How Important Were The Mongols

Mongol Invasion

The Mongol invasions of the 12th and 13th centuries were among the most world-altering political and military events of the pre-modern world, particularly had great impacts on China, Japan and Korea. Through analyzing the origins as well as process of its invasions, it is apparent to make a thesis that various reasons caused their continuous conquers, which also made a huge difference on the subsequent development of East Asian region. This following essay will discuss the historical event from the background (including internal and external), motivation, procedures, factors (military, geographical, political and social) to the effects.

Tracking back before the invasion, in the mid-twelfth century, the Mongols were just one

The most obvious influence should be the change of regime. Under the effort of Chinggis’s grandson Khubilai (r. 1260– 1294), the Mongols completed their conquest of Korea and China, while failed at controlling Japan. By enforcing strict and fierce policies on controlled areas, the political effect was rapid and straight – the ‘Han Stream’ was denied, instead, military force was welcomed and praised. Once they had conquered a territory, the Mongols were going to incorporate those they had conquered into their armies and governments, and forced them to accept their way of managing a country. As they were called ‘the horseback nation’, the northern nomadic pastoralists saw military as the only way to conquer a region, even a nation. So violent attack was enforced throughout the conquest rather than conciliation strategy. Under such high-handed policies implementation, the whole society was influenced, including ordinary people’s normal life. The characteristics of their unique military warfare way shaped their determined and brave characteristics. Armed with swords, lances, and javelins, Mongol soldiers had to be able to ride for days without cooking any food; they would carry a supply of dried milk curd and cured meat, which could be supplemented by blood let from the neck of their horses. When time permitted, the soldiers would pause to hunt, adding to their food dogs, wolves, foxes, mice, and rats (pp. 165). Along with the impacts of diet customs, cultural influence was imperceptible but profound, for example, the way Mongols spoke actually is what current Chinese called ‘northern dialect’ (Putong Hua); while before Mongols came, the official language was today’s Cantonese. In addition, new lifestyle was forcibly introduced: traditional long sleeve was transformed into tunic, so as to accustom the habits of the nomadic herdsmen.