Yuan Dynasty (1279-1367) |
POLITICAL CHANGE |
Brutal Conquerors-Efficient Rulers Genghis Khan (1167-1227): Mongol chieftain who
devoted 5 years (1204-1209) to the internal organization of the newly unified
Mongol state, before launching far-reaching military campaigns against his
neighbors. At the time of his death, Genghis Khan had conquered the territory
from China to the Caspian Sea Ogodei (r. 1229-41): Genghis Khan’s son, who
succeeded his father in 1229, and led a federation of Mongol chieftains to
extend their empire from the Black Sea to the Korean Peninsula. His death contributed to the end of a
military movement that might have become worldwide domination. Kubilai Khan (1215-94): Genghis Khan’s grandson,
who established the Yuan Dynasty in China, moving his capital from Mongolia to
Dadu (later called Beijing), where he ruled over Mongolia and China. Non-Chinese Model of Rule: Khan or kha-ghan (Khan of
Khans) "Bloody
tanistry": violent inter-tribal struggle to determine
political succession. Examination system initially NOT important! |
INTELLECTUAL CHANGE |
Confucianism belittled and its practitioners ignored. "Silent" Loyalty to fallen Song Dynasty was a Badge of
Honor. Many southern Chinese
officials refused to serve the new regime. |
SOCIAL CHANGE |
Social Classes: Mongols, Se-mu (non-Mongolian foreigners), Northern
Chinese, Southern Chinese Marco Polo (1254?-1324?): Venetian trader and
adventurer, who traveled between Europe and Asia from 1271 to1295. Accounts of his travels have recently met
with scholarly skepticism. Hereditary households: popular in Yuan, but gone by late Ming Communes (she) as mutual
self-help organizations |
CULTURAL CHANGE |
Historical Dramas popular during the Yuan. Increased literacy spreads literature. |