Ch 11 Mongols section 1

Mongol Empire size

Largest land-based empire in world history

Mongol Empire’s effect on Eurasia

Brought major civilizations of Eurasia into more direct contact than ever before

Mongol cultural impact

Facilitated global networks of exchange and communication but did NOT spread a major religion, language, or distinctive culture

Temujin’s identity

United the Mongols; recognized as Genghis Khan (“universal/supreme ruler”)

Temujin’s early life

Not destined for power; gained leadership by defeating rival tribes and forming alliances

Reasons for Mongol expansion

Provided a common purpose to unify tribes; needed external resources to reward followers

Length of Mongol conquests

Conquests lasted ~50 years under Genghis Khan and his sons/grandsons (Ogodei, Mongke, Hulegu, Kublai)

Limits to Mongol expansion

Withdrew from Eastern Europe, defeated in Palestine, failed twice to invade Japan, struggled in Southeast Asian jungles

Nature of Mongol expansion

Expanded at its own pace without a master plan for world domination

Mongol disadvantages

Often outnumbered; not technologically advanced

Timing advantages

China was divided; Abbasid Empire was declining—Mongols struck at moments of weakness

Core strengths of Mongol army

Superior leadership, organization, discipline

Mongol military structure

Soldiers arranged in units of 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000 for effective control

Integration of conquered tribes

Conquered groups were broken up and dispersed across multiple units to prevent rebellion

Discipline in Mongol army

Desertion resulted in execution of entire units; leaders fought alongside soldiers

Distribution of wealth

All Mongols benefited from wealth taken from conquered civilizations

Composition of forces

Mongol & Turkic pastoralists = cavalry; agricultural peoples = infantry and artillery

Siege warfare skills

Borrowed siege technologies and techniques from China

Use of conquered people in military

Many conquered people were drafted into the Mongol military

Labor roles for conquered people

Used as laborers building roads, bridges, carrying supplies, and supporting logistics

Artisans in Mongol rule

Skilled workers were spared, enslaved, and put to work

Mongol policy toward resistance

Those who submitted were spared; those who resisted were destroyed

Forms of Mongol brutality

Soldiers killed; women and craftsmen enslaved; “useless” people used as human shields

Psychological warfare

Brutality intimidated other cities into surrendering

Mongol resource management

Detailed censuses measured population and resources for effective taxation

Relay station system (yam)

Enabled rapid communication, supported merchants, and centralized government

Scribes in Mongol Empire

Translated laws into many languages across the empire

Mongol support for trade

Merchants could freely use relay stations and were paid 10% above asking price

Administrative structure

Mongols held top positions; Chinese & Muslim officials filled lower roles

Mongol religious policy

Complete religious tolerance; supported many traditions

Religious activity in empire

Muslim missionaries sought converts among Mongols