The Migration of the Mongols

Kathryn Casey, Cameron Morton,

Lindsey Robirds

1200-1500 CEThe Middle East, Russia, China and

Korea

The Mongols

The Mongol Empire was one of the Earth’s largest continuous empires, and spanned over 6,000 miles. It emerged from tribes of Mongols

and Turks that were united under the rule of Ghengis Khan. The infamous ruler rapidly

spread the Mongol Empire in every direction by invading many parts of Europe and Asia. The Mongol people constantly migrated when the

empire took over areas, and people previously occupying the Mongols’ conquests were taken as prisoners, slaves, or warriors. Descendants

of Ghengis Khan ruled the empire until it fragmented in1260. It was split into four parts:

the Golden Horde Khanate, the Chagatai khanate, the Ilkhanate, and the Yuan dynasty.

The Chinese overthrew the Yuan dynasty in 1368, and the Mongol Empire collapsed.

Pictures

The Mongols extended their hegemony throughout Europe and Asia from the 13th through the 16th century. This also includes the frequently used trade routes of the Maritime Trade System.

Expansion of the Mongol Empire during the 13th century

(Wait for animation)Golden Horde

Chagatai Khanate

Ilkhanate

Yuan Dynasty

Pictures

The Empires according to the leaders who conquered it

Eight of the fifteen Great Khagans of the Mongolian Empire

Pictures

Mongolian Empire migrations around the Eurasian continent. This shows the specific routes of each migration over the period of time that the Mongols ruled this land.

(Ignore key)

Pictures

Current-day Mongolia The Mongolian Empire circa 1300

Chronology• 1206 Tumujin (the founder, ruler, and emperor of the Mongol Empire) receives the title of Genghis

Khan (meaning Universal Ruler) after dominating Mongolia.

• 1207 Mongols attack Western Xia, which included northwest China and some areas of Tibet.

• 1210 Western Xia ruler surrenders to Genghis Khan. The Uyghur Turks also surrender peacefully to the Mongols and become important administrators within the empire. The classic Mongolian script was created in this year.

• 1211 Genghis Khan led his army against the Jin Dynasty (northern China) through the Gobi desert.

• 1218 Mongols capture Tarim Basin (400,000 km2 area located in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in far west China) Zhetysu (part of Russian Turkestan) this allows them to occupy Kashgar which is the oasis city in the Tarim Basin. Mongol envoys executed by the Kwarezmian Shah Muhammad which began the first motion for the Mongols to move westward.

• 1219 The Mongols cross the Jaxartes River in central Asia and begin to invade Transoxiana (a portion of central Asia that corresponds with modern0day Tajikistan, southwest Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan)

• 1221 At the same time the Mongols attacked central Asia and destroyed he Kwarezmid Empire in the Middle East

• 1223 The Mongols are victorious after the Battle of the Kalka River which was the Mongols first encounter with the East Slavic warriors.

• 1227 Genghis Khan dies. Mongol leaders journey back to Mongolia for kuriltai (a meeting about the vacant Kahn position). At this time the Mongolian empire covers 26 million km2 which is roughly four times the size of the Macedonian or Roman empires.

• 1229 The third son of Genghis Khan, Ogedei Khan, is elected as the Great Khan.

• 1232 Mongolians attack Kaifeng. During attack, missile-rockets are used for the very first time in world history by the Jurcheds.

Chronology• 1234 The Mongolians conquer the Jin dynasty (occupied by the Jurcheds)

• 1236 Mongolians attack and invade Korea. The Mongols begin their invasion of Europe.

• 1237 Beginning of the Mongolian-Song dynasty (south of the Yangtze River).

• 1239 Mongols invade Chormaqan, Armenia, and Georgia.

• 1240 Mongols attack Kiev

• 1241 under the ruling of Batu Khan, Mongols invade Bulgaria and force them to pay annual tribute as vassals

• 1243 The western Mongolian army force Seljuks of Anatolia to become a part of the Mongolian empire. The Empire of Trebizond and the Lesser Armenians surrender to Mongolia.

• 1246 The eldest son of Ogedei Khan, Guyuk Khan, is elected as Great Khan.

• 1247 The first ever registration of citizens in the Mongolian Empire is taken.

• 1248 Great Khan Guyuk Khan dies

• 1251 The line of Khans from the Ogedei and the Chagatai families is destroyed with the election of the new khan, Mongke who is the eldest son from the line of Tolui.

• 1253 Mongol gain control of Yunnan.

• 1257 The Mongols attempt their first invasion of Dai Viet (current day Vietnam) they

Chronology• Mongol Empire controls all of Azerbaijan, Mesopotamia, Iran, and parts of Armenia

• 1274 First Mongol attempt to invade Japan it was unsuccessful. After the attack the decentralized local leaders became more unified while planning and preparing for the inevitable second attack of the Mongols

• 1279 Mongols invade China and unify the fragmented states and preserved the features of the government, also added to the government (tax farming, Western Asian Muslims as officials, etc.)

• 1281 Mongols attack Japan again but are defeated for a second time, this time by a combination of an unexpected typhoon and advanced Japanese defensive preparations.

• 1300 Under Mongol rule China flourishes. Trade recovered, ports prospered, and merchants became more popular.

• 1333 Bubonic plague hits Mongolia

• 1368 Mongolian Empire of Genghis Khan and his line ended with the Ming dynasty

• 1388 Chinese invade the capitol of the Mongolian empire (Karakorum)

• 1392 End of the Mongolian occupation of Korea

• 1405 Timur (a fourteenth-century conqueror of central, western, and South Asia, also founder of the Timurid Empre and Timurid Dynasty (1370–1405) loses control over the Mongolian Empire.

• 1466 The Great Horde (The Slavic take on the Mongolian Khanate) dominates Mongolia

• 1481 Mongols are finally defeated by the Russians

• 1502 The Great Horde dissolves. Borjigin emperors rule Mongolia until 1635

Regional ImpactMiddle East

Politics Intellectual

The group of Mongols was led by Ganges Khan and he began to overtake the Middle East in 1220 with the capture of the cities Samarkand and Bukhara. The attack on Baghdad was the most important city that was taken. All around the Middle East the attack of the Mongols was devastating, and most of the Middle East never recovered to its former power.  

The Mongols destroyed much of the intellectual achievements that had been made in the Middle East before the invasion, the Mongols destroyed libraries, and killed scholars and scientists. The Mongols destroyed hundreds of years of work left behind by Muslim scholars.

Religion Art and Architecture

Even through the destruction, Islam did not disappear. Mongols began to accept and covert to Islam as they moved into the Middle East. At the beginning of the fourteenth century Islam was declared the official religion of the state by the Ghazan Khan Mahmud. However, because of the culture difference many Muslims in the Middle East did not agree with the Mongols calling themselves Muslim.

As some Mongols began to convert to Islam, they built mosques, so Islamic architecture began to be seen mixed with the Mongols.

Technology Economy

The Mongol invasion of the Middle East was important because in this invasion, the Mongols sacked and completely destroyed the city of Baghdad, which had been a technological center for around 500 years. After the city was destroyed the Middle East was never able to recover.

The vital water irrigation networks were destroyed by the Mongols and this ruined the agricultural practices that were the backbone of society. The economy was destroyed when the Mongols destroyed this area.

Society

The society suffered after the loss of many people with the destruction of cities, society was not the same. Iraq was extremely depopulated after the Mongol invasion. Society changed a great deal with the agriculture ruined, and the major city of Baghdad destroyed.

Regional ImpactRussia

Politics Society

The Kieven Rus’ had princes before the Mongol attack and in 1236 the first Mongols arrived and began to take over Russia. From there the Mongols spread throughout what is now Russia and destroyed all except the cities of Novgorod and Pskow. The invaders built their own capital called Sarai and here the Golden Horde was formed. This was where the Mongol and Khan ruled over Russia from. All of the russian states were under control of the Mongol ruler. However, Russian princes acted as tax collectors. Mongol leaders of the Golden Horde ruled parts part of Russia up until 1480

When the Mongols first invaded they killed many people. However, once their power was established the Mongols basically left the average people and farmers alone, they had to pay tribute but other than that the Mongol leaders did not disturb the society of most people living in Russia. The Mongols very sparsely inhabited most of Russia and the integration of the two cultures never happened.

Religion Art and Architecture

The Mongols were mostly religiously tolerant, the Khan was muslin, and Islam was the religion of most Mongols. However Christianity was accepted by the Mongols and the Khan even let a Christian bishopric be built in the Mongolian capital of Kievan Rus. 

When the Mongols stormed Kiev in around 1238 the only major building not destroyed was the Cathedral St. Sophia. This Cathedral is still around today and is one of the most important architectural pieces in all of Russia.

Technology Economy

The Mongols possessed the latest in warfare technologies. Postal road network, census, fiscal system, and military organization also changed during the Mongol rule.

A tribute had to be paid to the Golden Horde and other than that a mainly agricultural lifestyle was maintained, trade was also part of the economy. The tribute was important because it gave the Mongols plentiful revenue. However the tribute caused the economy to suffer, the Mongols tried to introduce paper money, but it did not work.

Intellectual

The Mongol language spread into Russian language and some of them are still in the language today. Western intellect also entered Russia.

Regional ImpactChina

Politics Intellectual

The Mongols first conquered northern china in the 1230s and after that a very difficult tax farming system was put into place, with all of the revenue flowing to the Mongols. The Mongol capital of Beijing was established and it was a fusion of Chinese and Mongolian culture, however the Mongol Khan was in charge. Khubilai Khan was an important leader in this time because in infused the two cultures. The Mongol ruling of China was extremely important politically, because it unified China as a whole, whereas it had been slit up into three parts.

Khubilai Khan brought men form he middle east to Beijing to create an observatory. The Chinese also began to publish their knowledge of herbs and medicines during this period. A Mongolian and Chinese language also came about; this is today known as mandarin.

Religion Art and Architecture

During this time the Mongol’s were introduced to Buddhism by Buddhist monks called Lamas. Buddhism became increasing popular with the Mongols around the time of 1200s to 1300s.

During this period the Mongols began to adopt some Chinese architecture and art. Khubilai Khan even used Chinese styled walls when building in his capital.

Technology Economy

New medicines came about during this time, as well as cotton growing, and the production of cotton.

Mongols demanded tax collection, and the economy was agricultural as well as based off of trade on the Silk Road, trade out of China was mostly silk. Farmers farmed Mullberry trees, as well as cotton. Because of harsh tax collections, farmers suffered.Society

The Mongols wanted to create a mix of the Chinese and Mongol cultures, somewhat like the mixes of Mongol culture in the Middle East and Russia. In society the Mongols were the highest up on the social ladder, followed by central Asians, middle easterners, the northern Chinese, and lastly, the southern Chinese. 

Regional ImpactKorea

Politics Intellectual

Korea was invaded around 1270 by the Mongols. There was a power struggle between the two and eventually Korea surrendered. In 1392, Korea signed a treaty to keep their sovereign power but fell subject to Mongolian rule.

Korea developed many military tactics during the Mongolian invasions.

Religion Art and Architecture

Religion was not a part of the Mongolian conquest of Korea. Society and authorities were more focused on the invasion and struggles of Korea.

Small fortresses were often built along the coast to prevent invasions. Korean architecture of this time was usually built with strong fortification. Art was rare during the time of battle.

Technology Economy

The world’s first movable type, as well as wooden blocks, were created by Korea during this time. They were highly skilled in script and recording important documents.

Due to the six major campaigns of Mongolian invasions, Korea became an ally of the empire for the next 80 years. Society

After Korea surrendered, the Mongols demanded their people now serve for them. The Mongol Empire collected one million soldiers, in addition to slaves, children, and craftsmen. They often took the people of their conquests and forced them into slavery or the army. Because of the violent way Mongols conquered, many Koreans died by resisting their power or in battle as a part of the Mongolian army.

Change Over Time• The founder of the Mongol Empire was

Tumujin. He received the first formal title of Genghis Khan which means Universal ruler after he dominated Mongolia and took control in 1206.

• Genghis Khan uses his title to exert his control over his army allowing them to be fearful and very successful. One of the first major triumphs was over Western Xia a mere 4 years after the first Genghis Khan was named.

• However not only did this strong title prove successful on the battlefield, it also showed control over the intellectual side of the Mongolian Empire when the first classical Mongolian script was created in 1210.

• Genghis Khan dies 17 years later and a change in rulers is imminent. The Mongol leaders hold a meeting about who should succeed their first Khan. It is decided that the Third son of Genghis Khan should rule as Great Khan.

• During the time of Genghis Khan’s death his empire was about the size of four roman empires put together which is much larger than the original Mongolian empire.

•During the time of Genghis Khan’s death his empire was about the size of four roman empires put together which is much larger than the original Mongolian empire.

•The Mongols continue to attack and take over countries and expand their empire under the Khan rule.

•However things begin to dissolve when the line of Genghis Khan ends with the Ming dynasty in 1368.

•Twenty years late the Mongolian capital of Karakorum is ransacked by the Chinese which leads to the end of Mongolian occupation of Korea in 1392.

•The Great Horde is in control in 1466 but the Mongols are defeated in 1481 by the Russians.

•The Great Horde dissolves completely 21 years late and Borjigin emperors rule Mongolia until 1635.

ComparisonsAlthough the Mongols invaded and took over three completely different regions, there are some similarities to the

Mongol rule in Russia, China, Korea and the Middle East. There are also many differences. One of the largest

similarities was that they demanded a tax collection wherever they ruled and local princes were charged with

collecting the taxes and giving it to the Mongol ruler. Another similarity is that a Khan ruled over the area that

was taken over. In China the Khan ruled from the capital Beijing and in Russia the Khan ruled from the Golden

Horde capital. The Mongol rule of Russia and China are the most similar in that Mongols took up permanent

residence in the area and they created a capital. The invasion of Russia and the Middle East are similar in that

the Mongols destroyed important cities, such as Baghdad and Kiev. The Middle East suffered the most from the

invasion, in that the Mongols destroyed the irrigation networks and agriculture suffered immensely in this region

and is still recovering today. Korea also suffered, with losses in population. The Mongol invasion of the Middle

East and China are similar in that in both of these regions the Mongols adopted the religion. In the Middle East

the Mongols adopted Islam, and in China they adopted Buddhism. In Korea and Russia the religion was not

adopted by the Mongols. Overall the Mongol invasions led to destruction and tax collections for all of the regions.

All of the invaded regions felt the affects of the Mongols.

Effects on Today’s World

The Mongol Empire was one the largest empires in history. It was a well-organized reign that was devoted to military and conquest.

The Mongols invaded and conquered by mass destruction, famine, and extermination.

The Mongol Empire developed a writing system similar to the Uighur script. This is often still used in Central Mongolia. The language Chagatai, named after Ghengis Khan’s son, is spoken by Russians and Turks today.

In the 13th century under the rule of Kublai Khan, Mongols began using paper money. This was most common in the territory of China. It was some of the first uses of credit and paper money.

They used infected bodies from the Bubonic plague as biological weapons. The Mongols had very many impressive tactics in order to conquer various areas. When invading a city, those who surrendered would become slaves. People who resisted were immediately killed. This wiped out many Russian and Asian cities.

The Mongol Empire discovered many military techniques that have influenced today’s armies. They also originated many aspects our current economies, including tax systems, different ways of credit, and ways to control the influx of conquests and people.

The Black Death may have reached the Mongol Empire through trade routes. It wiped out much of the empire’s population; however, not as much as Europe’s.

Migration of MongolsKathryn Casey

Maps and Pictures

Effect on Today’s WorldLindsey Robirds

Chronology

Change Over TimeCameron Morton

PIRATES

Comparison

Bibliographyhttp://www.freewebs.com/tavrvs/mongolwarfare.htm

http://www.mongolia-attractions.com/ancient_mongolia.html

http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Nomadic_empire