Two Social Classes - nobles and commoners Nobles did little governing, leaders passed nobility to their heirs, but could lose it if they weren't good leaders Commoners could win recognition as leaders if they showed courageous behavior during war. Nomads sought trade with settled people Trade was small scale looking for agricultural products and manufactured goods Nomads also participated in long distance trade, they traded across Central Asia and linked settled societies from China to Mediterranean.
In the tenth century the Turks living near the Abbasid empire began to turn to Islam. They migrated into large settled societies and expanded the Islamic society. The expansion took place when nomadic leaders organized confederations led by a ruler, or khan. The khan ruled through leaders in the allied tribes. They were able to organize a strong military. Nomadic warriors were expert equestrians and were extremely accurate with arrows. They were strategic to overtake their enemies. The Saljuq Turks took over the Abbasid caliphs in the mid Eleventh century. They ultimately took over Antatolia and spread expanded their Islam society.
Genghis Khan had been abandoned by his father's allies after his father was killed. He lived in poverty and was eventually captured by a rival and kept on a wooden cage. He escaped and made an alliance with a prominent Mongol leader. He mastered the art of steppe diplomacy by which he displayed courage in battle, built alliances, betrayed alliances to move up. He eventually brought all of the Mongol tribes single confederation. In 1206 an assembly of Mongol leaders recognized him as Genghis Khan or "universal ruler".
Genghis Khan's strengthened the Mongol people. He broke up the tribes and forced them into new military units. He chose leaders not based on their kinship or tribal status but rather their talents and allegiance to him.
After Genghis Khan's death the empire broke into 4 regions. The great khans ruled China, descendants of Chaghatai one of his sons, ruled Central Asia. Persia was ruled by ilkhans and khans of the Golden Horde ruled Russia. The consolidation of Mongol rule came from Khubilai Khan, one of Genghis Khans grandsons. He was the best leader of his descendants. He unleashed ruthless attacks against enemies, but also worked to improve the life of his subjects and bring culture to their society. He promoted Buddhism and supported Christianity, Daoists and Muslims.