as a POW. • While in prison he told his stories to his cellmate.

  13. Marco Polo • Polo’s stories were published and widely distributed. • Many of the stories are fanciful and clearly untrue. • These stories of travel and adventure inspired people like Christopher Columbus to dream of seeing the world and finding a faster route to Asia.

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