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Geography of the Steppe

Temperatures range from -57 F in the winter to 96F in the summer

Windy, with very little rain

Very poor farmland encouraged Nomadic Life

Nomadic Life Did not wander; followed

seasonal patterns and returned to areas to feed animals

Used horses and were skilled on them

Traveled in clans; multiple clans joined together when larger force was needed

MONGOL CONQUESTS

Why were the people of the Steppe nomadic?

How might the nomadic people interact with settled societies?

Dry, windswept land was poor for farming

Often groups engaged in peaceful trade, however sometimes nomadic clans would raid villages or if empire was weak over run entire empire

REVIEW/PREVIEW

GENGHIS KHAN

Around 1200 Temujun began uniting the Mongol clans by defeating rivals

1206 assumes the name Genghis Khan, which means “universal ruler”

Sought to conquer Asia

HOW GENGHIS WON

Organization10,000 man armies; 1,000 man brigades; 100 man companies; 10 man squads

StrategyUsed various techniques to confuse enemies

CrueltyUsed cruelty and fear to get many to surrender without a fight

THE MONGOL EMPIRE

Even after Genghis died, conquering continued till Mongols had largest Empire ever; From China to Poland

Division4 regions or khanates

Khanate of the Great Khan (Mongolia and China)Khanate of Chagatai (Central Asia)Khanate of Ilkhanate (Persia)Khanate of the Golden Horde (Russia)

RULERS

Many areas never recovered because the Mongols destroyed so much land or the population decreased greatly

Tolerant in PeaceDid not impose beliefs on people; some Mongol leaders even converted to culture of people they ruled

PAX MONGOLIA

Mid 1200’s –Mid 1300’s

Trade Caravans, travelers and missionaries could travel safely from one empire to another

Ideas and inventions spread rapidly during this time (Gunpowder reached Europe)

Some believe the bubonic plague also reached Europe from Asia by Mongol troops during this time

REVIEW QUESTIONS

Why were the peoples of the Steppe nomadic?

How might a clan system be suitable for a nomadic society?

What factors would someone trying to unify clans need to consider?

What are advantages and disadvantages to using cruelty as a weapon?

Why would the Mongols concern themselves with the safe passage of traders?

KUBLAI KHAN

Grandson of Genghis Khan; assumed title Great Khan in 1260

Sought to control all of China

1279 first foreigner to rule all of China

Started the Yuan Dynasty

WHY IS KUBLAI KHAN IMPORTANT?

United all of China for first time in more than 300 years For this he is considered a great emperor

Because the Mongols controlled such a large area China is opened to greater Foreign contacts and trade

Tolerated Chinese Culture and made few changes to the system of Government

EMPEROR KUBLAI KHAN

Unlike other Mongol Leaders Kublai leaves Mongolia and the nomadic lifestyle

Moves to Beijing and enjoys luxuries

Attempts to invade Japan in 1274 and 1281 Were defeated both times

GOVERNMENT UNDER KUBLAI

Mongols and Chinese live apart and obeyed different laws

High Government positions went to Mongols or Foreigners Foreigners were trusted more than Chinese because they did not

have local ties

Local positions were left to the Chinese

Increased Under Kublai Khan

Largely due to Pax Mongolia

Chinese Silks and Porcelain were shipped to Western Europe and Western Asia

Printing, gunpowder, compass, paper currency and playing cards also brought to Europe

Marco Polo Son of a trader that

traveled the Silk Roads

Worked in Kublai’s Court for 17

Told stories of China in Europe

Said China was the greatest civilization in the world

FOREIGN TRADE

END OF MONGOL RULE

Over spending and failed conquests hurt Kublai Khan

When he dies family fights over who will follow

Chinese do not like Mongol rule Started rebellions

Famine, Flood, disease, economic problems and government corruption also occurred

END OF MONGOL RULE

1368 Mongols overthrown in China Leads to Ming dynasty

Other Khanates ended in 1300 and 1400’s

REVIEW

Why didn’t the Mongols try to adapt Chinese culture? Proud of their own culture, Chinese did not accept them

What factors led to the Yuan Dynasty’s downfall? Overexpansion, military defeats, heavy Taxation, resentment from

Chinese, fighting within the family, natural disasters, corruption

FEUDAL POWERS IN JAPAN

Describe three major events in early Japanese History. 400s

Yamamoto the leading Clan Mid 700s

Court accepts Buddhism 11th century

Feudalism