03a_Ch.

12: The Mongol Empire- Pax Mongolica & Yuan Dynasty

Timeline: 13
th
- 14
th
Century
FQ: To what extent did Mongol rule contribute to future economic, cultural, and social exchange within
Eurasia?

Main Idea:# The Mongol Empire becomes a cross-continental bridge uniting East with West. As emperor
of China, Kublai Khan encouraged foreign trade. Economic innovations are introduced to encourage and
facilitate commerce and cultural diffusion soon thrives. Over time, Mongol hegemony contributes to the
safe & speedy travel of people, goods, and knowledge.

CCSS...

I. Vocabulary
Pax Mongolica: Mongol Peace. A term similar in meaning to the Pax Romana. A period of peace and
economic stability brought about by the stability and strength of the Mongolian imperial government.

II. Pax Mongolica: 13th C. version of "Free Trade Policies"?
A. Law Enforcement: Patrol major routes. Safe to travel and transport goods.
B. Commercial Innovation: "Post Towns" established along major trade routes. They become
commercial centers along remote streches of Silk Road paths.
C. Currency: Replaces specie as a medium of exchange. Merchants can travel without the weight
and worry of inconsistent exchange rates for gold and silver.
D. Post Riders: In emergencies, these messengers of the Khans can travel 300 miles in a day. It
aids in governing the vast territories under Mongol rule.

III. East - West Exchange
A. Technology:
1. Firearms: Gunpowder applications.
a. Handheld weapons
b. Cannon and Mortar.
2. Compass
3. Explosives
a. Bombs
b. Grenades
B. Paper Money: Accelerates feudal Europe's abandonment of manorial system. Economically and
politically, land's value is diminishing as specie-backed mediums of exchange gain importance.
C. Eastern Scholarship: Eastern philosophies, precursors to the natural sciences, ow westward.
They fuel changes in both science and religion.
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D. Chronicles: Mongol#tolerance of foreigners offers an opportunity for visitors to record events and
sites during the Pax Mongolica. Among these, we must include Marco Polo, Fr. William of Rubruk,
and Ibn Battuta.

IV. Summary: Why it matters now.
The inuence of Chinese ideas on Western civilization began with the Mongols encouragement of trade.

Materials/Sources:#Refer to the course calendarfor additional materials, assignments and pertinent due dates.

Map of Eurasia

Ibn al-Athir: The Tatars http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/1220al-Athir-mongols.asp

World History: Patterns of Interaction

Film: CNN's Millennium Series- The 13th C._Century of the Stirrup

The Human Record texbook: 'Travel in the Age of the Pax Mongolica', read pages 426 - 430.

The Human Record texbook: 'Traveling the Silk Road', read pages 431 - 435.

Lecture by Prof. Morris Rossabi, Columbia Univ. 28 Sept. '00 (Stuyvesant H.S.), Author of Khubilai Khan: His Life and Times
Roger Bacon, 13thC. Franciscan Friar who is credited with being an early adopter of empiricism and the scientic method.
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Francis of Assisi, a Franciscan Friar who saw all things in nature as sure signs of God's existence and work.
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