The Mongol Empire's Rise and Fall

Pre-Empire - Divide and Rule

Period: 1130 to 1206

The Chinese Jin Dynasty ruled over territory that the Mongols occupied (Mongolian steppes) and was made up of different tribal confederations; the Keraites, Khamag Mongol's, Naiman's, Mergid's, and Tatar's. They encouraged disputes between these tribes to keep them focused on fighting each other instead of the Jin.

Genghis Khan is Born

1165

Genghis Khan or Temüjin, which was his birth name (meaning "of iron"), was born marking the beginning of the unification and expansion of the Mongol Empire. Little is known of his childhood or even when he was born since there is little written records. Temüjin gained political power by becoming an advisor to Toghril, the Khan of Kereits, which was the dominant tribe in Mongolia. Photo: https://www.biography.com/.image/t_share/MTE4MDAzNDEwNTM0NDk5ODU0/genghis-khan-wc-9308634-1-402.jpg

Temüjin Defeats Toghril

1203

While playing a central role in Mongolian politics by advising Toghril, the Khan of the dominant tribe, Temüjin gains a large following making him a major leader among the tribes. This following upsets Toghril and causes the two men to part ways. Eventually they begin fighting each other, and in 1203 Temüjin emerges as the victor making him the main leader in early Mongol politics. Photo: https://www.realmofhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Incredible_Facts_Mongol_Warrior-1.jpg

Temüjin Removes all Rivals

1204

By this time, Temüjin has defeated all of his rivals in Mongolia making him the dominant leader. Photo: https://listverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/feature-genghis-khan.jpg

Temüjin Unites the Tribes

1206

By 1206, Temüjin has unified all the tribes of Mongolia creating the Khamag Mongol Ulus (All Mongol State). His followers recognize him as the sole authority in Mongolia and give him the title Genghis Khan (Resolute Ruler). He dissolves old tribal lines and regroups them into armies as he sees fit. Unlike past Mongolian armies, Temüjin instills discipline into them making them a more efficent fighting force. Photo: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Mongol_Empire_c.1207.png

The Mongols Conquer Xixia

1209

By 1209, the Mongols conquered the Tangut kingdom of Xixia beginning their expansion beyond Mongolia. Photo: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Song-Liao-Xixia-1111.png

The Mongols Expand into Central Asia

1209

In 1209, the Mongols pursued tribal leaders who had opposed Temüjin, leading them into Central Asia. All were defeated with the exception of some smaller groups such as the Uighurs of the Tarim Basin who became vassals. At this point the Mongol Empire bordered Chinese states and the Khwarazmian Empire which spanned over parts of Central Asia and the Islamic world. Photo: http://manofmillennium.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Mongol-warriors-1140x530.png

The Mongols Invade the Jin Empire

Period: 1211 to 1234

In 1211, the Mongols invaded the Jin Empire of Northern China. Beginning as just raids, they ended up holding the territory. Most of the Jin Empire fell by 1216, but resistance continued until 1234.

The Mongols Invade the Khwarazmian Empire

Period: 1218 to 1221

In 1218, after a Mongol sponsored caravan to Otrar was massacred, the Mongols began the conquest of the Khwarazmian's. The Mongol forces far exceeded their enemies in numbers and were very mobile due to their reliance on horseback. Because of this, the Khwarazmian's were not able to defend all of their territory and one by one their cities fell. To them it seemed as though their God had forsaken them. In 1221 the ruler fled leading to the annexation of much of their territory.

Otrar of Khwarezmia Falls

1219

Only a year after the leader of Otrar massacred a Mongolian caravan and Temüjin had declared war on the Khwarezmian Empire, the Mongols breached the walls of the city. Much of it's population either fled or were killed, and the city never fully recovered. Photo: http://www.travelokazakhstan.com/images/destination/1368199850_0!!-!!Otrar2640.jpg

Temüjin Dies

1227

While the Mongols were in Central Asia, Xixia rebelled against Mongol rule. Temüjin led an army against them, but while besieging its capital he died from unknown causes. He was buried in an unmarked grave, and all those the funeral procession came across while traveling back to Mongolia were killed. His cause of death is unknown as is his place of burial. Photo: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01600/Zavkhan_1600499c.jpg

Ögödei Ascends to the Throne

1230

In 1230, Temüjin's second son Ögödei ascended to the throne. Unlike his father who spread the message that he was the Scourge of God, Ögödei promoted the idea that Tengri (the sky god) had destined the Mongols to rule the world. He instructed his forces to deliver messages stating that God has declared it His will for the Mongols to rule over them and that they should submit to Mongol rule. Photo: http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/pop/figures/ogodei_large.jpg

Multiple Fronts Fall

1240

By 1240, under the reign of Ögödei, modern Iran, Armenia, Georgia, the Pontic steppes, the Caspian steppes, and the Jin Empire fell under the control of the Mongols. Modern Hungary and Poland also were invaded, but the Mongols didn't seek control of these areas. Instead they were ransacked and completely devastated. Photo: http://blog.hmns.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/siege-of-xixia-300-dpi-resize.jpeg

Ögedei Dies

1241

In 1241, Ögedei dies while drinking. Photo: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/%C3%96gedei_Khan_Statue.JPG

Güyük Ascends to the Throne

1246

In 1246, Ögödei's son Güyük ascended to the throne. During his brief reign he accomplished little. Photo: http://www.strangehistory.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/guyuk.jpg

Güyük Dies

1248

In 1248 Güyük died of unknown causes. His goal was to turn Mongol armies towards Europe, but died before he could accomplish it. Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%BCy%C3%BCk_Khan#/media/File:Guyuk_khan_from_Persian_miniature.jpg

Möngke Seizes Power

1251

In 1251, Möngke Tolui seized power via a coup which happened since their was little being done to choose a new Khan. Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B6ngke_Khan#/media/File:Audience_de_M%C3%B6ngke.jpeg

The Mongols Invade the Middle East and Southern China

1251

In 1251, with Möngke now in power, he turned the Mongol armies against the Middle East and Southern China. Photo: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/16/36/ce/1636ce4a5cbf05a283d1420b0b060c2f.jpg

Northern Iran Falls

1256

In 1256, Mongol forces defeated the Ismailis in Northern Iran, allowing them to take the remainder of Iran. Photo: http://www.iranvisitor.com/images/content_images/alamut-2.jpg

Siege of Baghdad and the Fall of Syria

1258

In 1258, Mongolian forces besieged Baghdad controlled by the Abbasid Caliphate. It is the worst siege in history, with casualties exceeding 2,500,000 just on the side of the Abbasid Caliphate. Mongolian casualties are unknown. In 1258 the remainder of Syria fell after the Mongols captured Aleppo and Damascus. After the death of Möngke in 1259, Mongolian forces withdrew from Syria altogether. Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Baghdad_(1258)#/media/File:Bagdad1258.jpg

Möngke Dies

1259

In 1259, Möngke died while overseeing the war in Southern China. His cause of death is uncertain. Photo: https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0fG-gPe-eMU/UI_S1r1J4MI/AAAAAAAAFO0/JBx_etL4Vq4/s1600/Mongke-Khan.jpg

Civil War Erupts

1259

With the death of Möngke and no clear line of succession, the Mongol Empire erupted into civil war. Territory was lost as his two brothers fought for the throne. Eventually, Kublai defeated him and ascended to the throne, but he was never able to regain full control of the different factions that made up the Mongol Empire. Photo: http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/images/FarEast/CentralAsia/Mongols_Warriors02_full.jpg

The Death of the Mongol Empire

1260

By the death of Möngke, the Mongol Empire had split into four different khanates, all separately pursuing its own agendas; the Golden Horde in the Northwest, the Chagatai Khanate in Central Asia, the the Ilkhanate in the Southwest, and the Great Khanate in the East. This marked the death of the Mongol Empire. Photo: https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-c66aea1352ee45e7aa2cf09aebaee7cd

The Conquest of the Song Dynasty

Period: 1260 to 1294

Under Kublai, the Mongol armies invaded and conquered the final remains of an independent China, the Song Dynasty. Kublai became the first foreigner to rule over all of China.

Kublai Ascends to the Throne

1264

In 1264, Kublai finally defeated his brother in their fight for the throne of the "Mongol Empire". By then however, the damage had already been done and the Mongol factions began to follow their own agendas. Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kublai_Khan#/media/File:YuanEmperorAlbumKhubilaiPortrait.jpg

Kublai Dies

1294

In 1294, Kublai Khan died of uncertain causes. His death marked the final nail in the Mongol Empire's coffin as it led to the true splitting of the empire. Photo: http://www.azquotes.com/public/pictures/authors/c8/4b/c84bc049e0c304467f6f0493cdcbaf5f/5492213c6277f_genghis_khan.jpg