Mongols and Aztecs: Empires from 1200-1500

I. Mongol EmpireII. 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, 1155-1227

TemujinTengriTransforms tribal

division to Mongol identity

Mongol Empire, ca. 1280

D. Military Strength/Fearsome Reputation

poniesbows60 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 Afro-Eurasia: Peace” & Trade

Travel: Marco Polo & Ibn Battuta

II. Aztecs

Mesoamerican city-states

ToltecMixtecZapotecMaya

A. Empire of Conquest

1. Conquest (1428-1530)

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

NezahualcoyotlKing of TexcocoFlower songs

Childbirth

Childhood