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Topic: The Yuan Dynasty 1279-1368 CE. Unit: China. Essential Question:. How did the Mongols come to rule China and what were the major factors in the end of their rule???. Nomads of the Asian Steppe. Geography of the Steppe
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Topic: The Yuan Dynasty1279-1368 CE Unit: China
Essential Question: How did the Mongols come to rule China and what were the major factors in the end of their rule???
Nomads of the Asian Steppe • Geography of the Steppe • Steppe—dry grassland of Eurasia (Europe and Asia —provides home for nomads. • Dry arid climate with extreme temperatures. • Steppe nomads are pastoralists—herd domesticated animals. • Way of life teaches Asian nomads to be skilled horse riders.
Genghis, “The Universal Ruler” • A brilliant organizer and strategist, uses brutality to terrorize his enemies. • By 1225, Genghis Khan controls central Asia. • Genghis Khan dies in 1227 and his successors continue conquests for 50 years. • The Mongols conquer territory from China to Eastern Europe
Kublai Khan • A New Emperor • Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis, conquers China by 1279. • Kublai established the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), a period of peace and relative prosperity. • Kublai adopts Chinese ways, and builds capital at Beijing.
Brain Snack . . . .
Ponder Answer these reflective questions? • Why were Mongols such an intimidating enemy? • How did the Mongols connect their vast empire?
Mongol Rule in China • Kublai is tolerant and does not force the Chinese to adopt Mongol ways. • Some Mongols adopt aspects of Chinese culture, like Confucianism. • Still, Chinese are resentful of rule by foreigners, whom they saw as rude and uncivilized.
Mongol Rule in China • Mongols keep control by preventing scholar officials from gaining too much power and levying heavy taxes. • Taxes used to expand public works projects • Kublai extends Grand Canal to Beijing, and builds a highway.
Growth of Trade • Yuans favor a policy of non-isolationism • Mongol soldier presence, kept overland trade routes (Silk Road) safe for Merchants, increasing overland trade • Mongol Emperors welcome foreign traders at Chinese ports, increasing overseas trade.
Marco Polo at the Mongol Court • Venetian trader, Marco Polo, visits China in 1275. • Polo returns to Venice in 1292; tells stories of what he saw in China. • Fabulous cities, fantastic wealth • Burning “black stones (coal) to heat Chinese homes • Kublai Khan’s government and trade in Beijing
Factors of the Fall of the Yuan Dynasty • Chinese resentment of foreign rule and heavy taxes. • Extensive public works projects weakened the economy. • Failed invasions of Japan weaken the Mongol Military. • Bent on conquest, Kublai tries and fails to Conquer Japan in 1274 and 1281. • In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang leads a rebellion and reunifies China under the Ming Dynasty.