Chapter 3: The Mongol Empire

• kuriltai


  The tribal councils formed by the Mongol chief that has meetings. Chinggis Khan was elected khagan
• khagan


  The title for the ruler of the Mongol tribes, Chinggis Khan was elected khagan
• tumens


  A team of 10,000 calvary further divided into units. Their way of fighting allowed them to win many victories
• Karakorum


  The new capital during Chinggis Khan's rule. It was the place he lived and where he summoned intelligent thinkers
• Batu


  Chinggis Khan's grandson which led the Golden Horde. Invaded Russia in 1236
• Ogedei


  3rd son of Chinggis Khans who became khagan after his death. His craftiness allowed the Empire to stay strong.
• Golden Horde


  The subdivision of the Mongol Empire who ruled most of south-central Russia. Ruled by Batu and almost succeeded taking all of Europe
• khanates


  The name of the 4 regional Mongol kingdoms that formed after the death of Chinggis. Different descendants ruled each area
• Prester John


  Mythical Christian ruler that had his kingdom cut off by Muslim conquests. Chinggis Khan was Prester John to many Europeans
• Baibars

  Commander of the Egyptians forces who were enslaved. Defeated the Mongols in 1260 and gave relief to Muslims
• Berke


  Muslim ruler of the Golden Horde. His power and Manluk power forced the Mongol conquests in the Middle East to slow down.
• Kubilai Khan


  Grandson of Chinggis Khan that conquered South China. He established control in China
• Yuan Dynasty 


  Mongol Dynasty in 1271 ruled by Kubilai Khan. The Mongols adapted much customs from China during this time
• The Mongol conquests are the greatest nomadic intrusion in history. The conquests reshaped Asia and even Europe; the Mongols were tolerant towards different cultures which allowed trade to flourish. They created opportunities to learn from other cultures through their extensive trade networks.
• Chinggis Khan came into power at an young age after his father's death, and was captured at one point. Then, he joined forces with another stronger group and defeated his enemies. The Mongols value those with bravery and strength, exactly what Khan showed when he raided camps of those who wronged him, that's why he became the khagan.
• To invade China, the Mongols used battering rams, catapults, and bamboo rockets to break down their walls. After improving their methods, they destroyed the Khwarazm Empire using the same tactics. The jump from calvary and arrows to stronger weapons allowed them to be victorious.
• The Mongols controlled the Russian city Kiev and the Russian heartlands after leader Alexander Nevsky surrendered temporarily. They had power over the Abbasid caliph and Turks, capturing/destroying Abbasid capital, Baghad.
• The main types of interregional trade were land (Silk Road) and sea trade. In the Mediterranean and Black Sea, the Europeans began expanding trade.