Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire

Kublai Khan

(1215-1294) Grandson of Genghis Khan, he was the Mongol that conquered ALL of China.

Silk Road

An ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean Sea where trade flourished under the control and protection of Mongol rulers.

Typhoon

Another name for a hurricane, it saved the Japanese nation from invasion of the Mongols

The Great Wall of China

Barrier in China that was meant to keep invaders out. It failed to stop Genghis Khan and his army.

Temujin

Birth name of the Mongol leader better known as Genghis Khan.

Beijing

Capital of northern China in the 1200's AD that was captured and destroyed by Genghis Khan and his army

Marco Polo

European merchant that traveled to China during the rule of Kublai Khan

Mongolia

Home of Genghis Khan and the Mongol people

Mongol Empire

Largest land empire in the history of the world, spanning from Eastern Europe across Asia.

Yuan Dynasty

Name for the Mongol government in China

Yam

Name of the Mongols international postal service

40 million

Number of people that some historians estimate Genghis Khan and his army killed

Freedom of Religion

Practice of Genghis Khan which allowed conquered people to maintain their chosen faith

Cavalry

Soldiers on horseback, the entire Mongol Army rode horses giving them great speed and mobility

Universal Ruler

Translation of the title Genghis Khan

Steppe

A large area of flat, treeless grassland in the elevated areas of Mongolia, the home of the Mongol people.

Yurt

A portable dwelling (tent-like) used by the nomadic people of Central Asia such as Mongols, consisting of a tent-like structure of skin, felt or hand-woven textiles arranged over wooden poles.

Meritocracy

A system practice by Genghis Khan in which promotion is based on individual ability or achievement

Genghis Khan

Founder of the Mongol Empire, he united the Mongol people and created what would become the largest empire in human history.

Surrender

Genghis Khan allowed people to live and communities to survive if they did this.

Jamukha

Genghis Khan's best friend that ultimately betrays him.

Borte

Genghis Khan's first and most favored wife

Nomadic

The act of moving from place to place for food

Eurasia

The large landmass that includes both Europe and Asia that the Mongols united for the first time in history.

Pax Mongolica

The period of approximately 150 years of relative peace and stability created by the Mongol Empire.

Bow & Arrow

The preferred weapon of the Mongols; they were deadly accurate with great range.

1162-1227 A.D.

Years that Genghis Khan lived