History of the Mongol Empire 1162-1294 ce

Temujin

Jul 20, 1162

Temujin, a member of the Brojigin tribe, is born near the border of Mongolia and Siberia, into the harsh reality of nomadic life on the Mongolian steppe. Brought up amidst poverty and constant warfare, Temujin is married at 16, and at 20 begins assembling an army with the goal of conquering other steppe tribes.

Genghis Khan

Dec 24, 1205

Temujin subjugates the other tribes of the Mongolian steppe. He is proclaimed leader of the tribes and assumes the title "Genghis Khan," which means "Universal Ruler."

Expansion of the Empire

Dec 24, 1206

With the unification of the steppe tribes complete, the Mongols turn outward and begin to raid neighboring lands, including China, the Middle East, and parts of Europe.

Conquest of Xixia

Dec 24, 1209

Under Genghis' leadership, the Mongols invade and conquer the kingdom of Xixia, consisting of North-western China and parts of Tibet, giving Genghis control over portions of the Silk Road.

Jin Dynasty Conquest

Dec 24, 1211

Beginning in 1211 and ending 20 years later, the Mongols invade and conquer the Jin Dynasty of northern China.

Khwarezm Empire Conquest

Dec 24, 1221

After Mongol ambassadors to the Khwarezm Empire are murdered, Genghis personally heads an army of 200,000 Mongol cavalry and subjugates the powerful middle eastern empire, consisting of present-day Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Pax Mongolica

Dec 24, 1221

The Mongol Peace is created. The stabilizing effects of the Mongol conquests of Asia included religious tolerance; connection of the trade centers of Europe and Asia via the silk road; political and military advancement based on merit, not bloodline; and the establishment of a legal code, written by Genghis Khan himself, known as "Yassa."

Invasion of Europe

Dec 24, 1223

Beginning in 1223, and lasting on and off until 1242, the Mongols invaded much of Eastern Europe including,
Bulgaria (1223-1236)
Kievan Rus (1237-1240)
Poland (1241)
Hungary (1241-1242)

Death of Genghis Khan

Dec 24, 1227

Killed by internal injuries after being thrown from a horse in his 60's, Genghis Khan had conquered more than twice as much territory as any other man in history. His empire stretched from the Yellow Sea of Asia to the Caspian Sea of eastern Europe.

Fragmentation of the Mongol Empire

Dec 24, 1227

After his death, Genghis Khan's empire was divided into Khanates and distributed among his four sons, and later grandsons, who expanded and ruled the Mongol Empire under the "great Khan," Genghis' third son Ogedei. Ogedei Khan ruled until his death in 1241. Civil war among Genghis' grandsons permanently fractured the empire.

Kublai Khan

Dec 24, 1264

After a four-year civil war between Genghis' grandsons, Kublai emerges victorious, and is named Khan. He is the last of the "great Khans."

Yuan Dynasty, China

Dec 24, 1271

Yuan Dynasty established in China by Kublai Khan, who names himself Emperor of China.

Song Dynasty Conquest

Dec 24, 1279

The southernmost Chinese kingdom, the Song dynasty surrendered to the Mongols in 1276, giving Kublai Khan domain over all China. Resistance continued until 1279 when it was finally crushed at the battle of Yamen.

Apex

Dec 24, 1294

The Mongol Empire reaches it's height, totaling over 12 million square miles, by far the largest land empire in history.