Nomadic Empires and Eurasian Integration

Nomadic Society on Trade

• Avidly sought trade with settled people
• Nomads sought after manufactured goods for their needs
• Participated in long distance trade 
• Very prominent on the caravan routes of Central Asia.

Turkish Military Expansion

• Leaders or Khans would organize a vast confederation.
• Outstanding calvary forces. (horseback soldiers)
• Mobile and ranged soldiers with deadly accuracy.
• Saljuq Turks defeated the Byzantine Empire (Manzikert)

How did Genghis Khan obtain his power? As a young child, Genghis Khan would constantly learn the ropes of political leadership and obtained a strong political background. As he grew older, he was able to climb the social rank ladder to the point that he lead a confederate army. Once he was supreme ruler, he constantly conquered the land around him.

How were the Mongols politicaly organized?

• Forced men of fighting age to join the military
• Chose men based on their loyalty and their talents
• Capital located at Karakorum 
• Did not trust other tribe allies due to personal betrayal

Kubali Khan

• Ruthless attacks against enemies
• Worked on improving the welfare of his subjects
• Spent 4 years fighting off contenders 
• Extended rule all the way to China 
• Defeated the Song dynasty and established the Yuan dynasty