The Mongol Empire Flashcards
Give the major theme of this topic
Conflict between nomads and states
Give some background to the nomads
• Key to their power was ecology and geography, able to dominate great regions of the world
• Equally fundamental was the horse. Vastly increased their speed and mobility. Able to utilise horseback warfare to raid and conquer civilisations of China and South Asia.
Sedentary civilisations were only able to repel such aggression when they too adopted horseback warfare
• Nomads continued to attack Chinese territory up until 19thC.
How does Cain and Able relate
Represents the clash between nomads and sedentary people
That Able wins is indicative of the cultural bias against nomads because the history of the conflict was written by sedentary writers
Why is climate change potentially a significant factor to nomads
(Nicola din Cosm)
Some historians have argued that Mongol migration is linked to climate change.
Nicola din Cosm has argued that 13thc was abnormally wet and warm in what is now Mongolia.
Thus richer grasslands, greater ecological carrying capacity for Mongol herds, and fewer international conflicts, allows for consolidation and expansion
Despite Mongol nomadic repeated attacks on southern sedentary china,……………values still…………….
Sedentary
Remained
Who were the Han dynasty (202BC-9AD)
Large and unified dynasty in China
Tried to fight back against the nomads, conquering regions that are now Mongolia.
Such fightbacks had huge ripple effects when hundreds of years later, nomadic groups began invading the Roman empire
The history of the Mongols is the history of…………
Conflict
Give two competing explanations for Mongol expansion
Older histories tend to emphasise the personality and military prowess of Genghis khan in explaining the power of the Mongol empire
Recent history tends to stress climate and long term political change
What was the effect of Genghis Khan dying
The Mongol empire, though still unified, became somewhat fragmented between the various decedents of Genghis Khan
The Mongol empire was not a…………empire that led to the decline of……………, but was actually much more…………………..and progressive
Barbaric
Civilisation
Cosmopolitan
Give a balanced overall view for the reasons behind Mongol success
Mongol success was based on horses, effective hierarchal military organisation and mobility.
The shift of climate certainly exerted an influence, amplifying their economic and military capacity – explaining the sudden Mongol explosion
Did not suffer the vulnerabilities of other armies as were more flexible and mobile
What is the sedentary bias
History is generally written by sedentary [people and thus incorporates a sedentary perspective
Thus Mongol nomads are tainted by barbarism
Nomads tended not to record history
What is an explanation proposed by some historians as the reason for the stability of the Mongol Empire
Mongols had an effective administration - employing people of various ethnicities (Arabs, Chinese, Tibetans and Persians)
This facilitated the exchange of ideas.
This is the secret to the stability of the Mongol empire climes some historians
Give two benefits of the Mongol empire (Globalisation)
Possible to travel from Paris to Beijing, with the Mongols encouraging free trade and ideas across their empire – myth of the silk road comes from this era. Christians and Muslims were able to migrate more freely
Mongols also sponsored the production of maps. Bridged the gaps between the two sides of the world.
Give a negative effect of the globalisation facilitated by the Mongol
Facilitated the spread of disease.
Illness that is most associated with the expansion of Mongols is the Bubonic Plague.
Originates in Tibet and western China.
Saw a 33% decline of the European population. Led to an extreme period of social and political instability,
Give two reasons for the break up of the Mongol Empire
Death of Genghis Khan (internal conflict)
Rise of territorialised ethnic identity among those who lived under Mongol rule
Explain the rise of territorialised ethnicities in relation to the break up of the Mongol Empire
(Most significant factor)
As people came together and encountered different cultures, one’s identity is further hardened. Solidified a sense of identity.
This is especially true in China. After the Mongol invasion, there was increasing turmoil in China – peasant rebellions and revolts.
Some acquired a certain ethnic overlay and a Mongol rallying cry.
Early Ming rulers established their own territorial state (Great Wall of China). Wanted to keep the nomads out, and symbolised where sedentary China began
Similar patterns witnessed in other nations at same time (Korea)
Explain what happened to the Mongols in Japan
1270 - Mongols conquered Korea.
Prepared to attack Japan, but a massive typhoon obliterated half of their ships. Tried again 4 years later only to encounter another storm.
Labelled as ‘divine wind’
Whilst Mongols didn’t conquer Japan, they consolidated Japanese identity.
Japan was able to develop outside of institutions and cosmopolitan network of the Mongol empire.
Was able to maintain indigenous rule.
What was superior: a nomadic or sedentary lifestyle
Nomadic life was far healthier
Sedentary - subject to conscription, live in hierarchal orders
For many, the nomadic life was seen as an attraction.
The Great Wall was also to keep the Huan Chinese in.
Can’t view this in strictly ethnic terms. Wall was meant to reinforce those living on the fringes to live strictly sedentary lifestyles.
