Pax Mongolica

Pax Mongolica

Today you're going to be playing through this lesson on how the Pax Mongolica affected trade on the Silk Road.

Open Ended

Do Now: What do you remember about the Pax Romana? (what does it mean, what happened, etc.)

Pax Romana:

"a state of [peace] throughout the Mediterranean world...while accepting Roman taxation and military control."

Pax Mongolica

• Latin for "Mongol Peace"

• A period of stability in Eurasia under the Mongol Empire during the 13th and 14th centuries

Multiple Choice

Remember: An ______ is an extensive group of states under a single, supreme authority

• society

• region

• empire

• country

Main Idea: The Pax Mongolica allowed trade to flourish up and down the Silk Road network

Follow the red line from Europe, past the Arabian Peninsula, through the Himalayas, and into China.

The Mongol Peace

From the mid-1200s to the mid-1300s, the Mongols imposed stability and law and order across much of Eurasia. This period is called the Pax Mongolica, or Mongol Peace. 

Who were the Mongols?

The Mongols of the Asian steppe lived their lives on the move.

They prided themselves on their skill on horseback, their discipline, their ruthlessness, and their courage in battle.

They also wanted the wealth and glory that came with conquering mighty empires. 

Open Ended

Is there anything about the Pax Mongolica that reminds you of the Pax Romana?

Open Ended

How were the two empires (the Mongol Empire and the Roman Empire) different?

Mongol Rule

• Different religions existed together peacefully

• Easy to trade along Silk Road: one kingdom means there is no war between kingdoms

• Trade rapidly accelerated and new items were brought to faraway lands

Paper & Printing

• The invention of paper and woodblock printing took off during the Pax Mongolica

• These Chinese technologies were able to reach India and Europe via the Silk Road

• Many religious texts could now be printed and distributed all over.

Gunpowder

• Invented in China around 850 CE

• Fire rockets and firing cannons made of bamboo were used before 1000 CE

• This was inefficient, it took 2 people to carry each cannon and they did not shoot very far

• Gunpowder was used regularly in Europe by the 14th century

Compass

• Developed in China, used magnet technology

• Important to navigate trade routes, travel the seas, and read the skies.

• Do you or someone at home have a compass app on your phone? Michigan (where I live!) is to the West of you.

Poll

Which invention do you think was the most useful when traveling along the Silk Road?

• Paper, to share ideas

• Gunpowder, to fend off enemies

• Compass, to direct you