Despite his image as a bloody tyrant Genghis was also forward thinking His empire had the first international postal system invented the concept of diplomatic immunity and even allowed women in its councils But more importantly the Mongols were also unprecedented in their religious toleran ID: 561426
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The Mongols: Surprise of the Steppe
“Despite his image as a bloody tyrant, Genghis was also forward thinking. His empire had the first international postal system, invented the concept of diplomatic immunity, and even allowed women in its councils. But more importantly, the Mongols were also unprecedented in their religious tolerance.”
- James RollinsSlide2
People and Places
Genghis Khan
(1162-1227)
Kublai Khan (1215-1294)KarakorumLocation of all the empires the Mongols conqueredSlide3
Normal Nomads
Life revolved around goats, sheep, and horses
Traded their products for manufactured items
Essential unit was the tribe divided into clansThese could be combined for short periods
Who does this remind you of?Slide4
Geography Matters!Slide5
Tiny
Temujin
Born into a harsh life that got harsher after his dad was killed
Deserted by his father’s allies and taken prisonerEscaped and fled with his family to a friendly chieftainProved his military prowess over the yearsProclaimed supreme ruler in 1206
3.2.1Slide6
Mongol Military
Speed and mobility are the strengths of the all cavalry army
Horse archers and lancers
Organized in tumens
Adopted siege warfare from empires around them, even firearms
Important message, spy, and map making groups
Inventive tactics
3.2.1Slide7
Mobile
MaruadersSlide8
Cruel conquest
Now united, the Mongols crumpled the Xia Xia,
Jin
, Kara Khitai and Khwarazam empires by Genghis’s death in 1227None were spared from slavery or slaughter except those useful
Towns that surrendered got off with tribute
Empire divided into four khanates with
Ogedei
(1186-1241) as new grand khanSlide9
Enormous EmpireSlide10
King-sized Khanates Slide11
Kingdom at Karakorum
Founded by Genghis and made a true capital by
Ogedei
Though the Mongols were shamanistic, all religions were tolerated and encouragedThe administration used all ethnicities for adviceAfter the bloodshed, the Pax
Mongolica
allowed trade, artistry, exchange, and ideas to flourishSlide12
Teeming with TradeSlide13
Hopefully you know this from the reading, but In order to properly examine the Mongols we must get rid of all notions calling them savages. Yes, the Mongols did slaughter countless people in their conquests. But then again, how many African and Indian lives were extinguished during Britain’s golden Age? A good historian does not judge by his world, but by the world of his subjects. Avoiding making a “historian’s fallacy” is a crucial step in understanding history, for it leads to higher level questioning and comprehension.