In 7-8 sentences, explain how overextension and fragmentation caused the collapse of the Mongol Empire, and explain it as simply as possible

Answer 1

The Mongol Empire was the largest contiguous empire in history, but it eventually fell apart due to overextension and fragmentation. Overextension happened because the Mongols conquered vast territories across Asia and Europe, stretching their resources and administration thin. Managing such a large area became increasingly difficult, leading to communication problems and delays in responding to local issues. Fragmentation occurred as different regions of the empire started to operate independently, with local leaders asserting more control and loyalty to their own areas rather than to the Mongol central authority. This independence weakened the empire's cohesion, making it harder to unify against external threats or internal revolts. Furthermore, the cultural differences and diverse populations within the empire often led to conflicts and misunderstandings. As a result, the unity that initially made the Mongols powerful eroded, leading to their eventual decline and collapse. In summary, the vastness of their empire made it hard to manage effectively, and local divisions further weakened their strength, contributing to the empire's downfall.