How Did Mongol Rule Over The Great Khanate

Mongol rule over the Great Khanate in China (1271-1368) and the Golden Horde in Russia (1240-1502) affected both the political and economic aspects of the original empires. Politically, the Mongols enforced their own, new government in order to fit their attitudes toward the conquered people. Economically, actions taken by the Mongol elite were performed with the goal of producing a profit with the help of the resources and people already in the conquered region. The significant political and economic changes brought by Mongol rule to the Great Khanate and the Golden Horde differed, ultimately determining the success of each.

In order to maintain their power over their subjects, the Mongols had to create a government that favored them and weakened

the abilities of the people they conquered. Both the Great Khanate and the Golden Horde adopted an administrative system that gave Mongols like Khublai Khan and Chingis Khan the bulk of power, with little room in politics for the previous rulers. The selective positions in government allowed the Mongols to maintain their control without the interference of the original people living in China and Russia. In addition, the Mongols created similar strong central governments in each which aided in protecting their power. The centralization was extremely important in making it easier for the Mongols to keep track of their vast empires. In the Great Khanate, many Mongol elite joined Lamaist Buddhism because it recognized them as legitimate rulers. Instead of taking a religious approach, the Golden Horde Mongols utilized the yam system which set up posts throughout the empire for authorized people, assisting in holding tight control over the empire. The respect religious claims demanded and the frequent presence of convenient posts for governmental envoys contributed to the
success of maintaining control of both empires. However, an empire is only truly successful if it has a strong economy to substantial profits.
Both Great Khanate Mongols and Golden Horde Mongols used their conquered subjects as a means of earning necessary money. The land of both regions was vital in allowing natural resources to be a major part of their economies. Agriculture’s presence in trade proved the important role of the Mongols in shaping trade in China and Russia. Though they had the resources for profitable trade, the Golden Horde Mongols chose instead to use a steppe economy, away from their subjects, rather than blending their own economic interests with those of the natives like the Great Khanate Mongols. A main factor in the Russians’ defeat of the Mongols was the disconnect between rulers and subjects in the Golden Horde economy. The Golden Horde instead found their revenue using census tabulation as a means for collecting taxes, while the Great Khanate’s attempt at this was met with accusations of corruption and political scandals. The revenue from the taxes in Russia made up for the Mongols’ lack of involvement in trade, therefore establishing their effect on Russian economy while also regaining a connection between the rulers and subjects. The positive economic effects on the Great Khanate and the Golden Horde empires not only established a lasting source of profit, but also provided a support system behind the relationship between ruler and subject.
The presence of Mongols in China and Russia allowed the production of new governments and economies fit to their desires. Centralized governments with Mongols in control ensured the continuation of Mongol rule. The usage of their new land and subjects also gave the Mongols a reliable source for building a strong economy. Thus, Mongol rule provided the foundations of a successful society to both the Chinese and Russian regions.