In 5-6 sentences, explain how overextension and fragmentation caused the collapse of the Mongol Empire.

Answer 1

The Mongol Empire, at its height, was the largest contiguous land empire in history, spanning vast territories across Eurasia. However, its rapid expansion led to overextension, making governance increasingly difficult as the central authority struggled to maintain control over far-flung regions. Additionally, the empire was fragmented into several khanates, each ruled by different descendants of Genghis Khan, which created rivalries and weakened central cohesion. As these khanates pursued their own interests, communication and cooperation diminished, leading to conflicts over resources and territorial disputes. The inability to effectively manage and unify these diverse regions made the empire vulnerable to internal strife and external pressures, ultimately contributing to its decline. Thus, the combination of overextension and fragmentation eroded the political stability necessary for the Mongol Empire's survival.