Learning Goal 3: Describe the changes that occurred in

Russia, China, and the Islamic world because of the Mongol invasions and explain

why this was a historical turning point in history.

(1C,4K)

Mongol Invasions

Causes of Mongol InvasionsCausesPossible environmental factors caused less

and shorter grass on the steppe forcing Mongols to trade and raid settled societies

Leader Genghis Khan (formally Temujin) unifies MongolsSoldiers mobility and skillful tactics as

warriors led to huge conquests

Effects of Mongol InvasionsUnified a territory across Eurasia and

established a Pax Mongolian where Silk Road trade reached it height

1215 took Beijing, making it the first time China was ruled by a foreign power, ended the civil service exams, but staffed the bureaucracy

Obliterated the Muslim heartlands and converted to Islam-end of the Muslim caliphate

More Effects…Made Russia a vassal state where tribute was

collected by Russian bureaucrats leading the expansion of serfdom

Facilitate Europeans learning about the advances of the Asians especially the Chinese, yet the Mongols made no advances themselves and stifled cultural growth

Allowed for religious toleration and did not impose Mongol culture, yet culture and idea spread across the vast Mongol territory

India stayed protected from Mongol invasions until the late 4th century

What were the changes resulting from the Mongol invasions of Russia, China, and the Islamic world?

Mongol invasions of RussiaMongol invasions of ChinaMongol invasion of Islamic world

Mongol invasions of Russia

• Mongols control Russia• Local leaders still kept

• Peasants paid heavy taxes• Collected by Russia

bureaucrats who took their cut

• Russia became a vassal state facilitating the expansion of serfdom and a lack of political unity

• Lacking unity and cultural development, Russia remained backward at the same time Europe was growing culturally

Mongol invasions of China• 1215 took Beijing• 1279 overthrew the Song

Dynasty• First time China ruled by a

foreign power• Civil service exams were

ended• Bureaucracy staffed by

foreigners• Chinese had different laws

and separated from Mongols• Able to maintain cultural

identity• Beijing was connected to

Vienna via horse relay stations

• Mongols not directly involved in trade• Merchants welcomed into

court = trade flourishes

Mongol invasion of Islamic world• 1258 Abbasid Caliphate was defeated• End of Muslim political unity

• Local bureaucrats were employed • Rulers can stay in power as long as they paid

taxes• Many Mongols converted to Islam by 1295 and

often Mongol culture mixed with local cultures• Mongols first and only defeat was at the hands

of the Mamluks in 1260 in Egypt• Muslim Dehli Sultanate in Northern India held

off the initial Mongol invasions, but was later invaded in 1398 by Mongol warlord Timur who ruled for a short time

Writing AssignmentWhat were the changes resulting from the

Mongol invasions of Russia, China, and the Islamic world?