Title: Chapter 12 The Civilizations of East Asia Section 2: The Mongol Empire
1Chapter 12 - The Civilizations of East
AsiaSection 2 The Mongol Empire
2 The Mongols were tough, skilled warriors who
lived in the saddle. They could travel for days
at a time on their shaggy ponies, drinking mare's
milk and eating only a few handfuls of grain.
They were also considered the most skilled horse
riders in the world. About 1200, the Mongols
burst out of Central Asia to conquer an empire
stretching across Asia and Europe. In the
process, they overran Song China and imposed
Mongol rule on its people.
3I. Genghis Khan and the Mongols
- c.1200 AD, the Mongols began building an empire
across Asia and into Europe
4I. Genghis Khan and the Mongols
- Mongols were nomadic warring tribes who herded
horses and sheep on the steppes north of China
5I. Genghis Khan and the Mongols
- A Mongol chieftain united the tribes and took the
name Genghis Khan, or "World Emperor'
Mongolians unveiled a statue of Khan in Ulan
Bator in 2006 to mark the 800th anniversary of
his rise to power
6I. Genghis Khan and the Mongols
- Under Genghis Khan, Mongols captured northern
China, Central Asia and most of Persia
7I. Genghis Khan and the Mongols
- Mongols faced problems when attacking China until
Chinese and Turkish military experts taught them
to use new weapons
8I. Genghis Khan and the Mongols
- Batu invaded Europe in 1240 and Kublai Khan
- conquered all of China in 1279
9I. Genghis Khan and the Mongols
- The Mongol Empire was divided into four parts
- and in 1260, Kublai Khan received the title of
- Great Khan, head of the Mongol Empire
10I. Genghis Khan and the Mongols
- For over 150 years, the Mongols dominated much of
Asia
11I. Genghis Khan and the Mongols
- The Mongols were not oppressive rulers towards
the conquered but demanded tribute
12I. Genghis Khan and the Mongols
- Genghiz Khans heirs established a period of
peace and order known as the Pax Mongolica, or
Mongol Peace
13I. Genghis Khan and the Mongols
- Political stability set the stage for economic
growth
14I. Genghis Khan and the Mongols
- The Mongols controlled the great Silk Road and
trade flourished across Eurasia
15I. Genghis Khan and the Mongols
- Cultural exchange increased as foods, tools,
inventions, and ideas spread along the trade
routes
16II. China Under the Mongols
- Kublai Khan defeated the Sung Dynasty in 1279 and
came to rule China, Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam
17II. China Under the Mongols
- Kublai adopted a Chinese name for his dynasty,
the Yuan, that ruled China until 1368
18II. China Under the Mongols
- Kublai ruled from Beijing, extended the Grand
Canal, fostered trade with India and Persia
The Grand Canal of China is the world's oldest
and longest canal, far surpassing the next two
grand canals of the world Suez and Panama Canal.
The building of the canal began in 486 B.C.
during the Wu Dynasty. It was extended during the
Qin Dynasty and later by the Sui Dynasty during
six years of furious construction from 605-610
AD. The canal is 1,795 Km (1,114 miles) long with
24 locks and some 60 bridges.
19II. China Under the Mongols
- Marco Polo visited China during the Yuan dynasty
and stayed for 17 years
Marco Polo (1254 1324)
20II. China Under the Mongols
- Polo wrote about Chinas wealth and splendor and
astonished readers in Europe
21II. China Under the Mongols
- Polo's reports sparked European interest in the
riches of Asia
Silk Scarfs
Star Anise, Black White Pepper, Red Chiles,
Cinamon and Bay Leaves
22II. China Under the Mongols
- 1294 - Kublai died. Weak successors, floods,
famine and rebellion led to the overthrow of the
Yuan in 1368
Huang He Chinas Sorrow