The formation of the Mongol Empire

In the thirteenth century, the Mongols, a group of nomadic tribes of Central Asia is out to
conquer the world and formed the largest empire in history. In 1206, the Mongol leader
Temujin met under his command all the Mongol tribes of Central Asia and was proclaimed
Chief Absolute with the name of Genghis Khan (1162-1227). Once consolidated his power,
Genghis Khan began the conquest of Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The fundamental
instrument for the Mongol expansion was his army, distinguished by its magnificent
cavalry, archers its experts and its peculiar military strategies. The Mongol army became
synonymous with terror in Asia and Europe. The cities that resisted their attacks were razed
and its population massacred.
The imperial administration
To manage your empire, Genghis Khan absolute authority of divine origin claimed. It also
established legal code as the Great Yasa, a set of rules of Mongolian origin which served to
control the lives of the people who were under his authority. The organization of his empire
had the following characteristics:
1 Pragmatism and simplicity. His legislation was simple. The Mongols introduced many
changes in societies dominated. Generally they respected the customs of the conquered.
Even, in some cases, it was they who sought adapt, as in China.
2. Plurality and meritocracy. The criterion for promotion in the army or bureaucracy was
efficiency. Therefore, the empire had officials from various ethnic groups (Chinese, Arabs,
Persians, Turks, etc.) and religious (Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, etc.) origins.
Division and expansion of the empire
After the death of Genghis Khan in 1227, his successors continued the expansion of the
empire. By this, they underwent Sung China. To the west, they reduced to vassalage to the
Russian principalities and Islamic states in the Middle East. At the end of the thirteenth
century, the Mongols ruled an empire of 32 million square kilometers that housed half of
humanity. However, the rivalry between the successors of Genghis Khan led to the division
of the empire in four states:
1. Jagatai Khanate. He occupied the core of Asia. In the fourteenth century, it had a new
phase of expansion under the command of Tamerlane.
2. Empire Iljanes. He understood Persia, Mesopotamia and Armenia. It lasted until the
sixteenth century when the Persian Safavid dynasty assumed control of the country.
3. Khanate of the Golden Horde. It was established in the territories of Russia today. In 1480
it came under the rule of Ivan III, prince of Muscovy.
4. Empire of the Great Khan. Including Mongolia and China. Under the command of Kublai
Khan he assimilated to Chinese culture and adopted the name of Yuan.