The Mongol and Ming Empires

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The Mongol and Ming Empires
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Mongols

• Nomadic people who lived in the steppes of
  Central Asia
• Under Genghis Khan, cast empire stretched from
  the Pacific ocean to Eastern Europe

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Genghis Khan

• World Emperor
• Original Name Temujin
• Strict Military discipline
• Highly trained armies
• Best horsemen in the world
• Known for fierceness
• Massacred entire cities, but also could be very
  generous
• Conquered Asian steppe lands with ease

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Mongolian Conquests

• Used cannons and other new weapons to attack
  walled cities. Strategies spread to Europe.
• Mongols dominated much of Asia.

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Mongol Peace

• 1200-1300s Pax Mongolica
• Mongols controlled Silk Road
• What was the Silk Road?
• Cultural Exchange increased
• Gunpowder and windmills spread to Europe

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China under Mongol Rule

• Kublai Khan, Ghengis grandson, overthrew the
  Song Empire
• Wanted to prevent being absorbed into Chinese
  tradition
• Mongols could serve in the military
• Highest government jobs for Mongols
• Named his rule the Yuan Dynasty

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Marco Polo

• Italian Merchant who visited China during the
  Yuan Dynasty
• Left a vivid account of the wealth and splendor
  of China.
• His report sparked European interests in riches
  of Asia.

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Ming Dynasty

• Yuan Dynasty declined after Kublai Khans death
• Most Chinese saw the Mongols as barbarians
• Ming rulers sought to reassert greatness in China
  after years of foreign rule

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Ming reasserting Greatness

• Revived Confucian learning
• Repaired canal system
• Developed new technologies
• Revival of arts and literature

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Zheng He

• First Chinese voyager
• Goal was to promote trade
• Explored Southeast Asia and India
• Voyages showed local rulers power of the Chinese

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Video You cant but Genghis Khan

• What does the video tell you about the Mongols?