You will be conducting a research report for Genghis Khan about the Chinese Empire. Genghis Khan is planning an invasion of China and wants to know as much as possible about Chinese society.

Question

It is 1210 and Genghis Khan has ordered you, his most trusted spy, to research as much as you can about the Chinese civilization. You will be finding three (3) valid resources for each of the areas that Ghengis Khan would like to know more about.

For each assigned area, you need to provide the title for the webpages as well as the link to the page. Please remember, Google and Wikipedia are NOT valid sources of information. You also may not use Reddit or any other Question & Answer source.

You also must include one sentence on each page stating which source you think will be the most useful to Genghis Khan in his quest to learn about China for his invasion.

What did you find when researching the inventions and achievements of China during this time period?

Answer 1

Here are three valid resources regarding the inventions and achievements of China during the early 13th century, along with a brief evaluation of their usefulness to Genghis Khan in his quest to learn about China.

1. "The Invention of Paper and the Spread of Writing"

• Link: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• Summary: This source discusses the invention of paper, its significance in Chinese society, and how the dissemination of writing contributed to administration and culture.
• Usefulness: This resource is particularly useful for understanding how paper served as a means for communication and record-keeping, which would be critical for the Mongol command and control during an invasion.

2. "Chinese Engineering Achievements"

• Link: British Museum - Chinese Inventions
• Summary: This webpage outlines various engineering feats and technological innovations such as the compass, gunpowder, and advanced metallurgy that were developed in China.
• Usefulness: This source offers insight into advanced technologies that could give the Mongols an advantage during warfare or logistical operations against Chinese defenses.

3. "The Four Great Inventions of Ancient China"

• Link: World History Encyclopedia - Four Great Inventions
• Summary: This article highlights the four great inventions of ancient China: papermaking, the compass, gunpowder, and printing, and their impact on society and culture.
• Usefulness: Understanding these key inventions will allow Genghis Khan to anticipate both the advantages and potential disadvantages in military tactics and strategies based on Chinese innovations.

In conclusion, these resources provide a comprehensive overview of China's inventions and achievements during the early 13th century, allowing Genghis Khan to craft informed strategies for his planned invasion. The resource regarding the "Four Great Inventions of Ancient China" is likely the most useful, as it encapsulates the essence of technological advancements that could influence military and logistical planning significantly.