AP World History
Coach Schmidt
The Trial of Genghis Khan
Nomads from the Eurasian steppes, the Mongols created the largest contiguous land empire in
world history during the 13th and 14th centuries. Under their rule, Central Asia became a crucial
global crossroads. But who were the Mongols? Were they bloodthirsty marauders, destroyers of
cities, slayers of innocents? Or were they promoters of trade, supporters of cultural exchange,
connectors of East and West?
Genghis Khan founded the Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous land empire in
world history. But was he civilized? Now, you will decide this issue as Genghis Khan
goes on trial before “The Court of History”!
The Indictment: Genghis Khan and his descendants were uncivilized conquerors
and rulers in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Roles
Attorneys:
Prosecution attorney:
“Team captain” of the prosecution. Will try to convince jurors that the evidence
supports the indictment. Will study the evidence and organize the case.
Defense attorney:
“Team captain” of the defense. Will try to convince jurors that the evidence does
not support the indictment. Will study the evidence and organize the case.
Defendant:
Genghis Khan:
Will testify at the trial.
Witnesses:
Will testify at the trial.
List of possible witnesses to choose from for the defense and prosecution.
Defense: 1) Mongol warrior/general
6) Historian Rashad al-Din
2) Mongol woman
7) Silk Road merchant
3) Kublai Khan
8) Marco Polo
4) Historian Juvaini
5) Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, Persian philosopher/scientist/Mathematician
Prosecution: 1) Balkh shopkeeper
2) Historian Ibn al-Athir
3) Muhammad II, sultan of Khwarazm
4) Qutuz, Mamluk sultan of Egypt
5) Mstislav III, prince of Kiev
6) Mustasim, calph of Baghdad
7) Chinese Confucian scholar
8) Chinese soldier
9) Pope Innocent IV
Some Advice for “The Court of History
Attorneys
1. have a couple of the witnesses as assistant lawyers.
2. Remember that you are the “team captain.” Work with all witnesses on your team to
make sure that communication is clear and that the testimony is coordinated.
3. Work with witnesses in preparing questions. Remember that there are limits on how
many questions may be asked during direct examination and cross-examination.
These limits will be enforced by the judge.
4. Opening/closing statements should be clear and concise. Do not exceed time limits.
5. On the first day of the trial, give the judge two copies of your direct examination
questions. The judge will keep one copy and one copy to the opposing side.
Witnesses
1. Work closely with your attorney. Exchange personal contact information and be
available for necessary conferences with teammates prior to the trial.
2. Write a witness sheet that clearly identifies your character and his/her connection to
Genghis Khan and/or his descendants. The witness sheet should contain the
testimony you plan to deliver at the trial.
3. When on the witness stand, make sure you are audible--if you tend to be soft-spoken,
this is one time you need to speak louder! Maintain eye contact with the
attorneys and jury.
4. Answer questions accurately and directly.
5. On the first day of the trial, bring three copies of your witness sheet: one for
for yourself, one for your attorneys, and one for the judge.
To Attorneys and Witnesses
1. Bring all necessary papers with you to the courtroom. On the days of the trial,
you will not be allowed to print documents from the computer in the
courtroom.
2. The judge will carefully monitor the proceedings for historical accuracy. If an
attorney or witness makes an honest but important mistake, the judge will
correct it swiftly and diplomatically. Minor errors will remain uncorrected.
Therefore, objections from the attorneys will be unnecessary.
3. If you have any questions, please ask Coach Schmidt, either in school or via
Google email, school e-mail, or home (if over Thanksgiving break).