Mongols and Aztecs: Empires
from 1200-1500
I. Mongol Empire
II. Aztec Empire
IDs: Chinggis Khan, (c. 1155-1227), flower
songs, tribute
Comparison of Empires
Mongol Empire
Aztec Empire
I. Mongols
A. Huge empire by
conquest
Largest land
empire in world
history
B. Origins on frontier
• Steppe
nomads
• tribal division
• tribal wars
ger (yurt)
C. Unity of tribes by personality &
ideology
Chinggis
(Genghis)
Khan, 11551227
Temujin
Tengri
Transforms tribal
division to
Mongol
identity
Mongol Empire, ca. 1280
D. Military Strength/Fearsome
Reputation
ponies
bows
60 miles/
per day
E. Attacking more
civilized/settled peoples
Kubilai Khan
• Conquers
Southern
Song
dynasty in
1280
• founds
Yuan
dynasty
• Adoption of
Chinese
culture
• Difficulty of
control (too
few Mongols)
F. Tribute Systems
• Wealth, horses, grain,
etc.
• Manpower
• Taxed trade
G. Loosely
structured,
unstable
conquest state
Using officials
from different
cultures
(Persian or
Central Asian
officials used in
China)
H.Unity Imposed on Central AfroEurasia: Peace” & Trade
Travel: Marco Polo & Ibn Battuta
II. Aztecs
Mesoamerican
city-states
Toltec
Mixtec
Zapotec
Maya
A. Empire of Conquest
1. Conquest (14281530)
B. Aztec Frontier Origins
Semi-nomadic
Chichimecs from
northern desert
• Méxica
• Aztlán
Establishment at Lake Texcoco
• Toltecs
• Mercenaries
• Tenochtitlán
Tenochtitlán
C. United by Religious Ideology:
Huitzilpochtli (sun)
D. Military Strength/Fearsome
Reputation
E. Attacking more
civilized/settled peoples
F. Tribute Systems
G. Loosely structured, unstable
state
• Instablity
• Revolts
H. Alternative Religious
Ideology: Quetzalcoatl
Nezahualcoyotl
King of Texcoco
Flower songs
Childbirth
Childhood