This is an excellent short overview of the rise
and fall of the Mongol Empire.
The Mongol Empire (Early 1200’s to 1368)
Government - Grade: A-
The Mongol Empire became the largest empire the world has ever seen. At one point, the Mongols controlled 22% of all the world’s land area. Although much of this land was desert, grassland or extreme highland, it also included the large population centers of India and China. However, it was not a long-lasting empire. This may be due to the large size. The Mongols were not a large group themselves, and controlling such a large empire must have put stress on their resources and organizational ability.
The founder of the Mongolian empire was a man named Temujin, also known as Genghis Kahn. He was an incredible military leader and organizer whose efforts are the primary reason behind the exorbitant size of the realm. He united the Mongol tribes and organized his military and government into an efficient hierarchy base on 10s, 100s, 1000s, and 10,000s. He rewarded loyalty by giving important positions in the military and government to those who benefited the empire, even if they were of lower rank. He also gave them the spoils of war, encouraging the loyalty of his warriors.
Genghis Kahn codified Mongol laws by writing them down and making them applicable to all. His laws included forbidding the selling of women, theft, adultery, fighting with other Mongols, and hunting during breeding season. The laws were harsh – many were punishable by death. This strict system meant the Mongol Empire ran efficiently. There were few problems that rulers had to deal with.
Two major issues helped lead to the downfall of the empire. One was the large size of the empire that made it difficult to control. The other was the inefficient system of choosing a Kahn. When a Kahn died, the ruling family had a meeting to elect the next leader. However, brothers often struggled with each other for control or were off in different lands trying to extend the empire. This led to conflict and civil war between different Kahns and eventually weakened the empire to the point of collapse.
I would give them an “A-“ because it was the world’s largest empire and you must be organized and successful to conquer that much territory. They also established an organized bureaucracy that functioned efficiently. The reason they are graded down is because they got too big and the system for selecting the next ruler led to civil war.
Genghis Kahn
Religion – Grade: A
The major purpose of religion in ancient civilizations is to unite the people. The Mongols were somewhat united by religion, but were more united by their strict government and their constant drive to conquer and maintain control. Eventually Mongols in the east adopted Chinese religions, while those in the west adopted Islam.
The Mongol rulers, especially Temujin, allowed religious freedom throughout the empire. Mongol rulers even organized religious debates among clerics with large audiences. Although this did not specifically unite the Mongols, it did help them maintain control over conquered peoples. When the Kahns were approaching, many cities or kingdoms would surrender, knowing that they would have to pay tribute but would still be allowed to practice their own religion. Similar to the ruler Akbar, this policy enabled conquered peoples to feel more accepted. It also helped prevent other nations from uniting to fight the Mongols. For instance, some Muslim rulers did not help others fight off the Mongols because they did not view the conflict as a religious war.
I gave the Mongols an “A” because they were united in purpose, even if they were not as united through religion. The key bonus for them was the fact that they were better able to maintain control due to their religious tolerance.
Economy – Grade: B
The Mongols were originally nomadic herders who united together and conquered very diverse lands. They did not create many products on their own, but were very accepting of merchants and traders from other lands. The Mongols relied on the tribute they collected from conquered peoples. They would use the products or money gained to purchase products from the merchants. As long as the tribute and merchants were coming in, the economy was efficient.
Genghis Kahn welcomed foreign merchants. They provided information about neighboring cultures. His sons and grandsons continued this policy. Since the Mongols conquered China, Russia, India and Southwest Asia, they opened the Silk Road and kept it safe. This allowed products from all corners of the continent to flow through the empire. It was during Kublai Kahn’s rule that Marco Polo came to China and returned with stories of Chinese splendor.
The Mongols worked to make the economic system more unified throughout the empire, although it never became fully efficient. Parts of the empire actually adopted the Chinese system of using paper currency. (a much more efficient system) But it did not translate to all parts of the empire.
I gave them a “B” because, although they produced very little of their own, they did maintain an efficient system by encouraging and promoting trade and foreign merchants. However, it did depend on the ability to collect tribute from conquered territories and plunder from war.
Art and Architecture – Grade: C
The Mongols did not develop much art or architecture themselves. They were primarily a nomadic people. They moved around a lot and so their housing needed to be mobile. The lived in tent-like structures called yurts. Their art tended to depict animals and nomadic life, but was really not significant compared to the peoples they conquered.
They did encourage the art of conquered cultures. Karakoram, the Mongol capital was adorned with Chinese, European and Persian architecture and art. One of the most famous Mongol artists was a sculptor named Zanbazar created unique bronze sculptures of Buddhist deities. The also encourage artists by exempting artists from taxes.
I gave them a “C“ because the Mongols developed very little of their own art. However, they did encourage it by allowing foreigners to produce it and by exempting artists from taxes.
Technology - Grade: C-
The Mongols were a warring people. Much of the empire’s reign was spent either gaining territory or maintaining their tenuous control over their domain. Their technology reflects this fact. Most of their invention and innovation was in the area of weaponry. They developed specialized bow and arrows as well as swords that could be used best on horseback. The Mongols empire was dependent on their cavalry as so their weapons needed to fit their style. The problem they eventually ran into was when cities would lock the gates and try to wait out the Mongols. The Mongols did not have the ability to run a good siege. They solved this by borrowing siege weapons from the Chinese.
The most successful innovation of the Mongols was their development of the “Yam”. It was a postal/information service, much like the Pony Express, that delivered messages over Mongol roads at an incredibly fast rate.
I gave the Mongol Empire a “C-“ since they really only developed innovations in warfare, although the Yam was a significant improvement over the message delivery system of the time.
Society – Grade B
The Mongol system relied on the strict system of organization developed by Genghis Kahn. The Imperial family and aristocracy were the ruling class, but if you were loyal and distinguished yourself in some way, you could be rewarded with a high position in the military or government. Tight discipline and rules applied to all Mongols equally, regardless of wealth. The rulers did redistribute wealth at times by giving a portion of all sheep to the very poor. Therefore the class system did seem to allow some social mobility and was not as restrictive as other civilizations of that time.
Although women were secondary to men, they were valued for their advice. Some rulers even brought women into advisory sessions. One women even effectively ruled the empire for several years while the sons disputed the throne. Women were allowed much freedom and equality at first, although as Muslim culture influenced Mongol rule in the west, Muslim treatment of women led to greater restrictions.
I found very little on Mongol education. What I did find is that teachers were valued enough that they were exempt from paying taxes, along with lawyers and artists. They also developed a system of writing that is used today in Mongolia.
I gave the empire a “B” because there seemed to be equality and the ability to improve your lot in life. Women were also respected more than in many other cultures of the time. They also respected teachers.
Overall Grade: B+
The Mongol Empire is considered one of the great empires of history, primarily because of the size and speed of which they conquered parts of three continents. The empire was very organized and efficient. I like the fact that they encouraged and adopted foreign ideas. This helped them improve as much as they did.
What I would grade them down for is their inability to develop their own art, architecture or technology. It is great that they adopted other's ideas, but they did not leave a legacy of their own culture. The empire also did not last that long compared to other important empires throughout history.
The Mongol Empire is considered one of the great empires of history, primarily because of the size and speed of which they conquered parts of three continents. The empire was very organized and efficient. I like the fact that they encouraged and adopted foreign ideas. This helped them improve as much as they did.
What I would grade them down for is their inability to develop their own art, architecture or technology. It is great that they adopted other's ideas, but they did not leave a legacy of their own culture. The empire also did not last that long compared to other important empires throughout history.
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