ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions What Happened to the Mongols After The Death of Genghis Khan
On August 18th, 1227, Genghis Khan, the legendary Mongol leader who created a vast empire from the Yellow Sea to the Aral Sea, passed away during a military campaign against the Chinese kingdom of Xi Xia. His final wish was for his followers to destroy Xi Xia, and his successor made sure to fulfill this request. Genghis Khan’s death marked the end of an era that changed the ancient world and shaped the future in many ways.
Even though Genghis Khan died in 1227, his passing did not mark the end of the Mongol Empire’s expansion. According to legend, his last words to his loyal followers and his third son, Ögedei Khan, were that he had conquered a large empire but wished he could have taken over the entire world. Ögedei took this mission seriously and was just as ambitious as his father, eager to expand the empire further.
Ögedei Khan, determined to honor his father’s legacy, led the Mongol army to continue their conquests. He pushed into Persia, defeated the Shah, and engaged in a long-lasting war with the Song Dynasty of China, which eventually led to the Mongols conquering much of China by 1279.
Ögedei then set his sights on Eastern Europe. His nephew, Batu Khan, and General Subutai led the charge, using Chinese gunpowder to gain an advantage in battles. In 1235, Ögedei ordered Batu Khan to conquer Russia, known as Rus at the time, which included modern-day Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, and the Baltic states. The region was politically fragmented, making it easier for the Mongols to conquer.
Batu Khan’s army first attacked Ryazan in December 1237, and despite the city’s resistance, the Mongols quickly overran it. They continued to capture other Russian cities, including Kiev, by 1240.
After conquering Russia, Ögedei’s forces moved into Poland and Hungary. The Mongol cavalry archers, skilled in long-range attacks, overwhelmed the European defenders. They defeated Poland at the Battle of Legnica in 1241 and crushed the Hungarian army at the Battle of Mohi shortly after.
The Mongols continued their advance, sacking cities like Zagreb and annexing regions such as Austria and Moravia. Despite their success, the mountainous terrain and fortified structures in Central Europe provided some resistance.
In 1241, as the Mongols approached Vienna, they unexpectedly retreated. This was due to Ögedei’s sudden death, which required the Mongol leaders to return home to elect a new Khan. This retreat marked the end of the Mongol threat to Western Europe.
Ögedei’s death led to disputes among Genghis Khan’s grandsons over who would become the next Great Khan. Ögedei’s widow managed to delay the conflict until her son, Guyuk Khan, was ready to rule. However, Guyuk’s reign was short-lived, and he died under mysterious circumstances.
Mongke Khan eventually took the throne with support from Batu Khan. He was a popular ruler who managed the empire’s finances and administration effectively. The empire was divided into three major khanates: the Golden Horde, the Chagatai Khanate, and the Ilkhanate.
Kublai Khan, another of Genghis Khan’s grandsons, conquered the Song Dynasty in China and established the Yuan Dynasty. This marked the first time China was entirely under foreign rule. Kublai faced challenges from his brothers but ultimately became the next Great Khan.
Eventually, the Mongol Empire split into four parts: the Yuan Dynasty in China, the Chagatai Khanate, the Golden Horde, and the Ilkhanate. In 1304, the western khanates briefly recognized the Yuan Dynasty’s rule, but it was overthrown by the Ming Dynasty in 1368. This, along with internal conflicts, led to the empire’s dissolution.
The Mongol Empire reached its peak two generations after Genghis Khan and had a significant impact on culture, art, and politics across Asia and Europe. The Mongols transformed from nomadic tribes into rulers of vast territories, adopting administrative systems to manage their empire. Their unification of Asia facilitated trade and cultural exchange along routes like the Silk Road. However, the empire’s eventual collapse ended this period of political unity.
The Mongol influence on Iranian and Islamic culture in Western Asia remains significant to this day. The story of the Mongols is a fascinating chapter in history, showcasing the rise and fall of one of the largest empires the world has ever seen.
Research the key events that occurred after Genghis Khan’s death and create a timeline. Include events such as Ögedei Khan’s conquests, the Mongol invasion of Eastern Europe, and the eventual division of the Mongol Empire. Present your timeline to the class and explain the significance of each event.
Using a blank map, plot the expansion of the Mongol Empire after Genghis Khan’s death. Mark key battles and conquests, such as the Battle of Legnica and the capture of Kiev. Compare your map with historical maps to see how the empire grew and changed over time.
In groups, role-play a council meeting of the Mongol khanates. Each group member should represent a different khanate or key figure, such as Kublai Khan or Batu Khan. Discuss strategies for managing the empire and address challenges like leadership disputes and territorial governance.
Participate in a class debate about the Mongol Empire’s impact on world history. One side should argue that the Mongols were destructive conquerors, while the other side should highlight their contributions to trade, culture, and political systems. Use evidence from the article to support your arguments.
Investigate how the Mongol Empire facilitated cultural exchange along the Silk Road. Focus on the impact on art, science, and technology. Present your findings in a multimedia presentation, showcasing examples of cultural influences that originated during the Mongol era.
On August 18th, 1227, Temüjin, also known as Genghis Khan, the Mongol conqueror who built an empire stretching from the Yellow Sea to the Aral Sea, died in an army camp during an assault on the Chinese kingdom of Xi Xia. His last words to his followers were to decimate the kingdom of Xi Xia. His successor did not disappoint him. Genghis Khan’s death marked the end of a reign that transformed much of the ancient world and irrevocably altered the trajectory of the future.
Although he passed away in 1227, Genghis Khan’s death did not signal the peak of the Mongol Empire or the end of their thirst for conquest. According to legend, his last words to a few faithful followers, along with his successor and third son, Ögedei Khan, were that he had conquered a large empire but his life was too short to take the whole world, which he left to them. Ögedei took this to heart and was as ambitious as his father, with a relentless desire for land and treasures.
As a promise to his deceased father, Ögedei ordered the Mongol army to continue their expansion in the name of Genghis Khan, who was now elevated to the status of a god. Ögedei managed to push into Persia, finished off the Shah, and engaged in conflict with the Song Dynasty of China, starting a war that would last until 1279, concluding with the Mongols’ successful conquest of much of China.
After taking his father’s place, Ögedei turned his eyes toward Eastern Europe. The conquest of Eastern Europe was facilitated by Batu Khan, Ögedei’s nephew, and General Subutai. They had access to Chinese gunpowder, which gave them an advantage in battles. If this had not occurred, Europe would have been delayed in discovering gunpowder and associated weaponry for several centuries.
Ögedei ordered Batu Khan to conquer Russia in 1235. At that time, Russia was known as Rus and included modern-day Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, and the Baltic states. Much of Rus was ruled by princely dynasties, which made the region politically fragmented and easier for Batu Khan to conquer. Batu Khan’s army’s first siege in Rus was at Ryazan in December 1237. The city refused to surrender, hoping that winter would demoralize the invaders, but the Mongols were undeterred. The city was sacked before the inhabitants realized what was happening.
The Mongols then stormed through other Russian cities, including Vladimir and Suzdal in the north and Pereyaslav and Chernigov in the south. Major cities such as Torzhok, Kiev, and Kozelsk were captured between 1238 and 1240. According to historical reports, Ögedei’s armies besieged Kiev for a long time, and when they breached the gates, none of the inhabitants were allowed to escape and were swiftly executed.
After conquering Russia, Ögedei quickly moved to invade Poland and Hungary. The Mongol cavalry archers, capable of firing at longer ranges than their European counterparts, overwhelmed the defenders. The Mongols charged with three armies, defeating a fragmented Poland at the Battle of Legnica in 1241. Two days later, they regrouped and crushed the Hungarian army at the Battle of Mohi, causing significant casualties and destruction.
The Mongol siege of Esztergom, the capital of Hungary, forced people to flee and establish a new capital in Budapest. The Hungarian King Béla IV fled to Croatia during the initial attacks, and fortified structures helped keep him and the local population safe. However, Zagreb was sacked and destroyed in pursuit of the fugitive king.
While advancing in Hungary and Croatia, Batu Khan also annexed Austria, Dalmatia, and Moravia. If locals resisted, the Mongols swiftly dealt with them. They reached Moldavia and Wallachia, plundering food supplies and leaving the population in a precarious state. Although Central Europe had no effective response to the Mongols’ superior cavalry and siege tactics, the ability to survive longer sieges and the mountainous terrain provided some advantage.
In 1241, Western Europe watched as Ögedei’s armies raided the outskirts of Vienna, holding their breath. Then, unexpectedly, the Mongols retreated without any force pushing them back. It turned out that Ögedei had died unexpectedly, and soldiers were called back to elect a new Khan. This marked the end of the Mongol juggernaut that Western Europe had witnessed, as they never returned to complete what Ögedei had started.
Ögedei’s untimely death caused disputes among Genghis Khan’s grandsons, all vying for the position of the next Great Khan. Ögedei’s widow managed to keep them at bay until her son, Guyuk Khan, was ready to take over. However, Guyuk held the throne for only two years before he died under mysterious circumstances, with speculation that he may have been poisoned.
Mongke ascended to the throne soon after, with support from Batu Khan. He was a popular ruler who managed debts, controlled spending, conducted a census, and protected civilians by adopting a Western European model of administration. The empire was divided into three important khanates: the Golden Horde under Batu Khan, the Chagatai Khanate ruled by Chagatai Khan, and the Ilkhanate, which encompassed modern-day Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and parts of Turkey, ruled by Mongke’s brother, Hulagu.
Kublai Khan, another brother, conquered the Song Dynasty in China and renamed his khanate the Yuan Dynasty, marking the first time in history that the entire nation was under foreign rule. Kublai attempted to consolidate his dynasty, but Mongke died before confronting him. This allowed Kublai to become the next Great Khan, although he faced challenges from his younger brother.
Ultimately, the Mongol Empire split into four parts: the Yuan Dynasty in China, the Chagatai Khanate, the Golden Horde controlling Central Asia and Russia, and the Ilkhanate ruling Persia. In 1304, the three western khanates briefly accepted the rule of the Yuan Dynasty, but it was overthrown by the Han Chinese Ming Dynasty in 1368. This, along with increasing local unrest in the Golden Horde, led to the dissolution of the Mongol Empire.
The Mongol Empire reached its largest extent two generations after Genghis Khan and significantly influenced the cultural, artistic, and political systems across a vast landmass. The Mongols transformed from a nomadic tribe into rulers of cities and states, adopting administrative systems that allowed them to control their vast empire effectively. The political unification of Asia under the Mongols resulted in active trade and the transfer of artists and craftsmen along major routes, including the famous Silk Road. However, the disintegration of the Mongol Empire ultimately led to the collapse of the political unity that had supported the Silk Road.
The influence of the Mongol Empire on Iranian and Islamic culture in Western Asia remains significant. Let us know in the comments what other important historical events you would like us to cover in this series. Thank you for watching!
Mongols – A nomadic group from Central Asia who, under the leadership of Genghis Khan, established one of the largest empires in history during the 13th and 14th centuries. – The Mongols were known for their exceptional horseback riding skills and military strategies, which allowed them to conquer vast territories.
Empire – A large political unit or state, usually under a single leader, that controls many peoples or territories. – The Roman Empire was one of the most powerful and influential civilizations in ancient history.
Khan – A title given to rulers and officials in central Asia, Afghanistan, and certain other Muslim countries. – Genghis Khan was the founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire.
Legacy – Something handed down from an ancestor or from the past, often referring to cultural or historical achievements. – The legacy of the ancient Greeks includes significant contributions to philosophy, art, and government.
Conquest – The act of conquering or taking control of a country, city, or territory through military force. – The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire was a pivotal event in the history of the Americas.
Europe – A continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere, known for its diverse cultures and historical significance. – During the Middle Ages, Europe experienced significant social and political changes that shaped its future.
China – A country in East Asia, known for its rich history, ancient civilization, and significant contributions to art, science, and technology. – The Great Wall of China is one of the most famous landmarks in the world, symbolizing the country’s historical strength and resilience.
Dynasty – A series of rulers from the same family or lineage, often maintaining power for several generations. – The Ming Dynasty is renowned for its cultural achievements and the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing.
Culture – The beliefs, customs, arts, and institutions of a society at a given time. – The Renaissance was a period of great cultural revival in Europe, marked by advancements in art, literature, and science.
Politics – The activities associated with governance, including the debate and conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power. – The politics of ancient Rome were complex, involving a mix of democracy, oligarchy, and autocracy.
