Beginnings of the Mongol Empire

Beginnings of the Mongol Empire

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The Birthplace of Mongol Empire

North of the Great Wall of China and southeast of Lake Baikal in Russia lies the nation of Mongolia, a mixture of climates, desert, and steppe. A steppe is a large area of flat grassland. In the 1100s, this region was occupied by many related nomadic tribes. The tribes were made up of sheep and horse herders, who were dependent on those animals for food. The tribes often formed shifting alliances that were usually at war with one another. The Mongols were one of these tribes, and not necessarily the most dangerous one. Around 1155, a son was born to Hoelun, the wife of the Mongol khan, a term which means leader. His name was Temujin (te MOO jin).

• In your notebook, add a detail from the text about Mongolia based on what you read. Add the detail in the "Mongolia" bubble.

Multiple Choice

Where was Mongolia in relation to China?

• north of China

• south of China

• near Tibet

• on the islands

Multiple Select

Choose the physical characteristics of a steppe (choose more than 1)

• mountainous

• flat

• desert

• grassland

Legends of Temujun

• It is said that Temujin declared himself the leader of the Mongols when he was 12.

• To cement his power, the young leader killed his half-brother.

• At the age of 20, he was captured and enslaved by another enemy tribe.

• He escaped and joined other members of his tribe and several related clans to form a strong force of 20,000 men

• In your notebook, add a detail about Temujin based on what you read. Add it in the "Temujin" bubble.

Multiple Choice

What happened when Temujin was 20 years old?

• He killed his half brother

• He became leader of the Mongols

• He was captured by an enemy tribe

Temujin's Warrior Horses

• His mounted warriors could live for days on horseback. Their saddlebags carried food, spare clothes, tools, and weapons.

• By commanding horses with the pressure of their legs alone, Mongol warriors could even shoot arrows at a full gallop.

• When closing on the enemy, they used hooked lances that could pull men off their horses.

​In your notebook, add a detail about Temujin's Warrior Horses based on what you read. Add the detail in the "Warrior Horses" bubble.

Multiple Choice

These animals were essential in helping Temujin win battles.

• Elephants

• Camels

• Horses

• Tigers

Multiple Choice

What was one battle tactic that the Mongols did NOT use?

• Shooting arrows while riding their horses

• Shooting shotguns

• Pulling men off horses will hooked lances

• Traveling for days on horseback

Temujin's New Name

Temujin defeated enemy tribes through a combination of military force, shrewd diplomacy, and merciless brutality. He made use of spies and a signaling system that combined smoke, fire, drums, and flags. By 1206, through alliances and conquests, Temujin had united all the tribes of Mongolia and built a force of 80,000 men. Tribal leaders granted him the title of Supreme Ruler—Genghis Khan.

Multiple Choice

What was Temujin's new title?

• Genghis Khan

• Li Yuan

• Dynasty Master

• Grand Alliance

The Great Mongol Nation

Genghis Khan set out to build a new state by taking already established laws and customs of the tribes and formulating his own. The old tribal names no longer mattered, he declared, because the people were now all part of the Great Mongol Nation. He abolished the old noble titles among the tribes and clans. All such titles now belonged to the state, not to individuals or families. He divided his army into well-disciplined units of 1,000 and 10,000. Warriors who showed they had leadership abilities became generals, even if they came from lowly families. He even set some as commanders over members of his own family.

• In your notebook, add a detail about the Great Mongol Nation based on what you just read. Add it in the "Great Mongol Nation" bubble.

Multiple Select

What did Temujin do to earn the title "Genghis Khan"?

• United all Mongol tribes for the first time

• Defeated his enemies

• Promoted people based on merit

• All of the above