1) In what ways did the Xiongnu, Arabs, Turks, and Berbers impact world history? (CCOT)
The Xiongnu was one of the early nomadic empires in history, living north of China on the
Mongolian steeps. They created a centralized, hierarchical political system with a military
confederacy that was widespread due to the threats of the Chinese. The social classes were
also more pronounced, with the elite and rulers gaining divine status. They forced Hans to view
them not as barbarians but as equals. They constructed a way to rule an empire that the Turks
and Mongols later employed. Nomadic people were part of the reason for the collapse and
restoration of Chinese and Roman civilizations.
The Arabs could use saddles to ride camels, allowing them to control Arabian trade routes. The
nomads were the earliest followers and military force that established the Arab empire. In
addition, the Arabs were hugely responsible for the emergence of Islam, the world's most
extensive and diverse religious tradition.
The Turks migrated from the north in Mongolia and southern Siberia, moving westwards. Like
the Xiongnu, they were various tribes ruled by a supreme ruler Kaghan. They raided China,
Persia, and the Byzantine empire while allowing and trading with common enemies. Agrarian
Turkic culture also spread throughout Eurasia. They converted to Islam between the tenth and
fourteen centuries, where they served as slave soldiers for the Abbasid caliphate and then took
power when the caliphate collapsed. The Turks spread Islam to new areas like North India and
Anatolia, playing a vital role in Islam's heartland, cleaving cleaved empires from established
societies.
The Berbers in northwestern Africa, similar to the Turks, adopted Islam superficially after Ibn
Yasin returned from a "hajj." The movement soon led to the establishment of the Almoravid
Empire in Morocco, which later expanded toward Spain Spain and introduced refined Islamic
culture to the country. The state was wealthy from its control of Morroco's gold trade and
grain-producing Atlantic plans.
2) Why have historians often neglected pastoral peoples' role in world history? How would you
assess the perspective of this chapter toward the Mongols? Does it strike you as negative and
critical of the Mongols, as bending over backward to portray them in a positive light, or as a
balanced presentation (answer with details)?
Nomadic people weren't settled and didn't have written language or document events. Their
historical events depended on information on interactions with neighboring agricultural
civilizations - which eventually won over them; hence the source is not necessarily reliable. The
textbook covers the Mongols' frequently horrific invasion techniques and their exploitative
governments. However, it also places great importance on the Mongol Empire's status as a
business intermediate and exchanger of ideas. They also mentioned the Mongol army's
capibility, their horse riding skills along with their religious tolerance and adoption of culture.
3) In what different ways did Mongol rule affect (change) the Islamic world, Russia (what was
distinctive about Mongol rule in Russia), and China? (Can include a chart that was made for
HW) (Could be Comparative or Causation or CCOT) WOW!!!!
4) In what ways were the Mongols changed by China? (Causation)
The nomads controlled the northern part of China and destroyed it on a massive scale. The
South went through a less violent conquest, being more considerate towards the local
population. Landowners could still own properties in exchange for non-aggression from the
Mongols. They unified China, and under the elite's eyes, a unified China was a significant
benefit, believing that the Mongols were lawful rulers that were given the Mandate of Heaven.
The Mongols didn't want to destroy China but rather gain wealth through China. They
established the Yuan dynasty, moving their capital from Karakorum to Beijing, creating
Khanbalik. However, they were not used to ruling an agrarian society, so they used China's
administration, tax, and postal system. Khubilai Khan also set out some rules to set in order,
granting the Chinese some rights while prohibiting the Mongols from doing harm to the Chinese.
They employed traditional Confucian rituals, aiding in building Daoist temples and support for a
Tibetan form of Buddhism, giving them political support.
Despite these, their rule was generally harsh. The Chinese were not very fond of the Mongols
as their culture differed, and the Mongols did not take in the Chinese ways bur rather preferred
their own traditional methods of living. Their livestock was left to wander around the cities, and
they lived in tents instead of houses. The Mongols did not use the civil exam system; instead,
they employed Muslims in Central Asia and the middle east as officials. The laws discriminated
against the Chinese and placed merchants and artisans far higher on the social hierarchy than
Confucianism did.
5) What kinds of cross-cultural interactions did the Mongol Empire generate? In what respects
did it foster Eurasian integration?
The Mongolian empire, spanning far broad, also acted as a massive Eurasian network
spreading from China to the Near East, covering most of Eurasia; they interconnected many
regions into a single interacting network, arguably the world's first globalization attempt. In
addition, Mongols would benefit from taxing the trade; thus, they promoted internal commerce
actively.
The Great Khan attracted merchants to the capital of Karakorum by buying their goods at a
much higher price. They also standardized weights and measures, gave financial aid, and
reduced taxes to merchants. With most of the Silk Road under the Mongol's control, it was
relatively safe to travel across Eurasia. Marco Polo (questionable) was one of a few European
travelers making their way across. However, Europe largely remained ignorant of the Eastern
side of the world until later on.
Apart from trade, the Mongols also sparked diplomatic relations across Eurasia. Along with the
occupation of Russia, they also invaded Poland, Germany, and Hungary. Still, they have yet to
conquer them since the Great Khan Ogodei died, and western Europe could not accommodate
the pasture needs of the Mongols. They sparked fear within Europe, making them dispatch
delegates to learn about Mongol intentions, secure their aid against Islam, and convert them to
Christianity. They failed, as the Great Khan Guyuk demanded Europeans submit to him.
However, these trips brought back information about eastern lands and expanded their
knowledge. They later had the alliance to take over Jerusalem, but Persian Mongolian
conversion to Islam ended the anti-Muslim coalition.
Persia and China developed close links inside the empire, exchanging ambassadors, sharing
information, growing trade, and exchanging skilled workers. These exchanges greatly benefited
Europeans since they were less technologically developed. The introduction of better
technology, new crops, and new knowledge of the wider world laid a foundation for Europe's
rapid rise in the following centuries.
6) Disease changes societies. How might this argument apply to the plague? (Causation)
Along with the massive increase in movement throughout Afro-Eurasia was the plague carried
with it. Society structure was hugely impacted by the diseases back then; there were no
antibiotics, and Europe hadn't developed medicine far enough to understand the cause. The
plague caused many deaths; up to half of Europe died during this period. Houses and cities
were empty, properties were ruined, and dead bodies were piling up everywhere. Society
wanted to seek answers, but no philosophers, historians, or physicians could answer them, and
this led to hatred towards certain groups of people like the Jews.
The population loss caused labor shortages that provoked conflict between workers and the
rich. The workers demanded higher pay and conditions since there were now few to provide
food for the people, undermining the practice of Serfdom. A series of peasants revolts due to
this happened in the 14th century. The labor shortage created a need for more efficient methods
incentivizing technological innovations, causing more women to be in the workforce and,
ultimately, gaining a higher place in society.
The diseases also changed how societies approached trade. Fearing catching diseases and the
desire to skip Muslim Intermediaries from the east, many civilizations turned toward the Indian
Ocean trade route. The reduced volume of trade through the silk road significantly impacted the
Mongol empire as trade was a significant source of income for them, reflected in their loss of
control of China, Persia, and Russia.