The Mongols Facts
Who were the Mongols and where did they live?
- The Mongols were a nomadic group from Central Asia, primarily modern-day Mongolia.
- They lived in large, movable tents called yurts and were skilled horsemen.
How did the Mongols live?
- They were organized into clans and tribes, often moving from place to place in search of grazing land for their animals.
- Their society was based on herding and they relied heavily on horses for travel and warfare.
- The Mongols had a strong warrior culture, and their leaders had to be strong and strategic.
What were the Mongols’ greatest skills?
- The Mongols were exceptional horse riders and archers.
- They were also skilled at planning and executing military strategies.
- Their ability to adapt and adopt different techniques from other cultures was a huge advantage in their conquests.
Genghis Khan Timeline
- 1206: Genghis Khan is proclaimed the leader of the Mongols, uniting the various tribes.
- 1211: The Mongols began their invasion of China, starting with the Jin dynasty.
- 1227: Genghis Khan dies during a campaign against the Western Xia and the Mongol Empire expands significantly.
- 1260: Kublai Khan, Genghis's grandson, becomes the ruler and eventually establishes the Yuan dynasty.
Evaluating Were the Mongols good or bad rulers of the Chinese empire?
The Mongols had both good and bad points as rulers of China. On the one hand, they brought some stability and connected trade routes, which helped improve trade. They also promoted cultural exchanges between the East and West. However, they were often seen as oppressive rulers and the Chinese people had trouble accepting them as their leaders. The fact that they set aside the civil service exams and let non-Chinese people into government jobs created tension and resentment.
Additional points from the Guided Reading
- Kublai Khan established Khanbaliq (now Beijing) as the capital in 1264.
- The Yuan dynasty lasted for several centuries and changed the way China was governed.
- Although they were from different backgrounds, the Mongols and Chinese shared similarities in language, laws, and customs.
- The Mongol rule was different because they allowed foreigners to take on important government jobs, which upset many Chinese.
- Many Chinese never accepted Mongol rule, feeling alienated even centuries after the Mongols took over.
Who was Marco Polo and why was he an important figure in China?
- Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant and explorer who traveled to China and served in Kublai Khan’s court. He wrote about his adventures and experiences in his book, which gave Europeans a glimpse of Asian culture and wealth.
What effect did China’s shipbuilding have on trade and the expansion of the empire?
- China’s advances in shipbuilding allowed for more efficient ships that could travel further, which boosted trade with other countries and helped expand the empire’s influence overseas. This led to greater cultural exchange and increased wealth for the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty.
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