Middle Ages: The Mongol Empire (p. 71)

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• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

The Middle Ages 

Statement of Inquiry: The identity and development of past societies can be explored through the perspectives of the people who lived there.  

Key Concept: Time, place and space 

Related Concepts: Perspective, Identity 

Global Context: Fairness and development

Which empires expanded their influence during the Middle Ages? - The Mongol Empire

Goals of today:

And the end of today's class you...

Understand how the Mongol Empire became the largest empire in the world during the Middle Ages.

The Mongol Empire

Traditionally, the Mongols were nomadic herders, often in conflict with each other. 

Leader Genghis Khan united the Mongols in 1205 and expanded the Empire until it was the largest one in the world. This was partly because:

• Mongols were very good horsemen
• There were few rivals 

The expansion of the Empire led to new trade routes with Europe: the Silk Road. 

• trade of resources + exchange of cultures 

Genghis Khan

Mongol Horsemen

00:40

Which animal did the nomads NOT herd?

1. Yaks
2. Camels
3. Sheep
4. Buffalo

01:32

How did Genghis Khan unite the people of the felt-walled tents?

1. He scattered the nomads among his own soldiers
2. He promoted soldiers based on merit
3. He distributed spoils evenly among them
4. All of the above

02:00

Genghis Khan expanded his empire because...

1. he wanted to have more power
2. a shamanic Sky God called Tenggeri told him so
3. He wanted more land for the Mongols to live on
4. He needed to fight back strong enemies

02:34

Which area did the Mongols NOT expand their empire into?

1. Norhern India
2. Central Asia & Russia
3. Southern China
4. Islamic Territory as far as Baghdad

03:03

True or False:
"There was no freedom of religion in the Mongol Empire"

1. True
2. False

03:32

What is the name of the trade route on which resources such as gold brocade and gunpowder was traded?

1. The Bumpy Road
2. The Sick Goat
3. The Silk Road
4. The Milk Road

04:05

True or False:
"Succession to the Great Khan didn't automatically go to the oldest son".

1. True
2. False

04:38

After a civil war the Mongol Empire fragmented into 4 separate Empires. Which of the following does NOT belong to one of these?

1. The Kublai Kahn Yuan Dynasty in China
2. The Ilkhanate in Iran
3. The Mughal Empire in India
4. The Silver Horde in Eastern Europe

Read p. 71 'The Mongol Empire' and check out Figure 3.17

List the names of the areas/countries that the Mongol Empire invaded and conquered by the year 1294 CE.

Read p. 71 'The Mongol Empire'

What was the name of the most important leader of the Mongol Empire?

Read p. 71 'The Mongol Empire'

The Mongols ended the rule of a number of empires.

List two empires that were ended by the Mongols.

Read p. 71 'The Mongol Empire'

Describe the key word: nomadic herders

Read p. 71 'The Mongol Empire'

Give one reason why Genghis Khan was able to appeal to the mass population of Mongols.

Read p. 71 'The Mongol Empire'

Give two reasons on which the expansion of the Mongol Empire relied.

Read p. 71 'The Mongol Empire'

Give a reason why the conquests of the Mongol Empire were considered quite bloodthirsty.

Read p. 71 'The Mongol Empire'

Give one positive consequence of the Mongol expansions.

Read p. 71 'The Mongol Empire'

Give two examples that show why the Mongols were a peaceful and caring people.