Mongol Empire

The Mongols lived in yurts instead of permanent dwellings. How did this affect their ability to maintain control over such a vast empire?

• It made Mongol armies more vulnerable to harsh climates.

• It allowed them to abandon settlements quickly and evade enemies.

• It discouraged them from conquering sedentary civilizations.

• It created a rigid social hierarchy that limited political mobility.

Unlike other conquerors, Genghis Khan built loyalty beyond tribal affiliations. What was his most effective strategy for creating unity among diverse Mongol clans?

• Replacing tribal leaders with Chinese bureaucrats

• Abolishing the traditional clan-based hierarchy and promoting people based on merit

• Forcing Mongol clans to intermarry with foreign rulers

• Giving equal political power to all Mongol tribes, preventing favoritism

The Mongols revolutionized cavalry warfare. What key military innovation allowed them to execute highly effective long-range attacks?

• The use of war elephants and heavy cavalry

• The adaptation of lightweight saddles and composite bows for horseback warfare

• The widespread use of iron-plated armor for protection

• The development of gunpowder-based explosives

Psychological warfare was a crucial part of Mongol strategy. Which of the following best illustrates how the Mongols used fear as a military weapon?

• They sent spies into enemy cities to weaken morale before attacking.

• Rumors spread from survivors of their brutality to prevent future skirmishes

• They disguised themselves as local merchants to infiltrate enemy strongholds.

• They avoided unnecessary bloodshed to maintain a positive reputation.

What made the mongols so effective in rapidly conquered most of Eastern Europe and Asia? Select 2 Answers

• Their reputation

• Their mastery of horseback riding and archery

• The alliance they formed with Western Europe

• They developed a sophisticated system of training conquered people by sending them to the Steppe to train

The Pax Mongolica had an impact beyond trade and stability. What was one of its most significant long-term effects?

• It helped establish Mongol as the dominant written language across Eurasia.

• It allowed for the rapid transmission of ideas, technologies, and diseases across Eurasia.

• It led to the permanent adoption of Mongol law codes in Europe.

• It established a caste system that favored Mongol elites in all conquered territories.

Which aspect of Mongol governance most helped expand global trade?

• Their practice of keeping trade routes unguarded to encourage commerce

• The Mongol legal system (Yassa) that provided security and stability for merchants

• Their requirement that merchants swear loyalty to the Khan before trading

• The Mongol policy of controlling all trade through a single government-run market

The Mongol Empire began to decline due to succession struggles after Genghis Khan’s death. What fundamental weakness in Mongol political tradition contributed to this instability?

• The Mongols had no system for peacefully transitioning power, leading to civil wars.

• The Mongols never developed a centralized government, leaving power in local hands.

• Genghis Khan’s grandsons divided the empire but never fought for control.

• Mongol leaders refused to adopt administrative techniques from other civilizations.

Which characteristic allowed the Mongols to rapidly create a system of governance?

• Their ability to adapt and incorporate administrative practices from conquered civilizations

• Their reliance on a strict, centralized bureaucracy modeled after the Roman Empire

• Their refusal to adopt foreign customs, maintaining purely Mongol traditions

• Their governance was decentralized, leaving most decisions to local tribal leaders

Genghis Khan’s early life experiences shaped his leadership style. What aspect of his childhood likely contributed to his ability to unite the Mongol tribes?

• He was trained in diplomacy by his father, who was a powerful Mongol chieftain.

• His family’s struggle for survival after his father’s death taught him resilience and the importance of alliances.

• He was raised as a hostage in a rival Mongol clan, where he learned enemy tactics.

• His formal military training in China helped him understand siege warfare.