Asian steppe
A steppe is a vast belt of dry grassland. The Asian Steppe stretched across Eurasia. This served as a trade route between east and west . Nomadic people live here.
Geography:
There were two main expansions:
Fun Fact: Western climate is more mild and has more rain than eastern.
Geography:
There were two main expansions:
- western: central Asia to eastern Europe
- eastern: modern day Mongolia
Fun Fact: Western climate is more mild and has more rain than eastern.
The nomadic way of life
Nomadic People were pastoralists. A pastoralist is a person who herds domesticated animals. They don't wander, but they're constantly moving along a familiar seasonal pattern. They search for good pasture to feed their herds and did not have permanent claim to land. They lived on horseback and they followed their herds over the steppe. They traveled in kinship groups called clans. Nomads would exchange horses for grain, metal, cloth, and tea. Occasionally, Nomads would conquer weak empires.
Rise of the Mongols
Genghis Khan united the Mongols. Genghis Khan: was the "universal ruler" of the Mongol clans. He lead for 25 years. He had ambitions to take over the Islamic Region.
Genghis the conqueror:
Genghis the conqueror:
- Brilliant organizer: He organized his military into brigades, companies, and squads.
- Gifted strategist: He often used tricks to confuse the enemy.
- Used cruelty as a weapon: He believed in terrifying the enemy until they surrendered.
Mongol Empire
The Khanates:
After Genghis died, the conquest was continued.
The Mongol's conquered region was divided into 4 regions, or Khanates.
After Genghis died, the conquest was continued.
The Mongol's conquered region was divided into 4 regions, or Khanates.
- Great Khanate (Mongolia and China)
- Chagatai Khanate (Central Asia)
- Ilkhan Khanate (Persia)
- Khanate of the Golden Horde (Russia)
Mongols as rulers
Some areas never recovered from the time of Mongol rule.
The Mongols didn't oppose the beliefs of their conquered, they tolerated them. Some Mongol rulers adopted the beliefs of those they conquered.
- Populations were wiped out.
- Irrigation systems destroyed.
The Mongols didn't oppose the beliefs of their conquered, they tolerated them. Some Mongol rulers adopted the beliefs of those they conquered.
Mongol Peace
Pax Mongolica: Mongol peace. During this time, stability, law, and order were imposed, and trade increased. As trade increased, the Bubonic Plague traveled along the trade routes, infecting and destroying populations.