Major Mongol Leaders

Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan was the founder of the Mongol Empire. He is considered one of the most successful military commanders in world history. He was cruel and murdrous to his enemies and loyal to those who followed him which made him a great leader. In his early years as a leader he introduced a new written code of law called the Yasak.

"Conquering the world on horseback is easy; it is dismounting and governing that is hard"

- Genghis Khan

Who was Ghengis Khan?

His biggest accomplishment was establishing and leading the Mongol Empire (which was considered the largest land empire in history). He began to launch large-scale wars. He conquered China (Western Xia, Jin, and Song dynasties), Central Asia, and other countries to the far west into Eastern Europe. BYbthe time he died, he controled almost 1/3 of Asia. He created the first Mongol postage and writing system. He created the most powerful cavalry. Genghis Khan created the first artillery which was supposedly gunpowder. The expansion of trade with Asia and Estern Europe introduced new merchandise.

What was his legacy?:

It was leaving a vast empire for his descendants, laying the foundation for the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) and the reunification with China. Before he died he made 3 wills. One was anncouncing his successor, Ogedei Khan. He decreed a conintued attack on Western Xia and destruction on Jin.

Accomplishments

What was done differently, did they continue large attacks on surrounding areas etc.

Ogedei Khan: Genghis and Ogedei Khan both had successful military campaigns and conquered many parts of Europe.

Kublai Khan: Growing up as a kid Kublai Khan was very exposed to military skills and knowledge. He was not as successful as his grandfather because he failed to reconcile his dual roles and ruler. Genghis Khan was a leader who did not abuse his money and power comapred to Kublai Khan who had a very expensive lifestyle.

Comparison to other leaders

Kublai Khan

Who was Kublai Khan?

Kublai Khan was the grandson of Ghengis Khan and the ruler of the Mongol empire for over 30 years. As a young boy, he was taught the art of warfare and became a skilled warrior and hunter.

When he became the Great ruler, he adopted many Chinese systems and ideas. He also established a social hierarchy that placed Mongols at the top and Chinese peasantry at the bottom. In addition he launched a series of many unsuccessful military campaigns that were financed by manual labor of the Chinese peasantry.

Later in life Kublai Khan developed excessive drinking and eating habits, especially after the death of on of his wives and a son. He died in February 1294, at the age of 79. The rule of the Yaun dynasty ruled for the next 30 years until Chinese uprising in 1368.

One of his qualities that made him a successful leader was that he treated the people he conquered with restraint.

His biggest accomplishment was establishing Mongol rule in China (conquered China in 1279) under the name of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), becoming the first non-Chinese to rule the whole of that country. He founded his capital at Xanadu (Shangdu) and established Daidu (Beijing) as its successor. - Unifying all of China.

He was partially responsible for the development of "dual principle" political theory - the parity of power and dignity of religion and state in political affair. As ruler, he made paper money the sole medium of exchange.

Accomplishments

Genghis Khan: Both came from the same dynasty and family, and were both considered great Mongol Emperors. They both greatly expanded the size of the empire through military conquests, although some of Kublai's unsuccessful campaigns.

Ogedei Khan: Ogedei was far more successful than Kublai Khan considering that he was the successor of Genghis Khan. I believe Ogedei Khan was a greater leader because he was there to learn from his father and was very like-minded to one of the greatest Mongol Emperors, Genghis Khan.

Comparison to others

Ogedei Khan

Ogedei Khanan was the thired son born to Genghis Khan by his one wife, Borte. Genghis Khan chose him as his successor because of his even tempermant and often made peace when his two older brothers fought. Ogedei's main task as Khan was to preserve and build on what his father had achieved. Starting in 1229 under his rule, the Mongols extended the boundaries of the empire, with successful campaigns in Persia, the Caucasus, and Russia. He personally led one of the three armies that captured northern China from the Jin Dynasty in 1234.

Ogedei Khan later died in life due to excessive drinking in December 1241.

Who was Ogedei Khan?

Ogedei Khan was very successful in building upon what his father achieved.

One of his accomplishments was shifting the Mongol Empire's tactics from exploitative military occupation toward government and taxation of conquered areas. He built a captial at Karakorum in Mongolia during the 1230s and constructed a very effective relay system to transmit messages across Eurasia.

After he died in 1241, Mongol armies on the western front, who had reached Hungary, turned back after recieving news of his death, putting an end to the empire's European conquests.

Accomplishments

Genghis Khan: Considering that Genghis Khan chose Ogedei as his successor, they were both extremely successful in expanding the Mongol Empire, especially into European territory.

Kublai Khan: Kublai unified China once again after being divided for so many years. Ogedeis greatest accomplishmnet is defeating the long-time enemy of the Mongols, the Jin state of northern China.

Comparison to others