AIM: How did the Mongols create a great land empire?

1. What is a Mongol?

2. Please explain this quote in your own words.

" Big domestic mammals ...revolutionized human society by becoming our main means of land transport until the development of railroads in the 19th century. Before animal domestication, the sole means of transporting goods and people by land was on the backs of humans. Large mammals changed that: for the first time in human history, it became possible to move heavy goods in large quantities, as well as people, rapidly overland for long distances...The most direct contribution of animal domestication to wars of conquest was from Eurasia's horses, whose military role made them the Jeeps and Sherman tanks of ancient warfare on that continent." (Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs and Steel, p.91)

Notes:
The Mongol Conquests


The Mongols, a nomadic people from the steppe, conquer settled societies

across much of Asia.

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Section 2: The Mongol Conquests

Nomads of the Asian Steppe

Geography of the Steppe

• Steppe—dry grassland of Eurasia—provides home for nomads

• Two main expanses: Central Asia to eastern Europe, and Mongolia

• Steppe has little rain, dramatic seasonal temperature differences

The Nomadic Way of Life

• Steppe nomads are pastoralists—herd domesticated animals

• Way of life teaches Asian nomads to be skilled horse riders

• Nomads travel in clans—kin groups linked by common ancestor

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Continued Nomads of the Asian Steppe

Steppe Nomads and Settled Societies

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• Nomads and people living in settled communities often interact

• Some interactions peaceful, as in trade

• Sometimes nomads raid towns and cities to seize wealth, goods

• Strong state or empire could protect its lands from these invasions

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The Rise of the Mongols

Genghis Khan Unites the Mongols

• About 1200, Genghis Khan—“universal ruler”—unites Mongols

• In early 1200s, begins campaign of conquest

• By 1225, controls Central Asia

Genghis the Conqueror

• A brilliant organizer, strategist

• Uses brutality to terrorize enemies, force surrenders