Mongol and Ming Empires - Forest Lake Area High School

Mongol and Ming Empires

Mr. Koch World History A Forest Lake High School

Mongols (early 1200s)

• Nomadic group – largely lived on horseback

• Clans united by strong, harsh leader – Genghis Khan (“World Emperor”) – led extremely skilled, fierce army – Spread empire across northern Asia to eastern Europe – Adopted use of cannons to attack walled cities in China

Mongols • Often allowed considerable freedom to conquered if paid tribute • Established stability, peace, and order during rule (1200s & 1300s) • “Pax Mongolica”

Mongols • Genghis’ grandson – Kublai Khan – finally conquered China in 1279 – Became known as Yuan Dynasty – Tried to avoid assimilation – Only Mongols hold top positions or serve in military

Ming Dynasty • In era after Kublai Khan’s death, peasant leader organizes rebellion – Many Chinese hated Mongol rule • Viewed as “barbarians”

• Tried to revive ways of previous Chinese empires – Confucianism, civil service exams, economy, arts

Ming Dynasty • 1405 -1433 Zheng He travels around the world with large fleet – After his death, China “turns inward” and largely ends exploratory voyages