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12.2 – The Mongol Conquests. Geography of the Steppe. Eastern section ( Mongolia ) – home of the Huns, Turks , & the Mongols Short grasses & little rain Dramatic temperature changes Movements west & south = milder climate & more rainfall. Nomads.
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Geography of the Steppe • Eastern section (Mongolia) – home of the Huns, Turks, & the Mongols • Short grasses & little rain • Dramatic temperature changes • Movements west & south = milder climate & more rainfall
Nomads • Pastoralists = Nomads that herd domesticated animals • Follow seasonal pattern of movement = battle over grassland & water • Depend on animals for everything • Travel together, forming clans • Raid & plunder other clans or weakened/divided empires
Rise of the Mongols • 1206: Mongols united by Temujin; takes title of Genghis Khan (“universal ruler”) • Ruthless campaigns across Asia • Slaughters those who don’t surrender • Destroys Cities (ex. Samarkand) • Gains vast riches = plunder • 1225: Central Asia under Mongol rule
The Conqueror • Brilliant Organizer • Small, mobile armies of 10k w/ leaders being most experienced & loyal • Great Strategist • Feint-&-Attack – Fall back & spring the trap • Siege warfare = launch diseased cows into cities • Cruel • Threatened to kill an entire cities if they didn’t surrender = causes many to surrender w/o a fight • Dies in 1227 from illness
Empire • X<50yrs: Control lands stretching from China to Poland = largest unified land empire in history • Even defeat China, invade Korea, & conquer Persia • Divide empire into 4 regions or khanates, each ruled by a descendant of Genghis Khan • Khanate of the Great Khan (Mongolia & China) • Khanate of Chagatai (Central Asia) • Ilkhanate (Persia) • Khanate of the Golden Horde (Russia)
Mongol Rule • Many areas never recover: • Populations wiped out • Irrigation destroyed • Ferocious in war, tolerant in peace • Allow peoples to keep culture & beliefs; even adopt aspects as well • Ex: Golden Horde & Ilkhanate become Muslim • Cultural differences b/w khanates leads to splitting of the empire (eventual)
Pax Mongolica • Mid-1200s – Mid-1300s – Stability reigns across Mongol lands = PaxMongolica • “Mongolian Peace” • Guarantee safe passage across empire for travelers & trade • Ideas & inventions flow east & west • Ex. Gunpowder • Bad: Bubonic plague spread west b/c of Mongols