Ch 11 Mongols in China

Mongol invasion of Northern China

Characterized by massive destruction and plunder; region had been ruled for centuries by pastoral peoples

Mongol conquest of Southern China

Less violent; Mongols accommodated the local Song Dynasty population

Impact on China’s unity

Mongols unified China; some believed they had earned the Mandate of Heaven

Adoption of Chinese systems

Used Chinese administrative practices, taxation methods, and postal system

Yuan Dynasty identity

Mongols called themselves the Yuan Dynasty and moved the capital to Beijing

Kublai Khan

Grandson of Chinggis Khan; known for policies that evoked benevolence

Mongol religious attitudes in China

Mongol khans favored and incorporated Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism

Nature of Mongol rule in China

Still harsh, exploitative, and resented by many Chinese

Mongol cultural identity in China

Mongols did not become Chinese and refused to adopt all aspects of Chinese culture

Mongol court lifestyle

Royal family and court continued steppe traditions; animals roamed freely

Mongol elite housing

Preferred living in traditional steppe tents

Civil service exam policy

Completely ignored the Chinese civil service exam system

Use of foreign officials

Relied on foreigners for government positions; top jobs reserved for Mongols

Mongol-Chinese language barrier

Few Mongols learned Chinese; law discriminated against Chinese

Mongol restrictions on Chinese

Banned intermarriage and prohibited Chinese scholars from learning the Mongol script

Kublai Khan's advisors

Relied heavily on female advisors; chief advisor was his wife Chabi

Chabi's influence

Promoted accommodating Chinese subjects and saw agricultural potential for tax revenue

Fall of Mongol rule in China

Caused by factionalism, rising prices, plague, and widespread peasant rebellions

End of Mongol rule (1368)

Rebel forces defeated the Mongols, who retreated to the steppes

Ming Dynasty response to Mongol rule

Sought to erase Mongol influence and re-established Confucian traditions