Mongol Eurasia & Its Aftermath1200-1500

Nomadism in Central Asia• Resources

– Scarce water = Pressure for tribes to move out to find new sources

• Complex federations– The groups /families formed larger

groups called federations– Women important in negotiating

alliances

• Seasonal migrations and religious contacts– Brought into contact w/: Judaism,

Christianity, Buddhism & Islam– Tolerant of other Religions– Khan thought to represent the sky god

• Hierarchical organization– Headed by single leader or khan– Khan’s decision had to be ratified by a

council of leaders of powerful families– Powerful groups demanded and

received tribute in the form of slaves and goods (some lived entirely on tribute).

Genghis Khan • Temujin aka Genghis (Chinggis) Khan

– Responsible for bringing together all Mongol tribes into a single confederation

• Mastered the art of steppe diplomacy– Called for displays of personal courage

in battle combined with intense loyalty to allies, and the ability to entice other tribes into cooperative relationships.

• The four most significant legacies (aside from his conquests) are:

– His tolerance of many religions– His creation of the Mongols' first script– His support for trade and crafts– His creation of a legal code specific to

their pastoral-nomadic way of life

Mongol Conquests• 1206-1258 conquered from Korea

to Hungary and Baghdad

• Reputation for slaughtering all who would not surrender

• Ability to take advantage of rivalry among enemies

• Ability to conquer based on:– Horsemanship– Better bows– Following a volley of arrows w/

deadly cavalry– Adopting new military techniques

and technology– Incorporating non-Mongol soldiers

into their armies

Strong Equestrians and Archers• The Mongols were oriented around

extreme mobility. They carried their houses with them, drank their own horse's blood and milk to stay alive, and could travel up to 60 miles per day.

• They had an elaborate priority-mail-system which allowed orders to be transmitted rapidly across Eurasia.

• Mongol archers were very deadly and accurate

– Their arrows could kill enemies at 200 meters (656 feet)

– Modified stirrup– ‘Terror’ tactics (psychological warfare)

Impact of the Mongols

• Mongol conquests opened overland trade routes

– Long distance trade led to cross diffusion of military and science between Europe, Middle East, China, Iran and India.

• Never before seen commercial integration in Eurasia

– Trade from Venice to Beijing by sea and overland routes

• The Great Pandemic (Bubonic Plague) would bring even greater population shifts

Shortly after Genghis Khan’s death in 1227, his empire split into four Khanates among sons & grandsons (P 329).