Transcript Yuan Dynasty Mongol Empire

Yuan Dynasty
Mongol Empire
1279-1368
1st Foreign Dynasty
Genghis Khan
means “Strong Ruler”
•First leader of the Mongols, came to power in 1206 in
northern China.
•Conquered China
The Mongols
•The Mongols lived in tribes north of China in Mongolia.
•The Mongols were expert horse-riders, learning to ride as
young as 4 years old.
•In 1206 a young tribesman named Temujin was elected
Genghis Kahn.
•codified Mongol laws (The “Great Yasa”)
•Mongols decimated populations in
Western Asia and China
Mongol Military
• The Mongol warriors became known for their
cruelty and use of terror.
• The Mongol territory eventually expanded to
become the world’s largest empire.
Genghis dies, but The Empire Grows
• Genghis fell from his horse while hunting, and died of
internal injuries.
• Genghis Khan made the Mongol's the greatest military
force ever known.
• His empire was divided among his four sons; but it would
be his grandson that will be a wise and remembered ruler:
Kublai Khan
•Grandson of Genghis Khan
•Set up the Yuan Dynasty
•Ruled most of China
Kublai Khan
• Became the new ruler in 1260.
• Moved the capital to northern China to Khanbaliq
which is today Beijing.
• Became China’s Emperor, starting the Yuan
Dynasty. Yuan means “Beginning.”
• Considered one of the “Golden Ages” of China,
perhaps the height of wealth and power.
Mongols as Rulers
•Mongols had planned to keep their own culture
However, over time they began to adopt the more developed
Chinese culture.
• The Mongols were culturally very different from the Chinese.
This made ruling them very difficult.
• The Mongols and the Chinese spoke different languages, had
a different form of dress and many different customs. These
background differences proved impossible to overcome.
• Despite attempting to rule in a Chinese custom, Mongols and
other foreigners were given all top government positions.
Mongols as Rulers
• The Mongols were tolerant of different
religions and allowed Christians, Muslims,
and Hindus to practice their faiths.
• It was during the Kublai Khan’s rule, that a
European will be part of the Royal Court:
Marco Polo
•Went to China along the Silk Road
• Kublai Khan made him part of his
Royal Court for 16 years.
• Polo learned much about Chinese civilization.
• He returned to Europe and wrote a book
about his travels
Trade and Conquest
• Trade increased with Europe:
– Silver, spices, carpets and cotton were imported from
Europe and other parts of Asia
– Tea, silk, porcelain, steel, gunpowder were exported.
Conquest:
The areas of Vietnam and northern Korea were
conquered.
Thousands of Koreans are made to build warships to
launch attacks against Japan.