Kublai Khan established the Yuan Dynasty as Great Khan and ruled all of China. At the same time, extensive trade and exchange developed throughout Eurasia under Mongol rule in what is called the "Pax Mongolica (Mongol Peace)."
Kublai's Rule
- 1260: Became Great Khan. In 1271, he established the dynastic name "Yuan," and in 1279 he destroyed the Southern Song and unified all of China
- Capital: Established at Dadu (present-day Beijing)
- Employed Semu people (Muslim merchants, Persians, and others) as financial officials
- Conquests of the Southern Song, invasions of Japan (1274 and 1281, the Mongol invasions), and expeditions to Southeast Asia → all faced difficulties and failed
Pax Mongolica and Trade
- Security of overland routes under Mongol rule → increased Silk Road trade
- Yam (relay system): A network of relay stations and transportation routes established throughout the Mongol Empire
- Marco Polo (a Venetian merchant) visited the Yuan Dynasty (1271〜1295) → The Travels of Marco Polo
- Ibn Battuta (from Morocco) also visited the Yuan Dynasty → connection with the Islamic world
Example ①
Explain the condition referred to as the "Pax Mongolica."
Answer: The "Pax Mongolica (Mongol Peace)" refers to the condition in the 13th and 14th centuries in which Mongol control over much of Eurasia made the previously dangerous grassland and desert routes safer, allowing merchants, diplomatic envoys, and religious figures from East and West to travel relatively freely. However, many cities were destroyed during the conquests, so "peace" refers to the period after Mongol rule had been established.
Explain the condition referred to as the "Pax Mongolica."
Answer: The "Pax Mongolica (Mongol Peace)" refers to the condition in the 13th and 14th centuries in which Mongol control over much of Eurasia made the previously dangerous grassland and desert routes safer, allowing merchants, diplomatic envoys, and religious figures from East and West to travel relatively freely. However, many cities were destroyed during the conquests, so "peace" refers to the period after Mongol rule had been established.
Key Points
- Kublai: founded the Yuan Dynasty in 1271 and unified China by destroying the Southern Song in 1279
- Mongol invasions of Japan (1274 and 1281): both expeditions failed
- Yam (relay system): enabled the rapid movement of information, personnel, and supplies throughout the empire
- Marco Polo's The Travels of Marco Polo → influenced Europe's understanding of Asia
Practice Questions
- State the year Kublai founded the Yuan Dynasty and the year he destroyed the Southern Song.
- Explain the purpose and operation of the Yuan yam relay system.
- Name the book Marco Polo wrote after visiting the Yuan Dynasty and state its historical impact.
Answers and Explanations
- Answer: Foundation: 1271; destruction of the Southern Song: 1279
Explanation: By destroying the Southern Song, the Mongols ruled all of China for the first time. - Answer: Relay stations (yam) were established at regular intervals throughout the empire. By providing horses, food, and lodging, they formed a transportation network that allowed official documents, envoys, and merchants to travel quickly.
Explanation: This was the material foundation of the Pax Mongolica. - Answer: The Travels of Marco Polo (The Description of the World). It introduced Europeans to the wealth of China, India, and Southeast Asia and influenced the later Age of Exploration (Columbus and others).
Explanation: Columbus is said to have set sail carrying The Travels of Marco Polo.