Mongol Essay Example

When you first hear the word Mongol, the immediate image that comes to mind is that of a fearsome and ruthless warrior. This reputation helped the Mongols conquer and rule the largest empire in history which spanned from China to Europe. While the rise of the Mongols is largely attributed to the emergence of their famed leader, Genghis Khan, the Mongol Empire itself would have lasting effects on China, Korea, and Japan even after his death. The Mongols would occupy Koryo Korea, defeat the Southern Song Dynasty to occupy China, and attempt to invade and conquer Japan on two occasions under the guidance of Kublai Khan. These aggressive maneuvers by the Mongol Empire would have significant ramifications on the development of China, Korea, and Japan. The Mongols were one of many nomadic tribes located on the Asian Steppes. However, before their historic rise under the leadership of Genghis Khan they were divided, quarrelsome, and weak. Genghis Khan was initially known as Temujin before he became leader of the Mongol Empire. Temujin rose to power after the death of his father, who shared a blood bond with the Khan of the Kereyits. The Kereyits were another group of nomads located on the Asian Steppes. Temujin killed Begter, his half-brother, and gained control of his father’s tribe. Temujin would go on to marry Borte of the Ongirat tribe, but shortly after his marriage Borte would be kidnapped by the Merkits. As Temujin’s tribe was a vassal state of the Kereyits he approached the Khan of the Kereyits to aid in the rescue of his wife and for the Kereyits to avenge the insult on their vassal state. With the help of the Kereyits and Jamukha, his childhood friend, Temujin was able to defeat the Merkits and rescue his wife. This military victory was enough to have Temujin declared Khan of the Mongols, thus he became Genghis Khan. It is important to note that at this stage the Mongols were extremely weak and had few numbers. Thus the Mongols took little part in the