How Did The Mongols Able To Conquer The Xi Xia

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The Xi Xia, also known as the Western Xia Dynasty was a kingdom populated by the Tanguts. As a fairly small state, Xi Xia struggled for dominance with its larger and more powerful neighbors, the Liao, the Jin, and the Song dynasty. Afterward, the Mongol Empire emerged and saw the benefits of taking over Xi Xia. The Mongols launched their first invasion on Xi Xia in 1209, but the Xi Xia was able to withstand it. However, in 1227, the Mongols were able to succeed in taking over Xi Xia with a complete annihilation. The Mongols were able to conquer Xi Xia because of their motivation in conquering Xi Xia, the Mongols’ informants that were sent throughout China, the vulnerability of Xi Xia’s location, the Mongols’ alliance with the Ongut, the …show more content…

They were able to expand their territory and made other states acknowledged them and became their vassals. Genghis Khan and the Mongols saw themselves as victorious and the Xia Dynasty was becoming more and more pressured because it was isolated by the Mongols. Kingdoms in China bowed down to the Mongol Empire with the Uighur as an ally, willingly supported the Mongols, and other small states that were dominated by the Mongols before, such as the Kara-Khitai submitted to the power of the Mongol Empire. As a result, the Xi Xia would not be able to receive any help when the Mongols attack them. The Mongols could also simply request for reinforcements from those states when they need it. Moreover, the reinforcements will come to aid the Mongols in a short amount of time because they are close to Xi …show more content…

This is because there was an internal turmoil emerged in Xi Xia. The dynasty itself had to pay tribute to the Mongols annually which had made its situation worse in encountering the Mongols. The policy of the cooperation between Xi Xia and the Mongols was disagreed by powerful voices in the Xi Xia court. On the other hand, the conflict between Xi Xia and Jin Dynasty had caused problems in Xi Xia which had affected it in unstable politic and failing economy. All of these had led to the failing of Xi Xia’s government which will benefit the Mongols in taking over it.
In the last campaign over Xi Xia, Genghis Khan died but the Mongols hid his death from Xi Xia to overcome any possibilities of getting counter attack. The tenacity of the Mongols to adapt to their ruler’s death kept them moving to conquer Xi Xia. Conversely, Xi Xia was well-aware of Genghis Khan and his terrible vengeance. Because of its previous betrayal to the Mongols, Genghis Khan swore to take Xi Xia down, so Xi Xia was mentally disturbed by Genghis Khan’s wrath. In order to maintained Xi Xia’s fear to the Mongols, they kept secret of Genghis Khan’s death and continued the

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