Who Were the Mongols?

The Mongol Empire existed during the 13th and 14th centuries, and they eventually became the
largest contiguous empire in history. They violently conquered large parts of Asia, but became
peaceful leaders.

What Were the Impacts of the Mongols?

Good:
● Displacement of the conquered people who didn’t want to be ruled by the Mongols
actually helped the spread of ideas and different cultures around the world.
● The Mongols re-opened and revived the Silk Road and also provides protection.
● Promoted the movement of people and ideas from one end of Eurasia to the other.
● Trade routes greatly improved.
● Market expanded and demand for products grew.
● Allowed local cultures to survive and continue to develop.
● Russia, China, Iran, Korea, and Japan benefited from the Mongol economic and cultural
exchange.
● The Mongols had good contact with other religions like Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism,
and Islam. They also welcomed other religions into their empire.
● Growth of long-distance trade under the Mongols led to significant transfer of military and
scientific knowledge between Europe, the Middle East, Iran, China, and Japan.
● Took in non-Mongols to their military for their benefit.

Bad:
● The nomads would make war on the settled agriculturalists if they didn’t give them what
they wanted.
● The Mongols conquered all of North China and were threatening the Southern Song as
well.
● Annam and Champa were forced to pay tribute to the Yuan.
● Could easily take advantage of rivalries among their empires by putting them against
one another in battle.
● The Mongols had a huge reputation for slaughtering all those who did not surrender to
their ruled.
● They were known to be very violent conquerors.
● Because they reopened the Silk Road again, the Bubonic Plague had a much better way
to be passed across the world. It spread over the trade routes of the Mongol Empires
and on to the rest of Europe and Asia. The plague was transferred to Central and North
China, Central Asia, to Kaffa, and from there to the Mediterranean world.