DATE: _____________

Were the Mongols a positive or negative force in history?

THE MONGOLS (4:45)

 Mongols live primarily in a geographic region known as the steppe. Describe the steppe.
A steppe is a large unforested grassland

 Describe several characteristics of Mongol life.

The Mongolians had an agricultural life as nomads moving back and forth

TEMUJIN (1162 – 1227)

In 1162, a child named Temujin was born on the steppes of Central Asia. His parents belonged to one of
many clans of nomadic Mongols. These clans followed a pastoral way of life. They tended grazing herds of
animals, moving back and forth across the vast plains. Temujin’s people,
the Borjigin, formed one of the most powerful Mongol clans, with his
father as the khan (chief) of a Borjigin subclan. But when Temujin was
about 10, his father was filled by Tatars. Normally, a khan’s oldest son
took his place, but the people refused to follow the boy. They chose
another khan and forced Temujin, along with his mother and brothers,
out of the clan. Rival clans and roving bandits were a constant threat,
and conditions on the steppe were harsh. But Temujin managed to keep
his mother and brothers alive. Growing stronger with each battle for
survival, he had a greater goal – to regain his rightful place as a Borjigin
chief.

In the years that followed, Temujin fought for power. Each victory meant more people willing to accept him
as their leader. At times, he allied himself with some clans to defeat others. As his power grew, Temujin
overcame clan after clan, tribe after tribe. Finally, there was only one rival remaining, his childhood friend
and blood brother, Jamukha. The decisive battle between them known as the Battle of the Thirteen Sides, is
portrayed below.

MONGOL (1:37:12-1:50:31) https://youtu.be/NxoBfbhoEmo

 DATE: _____________

 How similar were the laws of Temujin similar to the European code of chivalry and the Japanese
code of bushido?

They both valued their reputation and how they wanted to live their lives.

 What made Temujin’s army such a formidable fighting force?

Temujin’s army were ruthless and powerful. They slaughtered a lot of people and never spared anyone.

TEMUJIN BECOMES GENGHIS KHAN

In 1206, the clans elected Temujin Great Khan, or supreme ruler of all the Mongol clans. His title became
Chinggis (Genghis) Khan, or “World Emperor.” As Great Khan, Genghis led his fierce armies in a series of
conquering sweeps beyond the steppes. Starting in northern China, his forces captured and destroyed city
after city along the Silk Road. The Mongols often killed all the people who lived in cities that had tried to
resist the conquering forces.

WHAT WAS CHINGGIS (GENGHIS) KHAN REALLY LIKE?

Directions: Individually, analyze the different primary and secondary sources about Genghis Khan. Then,
answer the three questions below.

1. What traits of Chinggis’ would have been particularly helpful to him in his career of conquest? List
two and explain why.

When he was thrown out of his tribe he wanted loyalty and respect from his peers. His thought
behavior on the frontline helped him keep going. (I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT I JUST WROTE)
 DATE: _____________

2. What characteristics of Chinggis would have been particularly helpful to him in governing his
empire? List two and explain why.

His ability to make alliances with other tribes would help him a lot. Another characteristic would be
to defend himself and others to demonstrate to the people that he was strong

3. How would you explain differences in the descriptions of what Chinggis was like?

Everyone has a different POV on someone and there is no evidence to prove any claims on him.

WHAT WAS CHINGGIS (GENGHIS) KHAN REALLY LIKE?

a. A Chinese author who was an eyewitness of the same sacrifices and we share our riches. I look
the bloody Mongol campaign in north China: upon the nation as my new-born child, and I care
for my soldiers as if they were my brothers.”

“This man is brave and decisive, he is self-

controlled, and lenient [merciful] towards the d. The Muslim historian Rashid al-Din, wrote that
population; he reveres [respects] Heaven and some of Chinggis’s sayings included:
Earth, prizes loyalty and justice.”

“From the goodness of severity the stability of

b. The Indian historian Juzjani was an eyewitness
of Chinggis Khan’s raid on India in 1221.
According to him:
“A man of tall stature, of vigorous build, robust in
body… with cat’s eyes, possessed of great energy,
judgment, genius and understanding, awe-
inspiring, a butcher, just, resolute, an over-
thrower of enemies, fearless, bloodthirsty and
cruel.”
government.”
“It is delightful and good for a man to conquer and
destroy his enemies, to take all they possess, to
cause their servants to cry out, to make tears run
down their faces and noses, to ride their horses,
to make the bellies of their wives his bed and
bedding, to admire their rosy cheeks, to kiss them
and suck their red lips.”

e. According to the laws that Chinggis set up:

c. Chinggis himself had a letter written to a
Chinese Daoist wise man. He said:
“I wear the same clothing and eat the same food
as the cow-herders and horse-herders. We make
“If it is necessary to write send messages to
rebels, they shall merely be told: if you submit you
will find peace and benevolence. But if you
continue to resist — what then do we know
 DATE: _____________

[about your future]? Only God knows what then

shall become of you.”

“All religions [are] to be respected and . . . no

preference [is] to be shown to any of them”

f. According to some decisions made by Chinggis

Khan:

“When fighting against hereditary enemies of his

tribe, Chinggis’s own son begged him to spare the
life of the enemy leader’s son. Chinggis replied:
“How often have we fought them? They have
caused us much sorrow. How can we spare his
life? He will only start another rebellion. I have
conquered these lands, armies, and tribes for you,
my sons. Of what use is he? There is no better
place for an enemy of our nation than the grave.”

g. At a Grand Council meeting headed by

Chinggis in 1202, it was decided that

“in days gone by the Tartars (The Mongolian’s

long-standing enemy) killed our ancestors and
forefathers. [Therefore] we will sacrifice them in
revenge and retribution…by massacring all except
the youngest….down to the very last male and the
remainder will be shared as slaves among us all.”
 DATE: _____________

THINK-WRITE-PAIR-SHARE

Directions:

1. Individually, think about the following question: Do you agree with Genghis Khan’s idea that
harshness is good because it leads to stable government? Why or why not?

Yes but no, I agree that being harsh can lead to a stable government but there is a limit for how harsh
you can be