Mongols and Aztecs: Empires from 1200-1500

I. Mongol Empire

II. Aztec Empire

IDs: Chinggis Khan, (c. 1155-1227), flower songs, tribute

Comparison of Empires

Mongol Empire Aztec Empire

I. Mongols

A. Huge empire by conquest

Largest land empire in world history

B. Origins on frontier

• Steppe nomads

• tribal division • tribal wars

ger (yurt)

C. Unity of tribes by personality & ideology

Chinggis (Genghis) Khan, 1155-1227

Temujin

Tengri

Transforms tribal division to Mongol identity

Mongol Empire, ca. 1280

D. Military Strength/Fearsome Reputation

ponies

bows

60 miles/

per day

E. Attacking more civilized/settled peoples

Kubilai Khan• Conquers

Southern Song dynasty in 1280

• founds Yuan dynasty

• Adoption of Chinese culture

• Difficulty of control (too few Mongols)

F. Tribute Systems

• Wealth, horses, grain, etc.

• Manpower• Taxed trade

G. Loosely structured, unstable conquest state

Using officials from different cultures (Persian or Central Asian officials used in China)

H.Unity Imposed on Central Afro-Eurasia: Peace” & Trade

Travel: Marco Polo & Ibn Battuta

II. Aztecs

Mesoamerican city-states

Toltec

Mixtec

Zapotec

Maya

A. Empire of Conquest

1. Conquest (1428-1530)

B. Aztec Frontier Origins

Semi-nomadic Chichimecs from northern desert

• Méxica• Aztlán

Establishment at Lake Texcoco

• Toltecs• Mercenaries• Tenochtitlán

Tenochtitlán

C. United by Religious Ideology: Huitzilpochtli (sun)

D. Military Strength/Fearsome Reputation

E. Attacking more civilized/settled peoples

F. Tribute Systems

G. Loosely structured, unstable state

• Instablity• Revolts

H. Alternative Religious Ideology: Quetzalcoatl

Nezahualcoyotl

King of Texcoco

Flower songs

Childbirth

Childhood