HISTORY 114
THE MONGOLS
PROFESSOR S. SWART
Class Notes from this section
THE MONGOLS
13th century Mongols were stereotypically seen as barbaric plunderers intent merely to maim, slaughter
and destroy.
Focus on history as something that cannot be contained per continent. They are all interconnected.
The records of the Mongols are based on Persian, Chinese and Russian accounts describing the speed
and ruthlessness in which they carved out the largest contiguous land empire in world history. This
perception has shaped both Asian and Western images of the Mongols and of their earliest leader,
Genghis Khan (Chingis Khan/ Jenghiz Khan) 1162-1227.
Mongols offered Nomadic Hospitality: you are welcomed because they don’t know when they might
also need your help in return one day.
Historical figures are complicated. You can’t just look for heroes. They are complicated by their context.
The initial Mongolian stories were told by their enemies as the Mongols were illiterate.
THE GOLDEN HORDE
The Golden Horde was the name given to the Mongol Army. Genghis Khan is what gives it its identity.
GENGHIS KHAN (CHINGIS KHAN/ JENGHIZ KHAN)
Raised by a single mother from a poor background and a small tribe. In he was able to unite the
infighting Mongols. He was given the title “Khan of Khan’s”. in 5 years, he had conquered the known
world. He had carved out the largest land empire in 80 years.
HOW DID THEY ESTABLISH THE LARGEST CONTIGUOUS LAND EMPIRE?
The Mongol territory stretched from Korea to Georgia, Armenia and Hungary. The Mongols were
united in a time where disunity was prominent throughout Asia. China was disunited, fragmented and
weak. Central Asia was fragmented into khanates and city states. The Middle East, Abbasid dynasty, was
also declining. Southern Russia was a series of city states. There was no central government controlling
the areas.This created a power vacuum. There was a lack of strong leaders and unity in the area and the
Mongols took hold of this opportunity which was just a case of good luck. The Mongols were a small
population of about 200 000. (China had 1 million and yet were conquered).
An important aspect to their success was their mobility. The Mongols were great horsemen, a powerful
military force on horseback, and this formed part of their identity. They incorporated the use of the
stirrup which allowed them to be more flexible, as well as freeing up their hands. This allowed for the
introduction of new bow technology and they became excellent archers. The Mongols were able to
initiate full scale attacks and invasions and hit and run raids. If they met a formidable enemy, they were
able to retreat quickly.
THE MONGOLS
PROFESSOR S. SWART
Class Notes from this section
THE MONGOLS
13th century Mongols were stereotypically seen as barbaric plunderers intent merely to maim, slaughter
and destroy.
Focus on history as something that cannot be contained per continent. They are all interconnected.
The records of the Mongols are based on Persian, Chinese and Russian accounts describing the speed
and ruthlessness in which they carved out the largest contiguous land empire in world history. This
perception has shaped both Asian and Western images of the Mongols and of their earliest leader,
Genghis Khan (Chingis Khan/ Jenghiz Khan) 1162-1227.
Mongols offered Nomadic Hospitality: you are welcomed because they don’t know when they might
also need your help in return one day.
Historical figures are complicated. You can’t just look for heroes. They are complicated by their context.
The initial Mongolian stories were told by their enemies as the Mongols were illiterate.
THE GOLDEN HORDE
The Golden Horde was the name given to the Mongol Army. Genghis Khan is what gives it its identity.
GENGHIS KHAN (CHINGIS KHAN/ JENGHIZ KHAN)
Raised by a single mother from a poor background and a small tribe. In he was able to unite the
infighting Mongols. He was given the title “Khan of Khan’s”. in 5 years, he had conquered the known
world. He had carved out the largest land empire in 80 years.
HOW DID THEY ESTABLISH THE LARGEST CONTIGUOUS LAND EMPIRE?
The Mongol territory stretched from Korea to Georgia, Armenia and Hungary. The Mongols were
united in a time where disunity was prominent throughout Asia. China was disunited, fragmented and
weak. Central Asia was fragmented into khanates and city states. The Middle East, Abbasid dynasty, was
also declining. Southern Russia was a series of city states. There was no central government controlling
the areas.This created a power vacuum. There was a lack of strong leaders and unity in the area and the
Mongols took hold of this opportunity which was just a case of good luck. The Mongols were a small
population of about 200 000. (China had 1 million and yet were conquered).
An important aspect to their success was their mobility. The Mongols were great horsemen, a powerful
military force on horseback, and this formed part of their identity. They incorporated the use of the
stirrup which allowed them to be more flexible, as well as freeing up their hands. This allowed for the
introduction of new bow technology and they became excellent archers. The Mongols were able to
initiate full scale attacks and invasions and hit and run raids. If they met a formidable enemy, they were
able to retreat quickly.
