DBQ: Attitudes Toward The Mongols
DBQ: Attitudes Toward the Mongols
Mongol invaders from the Central Asian steppe burst into relevance in the 1200s C.E. Driven by their leader, Genghis Khan, to conquer the largest land empire in history, the Mongols created mixed feelings throughout Eurasia. Some had an impressed attitude, admiring both the ability of the Mongols to organize and protect their empire, as well as their great wealth. However, others had a loathing attitude toward the Mongols, who were viewed as vicious and ignorant barbarians. Due to the great success of these conquering pastoralists, the attitudes of the people who encountered them were extremely diverse. A document written by a common Mongol soldier involved in the conquests would give more insight into …show more content…
Many who felt this way spent time in the capital city, seeing the huge empire function firsthand. The idea that Genghis Khan was a bringer or order and peace is evident, as shown by the Khan’s shaman, (Doc. 1). However, the shaman may have been influenced by his elite position in contact with the Khan himself. Writing in a book that was public, he may have intentionally praised Genghis Khan as a peace-bringer, as it could help advance his own position in the eyes of the Khan. Not only native Mongols, but also European visitors viewed the Mongols as a well-organized, productive force. The Mongols had an impressive system of accountability in the military, (Doc. 3) and good law enforcement in the cities, (Doc. 5). These statements indicate the belief that Mongol government was both just and disciplined. Lastly, some Muslims also held the Mongols in esteem for their good government, describing how it was possible to travel far and wide in their territories without fear of robbery, (Doc. 8). People in contact with and conquered by the Mongols were not only impressed by their ability to organize and provide peace to their empire, they were impressed by the vast wealth of the Mongols, as
Mongol invaders from the Central Asian steppe burst into relevance in the 1200s C.E. Driven by their leader, Genghis Khan, to conquer the largest land empire in history, the Mongols created mixed feelings throughout Eurasia. Some had an impressed attitude, admiring both the ability of the Mongols to organize and protect their empire, as well as their great wealth. However, others had a loathing attitude toward the Mongols, who were viewed as vicious and ignorant barbarians. Due to the great success of these conquering pastoralists, the attitudes of the people who encountered them were extremely diverse. A document written by a common Mongol soldier involved in the conquests would give more insight into …show more content…
Many who felt this way spent time in the capital city, seeing the huge empire function firsthand. The idea that Genghis Khan was a bringer or order and peace is evident, as shown by the Khan’s shaman, (Doc. 1). However, the shaman may have been influenced by his elite position in contact with the Khan himself. Writing in a book that was public, he may have intentionally praised Genghis Khan as a peace-bringer, as it could help advance his own position in the eyes of the Khan. Not only native Mongols, but also European visitors viewed the Mongols as a well-organized, productive force. The Mongols had an impressive system of accountability in the military, (Doc. 3) and good law enforcement in the cities, (Doc. 5). These statements indicate the belief that Mongol government was both just and disciplined. Lastly, some Muslims also held the Mongols in esteem for their good government, describing how it was possible to travel far and wide in their territories without fear of robbery, (Doc. 8). People in contact with and conquered by the Mongols were not only impressed by their ability to organize and provide peace to their empire, they were impressed by the vast wealth of the Mongols, as