Political Aspects of the Mongol Empire (Mirzad Kablic-Ap World HIstory 3rd block)

Temujin assumes the title of Genghis Khan

Jan 1, 1206

Temujin becomes the ruler of the Ikh Mongol Uls. This is a change to the tribes' polticial structure because it was not previously united under one ruler. This relates to my thesis because it is a spike of a power due to the unification of the tribes.

Mongol Empire

Period: Jan 1, 1206 to Jan 1, 1368

From its creation to its prosperity and finally ending at its downfall, the Mongol Empire had dips and spikes of power over time which heavily impacted the political structure of the empire. The Mongol Empire had many periods of change and/or continuity which stemmed from conquest, succession of Genghis Khan, and control over territories that had been acquired over the triumph of the Mongol Empire.

Genghis Khan expands the empire.

Jan 1, 1207

This is a change because it is the first step toward expansion of the creation of the eventually great Mongol empire. Khan attacks the kingdom of Xi Xia and succeeds. This causes a spike in power which allows the growth of political structure, relating to my thesis.

Genghis Khan invades the Khwarzin Dynasty

Jan 1, 1219

Khan leads a Mongol army, 200,000 strong, against the Khwarzin Dynasty. This shows continuity in growth of political structure due to another invasion, which is a regular theme when analyzing the strength of Mongols. This relates to my thesis because conquering the entire dynasty allowed for more power in the Mongol Empire.

The Pax Mongolica begins

Jan 1, 1221

With the conquering of all terrotories in the Khwarzin Dynasty, the Mongols now have control of trade. This is a change over time due to them now having another form of power through controlling trade. This relates to my thesis by showing another spike of power in the Mongol Empire.

Genghis Khan dies

Jan 1, 1227

After defeating Tanguts, Genghis Khan dies. He bestows leadership on his third son Ogedei. This is a change to political structure because there is a new ruler over the Mongol Empire. This relates to my thesis because, initially this causes a dip in Mongol power, but once the formal election occurs for Ogedei, he takes action.

War against the Jin Dynasty

Jan 1, 1230

With the alliance of the Song Dynasty, the Mongols finish off the Jin. This is a continuity of growth due to conquering in the Mongol Empire. Conquering more territory, Karakorum was claimed as the Mongol capital and forces continue onward from the new capital. This relates to my thesis because that shows another spike in power for the Mongol Empire due to having a new capital to push forces onward from.

Ogedei dies

Jan 1, 1241

ogedei dies, and forces Batu Khan, his son, to withdraw his forces in the Golden Horde from the Holy Roman Empire. This shows a change because a four year stalemate that was sparked due to the withdrawal instead of regular growth of the Mongol Empire. This relates to my thesis because this withdrawal causes a dip in the Power in the Mongol Empire.

Guyuk is elected as Great Khan

Jan 1, 1246

Through arguements between batu and Guyuk, rivals and foes begin to form within the Mongol Empire. This is a change because it was a much rougher transition in rulers than before in the Mongol Empire. This relates to my thesis because this causes a small dip in Mongol Power due to broken union within the Mongol Empire over succession arguements.

Mongke Khan succeeds

Nov 22, 1248

A split between the descendants of Ogedei and the descendants of Tolui grows within the Empire. Mongke institutes a bloody purge of the Ogedei line. This is continutity because it had shown over two years the greater division within the Mongol Empire. This relates to my thesis by showing another dip in the Mongol Empire due to the massacre of the Ogedei line and further division of the Empire.

Ming Dynasty reclaims China/ Mongol Empire ends

Jan 1, 1368

After many conquests and the development of a great empire, the Mongol Empire disintegrated into competing entities. This shows continuity because of further division between groups in teh Mongol Empire. This relates to my thesis because it is an extreme dip, and an ultimate downfall of the Mongol Empire due to division within the empire and partly due to the plague.