Ch.7-Section IV. Mongolia

• Civilizations in Asia and Eastern Europe faced a common threat from Central Asian warriors.
• Central Asia's steppes served as a highway for nomadic tribes.
• The Huns and Turks were among the nomadic peoples who moved into China and Europe over time.
• By the 13th century, the Mongols united Central Asia.
• The Mongol Empire became the largest land empire in history in under a century.

Building the Mongol Empire

• The Mongol homeland was north of China, in modern-day Mongolia.
• Mongols were nomadic people divided into tribes.
• Temujin, born in 1162, united the Mongol tribes.
• In 1206, Temujin was named "Chinggis Khan" (universal ruler).
• Chinggis Khan believed he had a divine commission to conquer the world and organized a disciplined army.
• The Mongols conquered northern China and then expanded westward into Central Asia, Persia, and southern Russia.
• Chinggis Khan's death in 1227 halted his campaign to conquer all of China.
• The Mongol army was divided into groups of tens, hundreds, and thousands for quick strikes.
• The Mongols were expert horsemen, giving them an advantage in battle.
• The Mongols terrorized populations to discourage resistance, often massacring entire cities.
• Mongol expansion continued after Chinggis Khan's death.
• Mongol armies conquered China, Russia, and Muslim states in central and southwestern Asia.
• They sacked Baghdad, ending the Abbasid dynasty and weakening the Seljuk Turks.
• The empire was later divided into separate Mongol states ruled by Chinggis Khan's descendants.

The Yuan Dynasty in China (1279-1368)

• The Chinese had centuries of experience defending against Central Asian nomads.
• Kublai Khan, grandson of Chinggis, completed the conquest of China.
• Kublai Khan conquered southern China, the stronghold of the Song dynasty.
• Kublai Khan established the Mongol (Yuan) dynasty and moved the capital to Cambaluc (Beijing).
• Kublai Khan built highways to improve trade and communication.
• Kublai Khan invited people from around the world to his capital, and employed foreigners in government.
• Marco Polo, a European, spent seventeen years in China, serving Kublai Khan and later writing about his travels.
• After Kublai's death, the Mongol Empire divided into independent kingdoms.
• Chinese resentment of foreign rule grew due to exclusion from government positions.
• In 1368, the Chinese drove the Mongols out and established the Ming dynasty.
• China adopted an anti-foreigner policy, closing itself off from outside influences for five centuries.

The Golden Horde in Russia

• Batu Khan, another grandson of Chinggis, led the Mongols into Europe.
• Between 1238 and 1242, the Mongols (or Tartars) conquered Russia, Hungary, and Poland.
• Batu withdrew to the Volga River and formed the "Golden Horde".
• Russia remained under Golden Horde rule for 250 years, paying tribute and providing army recruits.
• Russian ties with Western Europe and the Byzantine Empire weakened, while Asian influences grew.
• Moscow grew from an insignificant town to the capital of Russia due to its central location and cooperation with the khans.
• Moscow's leaders served as tax collectors for the Golden Horde, and the prince of Moscow was recognized as the grand prince of Russia.
• The Russian Orthodox Church moved from Kiev to Moscow, making Moscow the religious center of Russia.
• Moscow grew strong while the Golden Horde weakened.
• Under Ivan III (1462-1505), Moscow refused to pay tribute and became independent by 1480.
• Ivan extended his control over northern Russia and became an autocratic leader.
• After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, Moscow became known as the "Third Rome".

Later Mongol Empires

• In the late 14th century, Tamerlane attempted to rebuild Chinggis Khan's empire.
• Tamerlane belonged to a Mongol-Turkish tribe.
• Tamerlane conquered Muslim lands in southwestern Asia, including Baghdad and Damascus, and defeated the Ottoman Turks.
• Tamerlane's invasion of southern Russia weakened the Golden Horde.
• In 1398, Tamerlane invaded India, destroying Delhi and slaughtering many.
• Tamerlane died in 1405 while planning an invasion of China.
• Tamerlane's empire collapsed shortly after his death.

Mongols and Islam

• Mongol attacks frequently targeted India.
• Mongol rule was not established in India until the 16th century.
• Babur, a descendant of Chinggis Khan and Tamerlane, invaded northern India in 1526.
• After capturing Delhi, Babur established the Mughal dynasty.
• Later Mughal rulers expanded the empire and imposed Islam.
• Mongol leaders converted to Islam over time.
• Tamerlane sought to carry out jihad, slaughtering Hindus.
• Babur and Akbar continued jihad against Hindus in India.
• Under the Mughals, Indian civilization was transformed, and there was an eventual establishment of law and order.
• Akbar expanded the empire and reformed Indian government but approved the slaughter of Hindus.