Chapter 12
Background
The Mongols
The Mongols were a nomadic people that lived in the Eastern Steppes in Asia. They often came down the their southern neighbors to loot, plunder, and take over territory. They were pastoralists, meaning they herded domesticated animals and moved with the herd when they grazed following a seasonal pattern, leaving and returning to campsites multiple times. Different nomadic groups would often get into fights over territory, grazing pastures, and water sources. (McDougal Littell: Ancient World History)
Rise
In around 1200 AD, the many Mongol tribes that existed at the time were united under one leader named Temujin, who later renamed himself to Genghis Khan, meaning "universal leader". Over the course of the next 21 years, he went on to conquer much of Asia. He invaded the northern part of the Jin Empire in 1211, but his attacks came to a halt when his attention was drawn to Mongolian merchants and ambassadors that were being killed by Muslims. His forces swept across Central Asia until he had conquered it entirely in 1225. (McDougal Littell: Ancient World History)
The Mongol Empire
Even though Genghis Khan died from illness in 1227 AD, his legacy and empire lived on. In under 50 years, the Mongol Empire spanded from east China to Poland, creating the largest civilization ever in history. The Mongol Empire was split into 4 parts, called khanates (see map on right), and distributed between Genghis Khan's children and grandchildren. Many areas they conquered never fully recovered. They wiped out entire populations and destroyed irrigations systems, making the area unfit for large populations. Even though they were savage and brutal during times of war, during times of peace they tolerated local cultures, and sometimes even adopted them. From the 1200's to 1300's, stability prospered throughout the Mongol Empire. This time was called the Pax Mongolica, or Mongol Peace. Ideas and inventions spread throughout Eurasia, such as the creation and use of gunpowder. Although this wide spread of ideas was highly beneficial, it also caused problems, such as the speculated spread of the bubonic plague. (McDougal Littell: Ancient World History)
