AMSCO World History 2.2

Mongols

A people of this name is mentioned as early as the records of the Tang Empire, living as nomads in northern Eurasia. After 1206 they established an enormous empire under the rule of Genghis Khan, linking western & Eastern Eurasia.

Khan

Title given to Mongol leaders, meaning "supreme ruler"

Kuriltai

Meeting of all Mongol chieftains at which the supreme ruler of all tribes was selected

Genghis Khan

- The title of Temüjin when he ruled the mongols

Khanates

The states ruled by a khan; the four units into which Genghis Khan divided the Mongol Empire.

Pax Mongolica

- Period of Eurasian history of Mongolian Peace

Batu

- Ruler of the golden horde

Golden Horde

Mongol khanate founded by Genghis Khan's. It was based in southern Russia and quickly adopted both the Turkic language and Islam. Also known as the Kipchak Horde.

Moscow

Russia's dominant political center under Mongols.

Hulegu

Mongol ruler who conquered much of Southwest Asia

Il-khanate

Mongol rule in Persia, that was deferred to local Persian authorities as long as they delivered taxes to the Mongols and maintained order

Kublai Khan

- Leader of the Mongols

Yuan Dynasty

Established by Kublai Khan (Genghis' grandson); in China; set up by Mongols and replied to the Song Dynasty; rebuilt capital at Zhongdu; inspired loyalty in Buddhists & Daoists; diverse and prosperous- cultural exchanges, improved trade, and more women's rights

Zhu Yuanzhang

A rebel leader from a peasant family seized the Mongol capital of Beijing and proclaimed a new Ming Dynasty

Ming Dynasty

Empire based in China, that Zhu Yuanzhang established after the overthrow of the Yuan empire. The Ming emperor, Yongle sponsored the forbidden city & the voyages of Zheng He. the later years of the Ming saw a slow-down in technological development & economic decline

Gobi Desert

A large desert located in southern Mongolia and northern China where many invaders came through to attack China.

Siege Weapons

- Weapons used to attack castles.

Cannon

A mongol invention cobbled together using Chinese gunpowder, Muslim flamethrowers, and European bell-casting techniques

Uyghur Alphabet

System of writing Genghis Khan sought to use to unify the Mongol empire.

White Lotus Society

Secret religious society dedicated to overthrow of Yuan dynasty in China; typical of peasant resistance to Mongol rule; successful in 1348; founded Ming after revolt

Bubonic Plague

A bacterial disease of fleas that can be transmitted by flea bites to rodents & humans; humans in late stages of illness can spread the bacteria by coughing. Because of it's very high mortality rate & the difficulty of preventing it's spread, major outbreaks have created crisis in many parts of the world.

- The founder of the Mongol Empire

- Established empire capital, many bridges built, religious tolerance, protection of the Silk Road

- One of Genghis Khan's grandsons

- Responsible for the invasion of Russia beginning in 1236.

- Founder of Yuan Dynasty

- Helped the mongols to take over lots of civilizations.