Fix the mistake: From Mongolia to the Qing Dynasty

The Mongol Empire and the Yuan Dynasty

In the 13th century, the Mongols, led by Genghis Khan, built the largest land empire in history, and the Yuan Dynasty was established in China.

Establishment of the Mongol Empire (from 1206)

  • In 1206, Temujin was enthroned as “Genghis Khan” and unified the Mongols
  • Rapid conquests: expanded its territory to Central Asia, Persia, and Eastern Europe
  • Around 1260, the empire divided into the Yuan (China), Chagatai, Ilkhanate, and Kipchak Khanates
The Yuan Dynasty and Kublai Khan
Kublai, Genghis Khan’s grandson, established the name “Yuan” in 1271 and ruled China. Capital: Dadu (present-day Beijing).
・Pax Mongolica (Mongol Peace): trade routes throughout Eurasia became stable
・Marco Polo visited Dadu and wrote “The Travels of Marco Polo”
・Expeditions to Japan (the Mongol invasions): both 1274 and 1281 failed (typhoons = “divine wind”)
・In 1368, the Yuan Dynasty fell in a peasant rebellion (the Red Turban Rebellion)
Key Points
  • Pax Mongolica → increased East-West trade and the spread of the plague (Black Death)
  • Mongol invasions of Japan (1274 and 1281) → effects on Japan
  • Marco Polo’s “The Travels of Marco Polo” → European interest in the East

Practice Questions

  1. Give the title (the khan title) of the person who unified the Mongols and laid the foundation of the empire.
  2. Give the name of the khan who established the Yuan Dynasty and the name of its capital.
  3. In one phrase, state the economic impact achieved by the Yuan under the Mongol Peace.

Answers

  1. Genghis Khan
  2. Kublai Khan, Dadu (present-day Beijing)
  3. Increased East-West trade throughout Eurasia (the Silk Road)

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