Lana West

December 28, 2009

Honors World History

Genghis Khan Written Report

Genghis Khan, born in 1165 as Temuchin to the noble family of Yesugei and

Ho'elun in modern-day Mongolia, was to become one of the world’s most dynamic

military leaders by the time he was twenty.

At an early age, Temuchin was engaged to Borte, who belonged to another tribe.

His Father, Yesugei, was poisoned while returning to his own camp by the Tatars after he

had left Temuchin with her family. After his father died, Temuchin returned to his

family, still a boy. He endured many hardships during this time, including the kidnapping

of his now wife Borte. But Temuchin slowly recruited supporters, and assumed a veil of

leadership among the Mongols. He rose to power in 1185.

A key aspect to his success was an alliance with his father's blood brother, Toghril

Ong-Khan, King of the Keraits. Toghril and his followers belonged to another tribe. With

Toghril's support, Temuchin recovered Borte, and slowly became the ruling power in the

steppe. Eventually, relations between Temuchin and Toghril embittered. This soon led to

a war that left Temuchin victorious. By 1206 Temuchin dominated Mongolia, and

received the title Genghis Khan.

Although Genghis Khan now ruled Mongolia and had united the various tribes

into one, the Mongols, like most young rulers, he was not content to stay there. Many

wars over land and territory broke out, all lead by the vicious Genghis Khan. But as with
most wars, there was never a single reason; and, without doubt, a variety of factors came

into play.

In 1207, the Mongols began operations against Xi-Xia, whose territory included

much of northwestern China, and parts of Tibet. This campaign lasted until 1210, and

ended with the Xi-Xia ruler surrendering to Genghis Khan. During this time, the Uighurs

also surrendered to the Mongols, and became respected administrators throughout the

empire.

In 1211, after a great meeting, Genghis Khan led his armies against the Chin

Dynasty that ruled northern China. This raging war continued against the Chin until

1234, which was well after Genghis Khan's death.

In 1219, a caravan under the protection of Genghis Khan had been attacked in

Otrar, a city of the Khwarazm Empire. Their territory included modern Uzbekistan,

Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. Because his armies were engaged in

China, Genghis Khan attempted to find a peaceful solution. But Muhammad

Khwarazmshah, the ruler of the Khwarazm Empire, forced the issue. This left Genghis

Khan with no choice. From 1219 to 1222, the Mongols started a war in central Asia, and

destroyed the Khwarazmian Empire. The battle remains strategically remarkable.

Although the victory was great, Khan had business to take care concerning the Xi-Xia.

The ruler of Xi-Xia, who had surrendered in 1210, had not provided troops for the

campaign.

In 1226, his armies invaded Xi-Xia. During the campaign, Genghis Khan fell

from his horse when it was startled while the emperor was hunting. Although he

eventually died from internal injuries as a result of the fall, he did not allow his followers
to stop the campaign. They continued the siege of Xi-Xia’s Capital even after his death.

When the invasion was finished, Genghis Khan was buried in a secret place that remains

a mystery despite the fact that several modern expeditions have attempted to find it.

The reasons we study Genghis Khan today are distinct. His non-military

achievements include the introduction of a writing system based on the Uighur script,

which is still used in Inner Mongolia today, the idea of religious acceptance throughout

the empire, and the achievement of tribal unity among the Mongols. Even today his

legacy continues in Asia, for without Genghis Khan there would not be a Mongolia.