The Mongol Empire

The Mongol Empire

Khanates

Mongol Khanates:

• Divisions of rule during the Mongol empire, where each state/khanate was ruled by a Khan.

4 Mongol Khanates (after the death of Genghis Khan):

⚔️ Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368)

• China’s first foreign-led dynasty (by the Mongols).
• Led by Kublai Khan.
• Marco Polo served under Kublai for 17 years during his travels to China.
• Chinese locals persecuted and would not be allowed to speak Mongolian.
• Kublai Khan united China after more than 300 years.
• Development of novels and drama during this empire.
• Movable type printing was made more efficient.
• Yuan Dynasty finally plagued with corruption and internal rebellion.
• 1367 Zhu Yuanzhang’s army captured Beijing.
• Ming Dynasty replaced Yuan.

• Genghis Khan’s grandson, Kublai Khan, set his sights on China - a more difficult opponent than other previously conquered lands.
• Kublai Khan spent 1235-1271 conquering China. ⚔️
• He assumed the title “Great Khan” in 1260, and 11 years later fully defeated the Chinese.
• Kublai Khan founds the Yuan Dynasty.

• The Yuan Dynasty was a non-native Chinese ruling force, unlike its predecessor the Song Dynasty and its successor the Ming Dynasty.💥
• Did not try to impose Mongol customs; instead practiced religious tolerance. 🙏🏼
• Increased cultural exchange and expanded trade with other countries - even European ones. 💰📈
• Chinese arts and literature flourished. 📜
• The Yuan Dynasty was part of the Mongol Empire which held control of almost all North, Central, East, and West Asian territories. 🗺

⚔️ Golden Horde (13th to 15th century CE)

• Established in Russia and took over Eastern Europe.
• Later replaced by the Turks.
• Made up of Mongols and Turks.
• Russian princes forced to submit as vassals under Batu Khan.
• Horde began to decline after the invasion of Timur in 1396.

⚔️ Chagatai Khanate (1220s to 17th century)

• Lasted (as a whole) from the 1220s to 17th century.
• Empire split during fragmentation of Mongol empire (after 1259).
• Timur’s empire took control of Western half in 1370.
• Chagatai land was mostly Turkic nomad lands.

⚔️ Ilkhanate (1256-1335 CE)

• Eased trade and commerce across Asia.
• Communication between Ilkhanate and Yuan Dynasty aided trade.
• Rulers of Ilkhanate later converted to Islam.
• The decline began with the death of Ilkan Ghazan in 1304.

What came after The Mongols?

In the Middle East

• ⚡ Watch: AP World History - 🎥 The Islamic Gunpowder Empires

• Following the Mongols, the next major power in the Middle East was the Ottoman Empire

In Russia

• ⚡ Watch: AP World History - 🎥 Expanding Empires in the Early Modern World

• The Kievan Rus were taken over by the Golden Horde and following, the next major power was the Russian Empire

In China

• ⚡ Watch: AP World History - 🎥 China in the Global Middle Ages

• Following the Yuan, the Ming Dynasty rose and maintained the dynastic cycle common throughout Chinese history