Analyze each of the following historical arguments. Which best summarizes the impact of the Mongol Empire’s collapse on people in the conquered regions?

a. The collapse of the Mongol Empire resulted in the government of the conquered regions turning inward and refusing to engage with outside societies.
b.The collapse of the Mongol Empire resulted in most people in the conquered regions retaining the religious beliefs of the Mongols.
c. The collapse of the Mongol Empire resulted in the government of the conquered regions innovating new methods of political organization.
d. The collapse of the Mongol Empire resulted in most people in the conquered regions returning to their cultural roots.

1 answer

To analyze the arguments presented regarding the impact of the Mongol Empire's collapse on people in the conquered regions, we need to consider the historical context and implications of the collapse.

a. The collapse of the Mongol Empire resulted in the government of the conquered regions turning inward and refusing to engage with outside societies.

  • This argument suggests isolationist policies after the empire's fall. However, while some regions may have experienced a degree of isolation due to instability, many former territories of the Mongol Empire continued to engage with other societies and trade networks.

b. The collapse of the Mongol Empire resulted in most people in the conquered regions retaining the religious beliefs of the Mongols.

  • This perspective might oversimplify the religious landscape. The Mongol Empire was known for its religious tolerance, and after its collapse, many regions saw the resurgence of local religions or different beliefs, rather than a straightforward retention of Mongol beliefs.

c. The collapse of the Mongol Empire resulted in the government of the conquered regions innovating new methods of political organization.

  • There is some validity here, as the power vacuum and instability following the collapse led to various states developing new political structures. However, this argument may overlook the extent to which many regions also experienced fragmentation and chaos.

d. The collapse of the Mongol Empire resulted in most people in the conquered regions returning to their cultural roots.

  • This argument is compelling in the sense that many societies indeed sought to reclaim and reinforce their identities after the decline of a unifying empire. The cultural disintegration and subsequent reassertion of local identities were significant, as people began to return to traditional practices and beliefs.

Conclusion: Based on this analysis, d. The collapse of the Mongol Empire resulted in most people in the conquered regions returning to their cultural roots best summarizes the impact of the Mongol Empire's collapse on the regions it had conquered. This reflects the re-emergence of local identities and cultures after the dominance of the Mongol Empire, as people sought to reconnect with their historical and cultural heritage.