APWH Ch 11: The Mongols

Pastoralism

Nomadic lifestyle and herding domesticated livestock

Modun

(210-174 BCE) Ruler of Xiongnu Empire, transformed nomadic tribes into a centralized/hierarchal political empire.

Xiongnu

(3rd cent BCE) Confederation of nomadic pastoral peoples who formed the first unified nomadic empire. Challenged the Han dynasty by posing a threat to China’s northern frontier. Repeated invasions in Chinese kingdoms lead ot the Great Wall of China.

Turks

Diverse ethnolinguistic group of nomadic origin from Central Asia. Most tribes converted to Islam. There were Seljuk Turks (11^th-14^th cents.), and Ottoman Turks (13^th -20^th cent).

Almoravid Empire

(1040-1147) Berber Muslim Dynasty from Sahara that unified North Africa and parts of Muslim Spain (Al-Andalus). Almoravids emerged from a strict, orthodox Islamic reform movement. Controlled parts of trans-Saharan trade routes (gold, salt, other goods). Their capital at Marrakesh was a cultural/economic center.

Temujin

(AKA Chinggis Khan & Genghis Khan) Founder of the first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire.  Mongol leader who united nomadic Mongol tribes through strategic alliances and military victories.

Chinggis Khan (AKA) Genghis Khan

(AKA Temujin) Meaning “Universal Ruler.” Founder of the first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire.  Mongol leader who united nomadic Mongol tribes through strategic alliances and military victories.

The Mongol world war

(13^th cent.) The half-century of continuous military campaigns (that led to collapse of Song Dynasty and Abbasid Caliphate, replacing them w/ Mongol Khanates), massacres, and empire-building, launched by Genghis Khan and his successors across Eurasia. Across Korea, China, Central Asia, Russia, Islamic Middle East, and Eastern Europe.

Yuan dynasty China

(1271 to 1368 CE) Mongol-led imperial Chinese dynasty established by Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan. First time in history that entire territory of China was ruled by a foreign, non-Han power. Revitalized and protected Silk Road. Invited foreign travelers like Marco Polo.

Khubilai Khan

(1260 to 1294) Fifth Khagan/Emperor of Mongol Empire, founder of Yuan Dynasty in China. Adopted aspects of Chinese governance while maintaining Mongol traditions. Religiously tolerant.

Hulegu

Mongol Ruler and a grandson of Genghis Khan who had a conquest of Southwest Asia and establishment of Ilkhanate (1/4 of Mongol khanates) in Persia. Conquered Baghdad and marked the end of Islamic Golden Age.

Khutulun

Mongol princess and warrior who symbolizes freedom and influence of elite Mongol women. Great-great-granddaughter of Genghis Khan and the influential daughter of Kaidu. Horsewoman, archer, undefeated wrestler, vowed to marry only a man who could defeat her in a wrestling match.

Kipchak Khanate (AKA) The Golden Horde

(13^th to 15^th cent.) (AKA Golden Horde) Mongol and later Turkified khanate that ruled in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan.

Black Death/Plague

(14^th cent.) global pandemic across Afro-Eurasia. Affecting trade networks, social structures, cultural perspectives, and Europe’s population.