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Genghis Khan Conquest of Asia Outline
Mongolian conquest Intro The Mongolian conquest of Asia was long and tumultuous, powered by a man who rose from poverty and slavery. Conquest Some question why the Mongols took over the countries of Asia. Some point it to three causes such as: ecology, trade disruptions, and the leader, Genghis Khan. Over the time period of one hundred years, the annual rainfall kept decreasing for the Mongolians. This meant a possible danger for the Mongolian herding animals, and nomadic lifestyle. This is one possible reason of why the Mongolians invaded other countries A drop in trading also may have had an impact on the reasons for invasion. As the Mongol’s relied on trading goods for a large part of their economy, any trading cuts could have put their economy at risk. Seeing as they had no choice, they sought out raids, attacks, and eventually evading other countries. Obviously, the most profound reason centers around Genghis Khan. It has been told that one of the gods he believed in, told him to put the world under one rule. Genghis Khan led three main invasions. The first invasion was against the Tanguts. In 1205 Genghis Khan launched the first of several campaigns against the Xi Xia. The Mongols started by attacking bordering settlements. He then sacked Waluhai, a garrison along the Huang River. His campaign became larger when he sought submission from the Tanguts. He headed for the Xi Xia Dynasty in the capital, Zhongxing. The dynasty was a well fortified city with a very large army. The large force, containing 150,000 men, outnumbered the Mongol’s army by nearly twice the size. The Xia Emperor Li Anquan offered a truce with Genghis Khan. His offer was one of his daughters, and a large number of camels. However, in 1218, the emperor would not willingly send hostages and troops to Genghis. Khan’s response was to invade the Xi Xia dynasty once more. The emperor fled the city, and left his son to deal with situation at hand. His third and final campaign against the Xia was probably his greatest. When Genghis Khan demanded more troops for a separate campaign, the vassal emperor would not submit. While Genghis was fighting another group, the Xi Xia and Jin Dynasties formed an alliance against the Mongolian Empire. Khan proceeded to give his army a rest and recruit more troops. He was able to obtain an enormous fighting force of 180,000 troops. Genghis’s army swiftly took over the capital of the Xi Xia dynasty. Just before the great Khan died of unknown causes, the Tanguts surrendered. The Mongols pillaged and destroyed the rest of the city, and killed almost all of the citizens. The remaining citizens joined the Mongol’s army. . His next conquest was to be led against the Jin Dynasty. This dynasty had also become entrapped in a trade dispute with Mongolia. It also demanded submission from the people of Mongolia. This caused Khan to expand his army and lead an attack in 1211. As he began to attack, civilians from towns would seek refuge in other towns. This would make it difficult for them to get a hearty supply of food. So the guards started by killing the peasants. However, this would lead to revolts in the towns of overpopulation. Once he reached the capital, Zhongdu, the emperor of the Jin dynasty submitted. He promised large amounts of gold, silver, silk and other valuables. But then he moved the capital further south. Genghis Khan and his army, went on to destroy Zhongdu, and pillaged any village that they came across. He was even able to get Jin defectors to add to his large army. In 1215, Genghis Khan was able to claim this territory, which is now modern day Beijing. Effect Genghis Khan passed his legacy all the way down to his grandson, Kublai Khan. Kublai Khan established the Yuan Dynasty after defeating the Song Rulers of China. Legacy in Law and War He was a strong, smart, and fair ruler. He allowed the lowest of slaves to rise up in the ranks of the military, if he showed courage and bravery. He divided loot from the war evenly among his army, and trusted people above his own family. He did not permit the kidnapping of any women or dispute over capture of animals. He also outlawed hunting, except during the winter, to preserve food in case his empire was struggling. His most fascinating trait was that he offered free religion. Despite his worship of the sky, killing of religious leaders was forbidden by Khan.