Genghis Khan

Ahna Hoefler

Genghis Khan established the Mongol Nation, conquered most of the world, and has the reputation of one of the greatest military leaders of all time. Genghis Khan had brilliant tactics, was an excellent organizer, and knew how to control an army, which led him to achieving many victories. Although Genghis Khan murdered and plundered all across Asia, that does not lessen the impact he has had on the world and it does not mean he wasn't a great leader. A violent one...yes, but a successful leader as well. At the time of the rise of Genghis Khan, the Mongol tribes were disunited. They had a fiercely independent nature, a strong-held system of social rules, and they were shamanistic in religious beliefs. Their nomadic existence meant they relied on barter, rather than on money, but because of fighting between the tribes, they were economically poor. Even though the Mongols clearly recognized their own tribal connections and blood ties, there was still no Mongol Nation. The times were cruel, with execution being the usual punishment for transgressions. Wars were fought with no mercy for the opposing army and slavery was normal for conquered peoples. But on the other hand, the Mongols had an intense sense of loyalty, hated theft, had a history of the acceptance of beliefs and the way of life of others, and tended to be generous to the people they trusted. This background helped shape Temuchin, who later became Genghis Khan. Temuchin's first patron was Toghrol, one of the Keraits. Toghrul was probably the strongest leader amongst the Mongolian tribes at that point, although he was constantly under threat. When Temuchin's wife was abducted. Toghrul helped rescue her. But not everything went

Temuchin's way, with a major defeat in 1187, until he successfully attacked the Tartars in the year of 1196. Toghrul was given the name of Wang Khan. In 1203, Wang Khan died and Genghis assumed his title as King of the Keraits. Temuchin was soon elected to be Genghis Khan over all of the Mongolian tribes in 1206. Genghis Khan won many of his battles, including his defeat against Zongdu in 1215 and his defeat in 1221. Genghis' empire stretched from the Korean peninsula almost to Kiev, and south to the Indus. It was the largest land empire ever seen. He was now able to focus his time on establishing an effective administration of the Mongol Empire...which is what he did. Genghis Khan's value system was visible to all and he certainly... walked the talk. He totally shared his people's belief in the nomadic way of life, recognizing that, in war as in the hunt, botty is the main aim and winning was what really counted. However, material wealth did not matter much to him, as he shared EVERYTHING with his loyal supporters. He was seen as a most generous leader. As an individual he wanted power and he was a physically strong man, although he was probably not a hero in the sense of an outstanding fighter. He encouraged his supporters to be frank and speak without ceremony, and usually moderated his passion and anger with thoughtful responses. Genghis also demonstrated a liberal and tolerant attitude to the beliefs of others and never persecuted people on religious grounds. He let people believe what they wanted to believe and worship whom they wanted to worship. This proved to be a good military strategy, as when he was at war with Sultan Muhammad of Khwarazm, other Islamic leaders did not join the fight against Genghis because it was instead seen as a non-holy war between two individuals. Genghis, himself was illiterate and he understood the power of spreading ideas via the written word. He was responsible for the spread of the Uighurs script as the common Mongolian alphabet. He was relentless in learning new things, taking ideas from other countries

as often as he could. In other's eyes, this value of vengeance, being a common theme against enemies, may have not been the best idea. But it reflected his Mongol cultural heritage, and he slaughtered people with ease. Terror was always one of his principle weapons of war. He laid waste to entire cities and populations that resisted his armies, although he often by-passed others that submitted. Genghis understood what drove individuals and usually his strategies involved finding pyschological ways to undermine his enemies. He also recognized the values of his individual enemies. He would put to death a soldier who had been disloyal to him, however, he would pardon and even bestow honours and responsibility on those who had fought loyally for him. Genghis Khan's enablers included good use of military strategy and technology, a unique organization of army, promoting leaders on merit, not lineage, definite rules of engagement in war, and a clear administrative system for conquered peoples. Genghis organized his army into units of ten thousand not sorted by tribal affinity. This reduced the possibility of internal tension or fighting. He handpicked his commanders and relied on them for difficult tasks. All of his officers were instructed never to abuse their soldiers. Rules of engagement were clear to all and rigorously enforced. For example, if a soldier deserted his troops, he was executed. In terms of battle strategy, it seemed that there was little unique about Genghis' approach, building as it did on the Mongolian way of hunting. Genghis' legal code was firmly based on Mongol common law but written down and extended as cases arose. For his armies, rules were clear and tough. Theft of any kind led to execution, and adultery was also punishable by death. The decisions Genghis Khan made in his rise to power and while he ruled, never really left anything or anyone in too bad of terms that it was unable to be restored. He murdered all throughout Asia, yet never left those who did survive on the opposing side, to just suffer.

Genghis' moral values played a huge part in everything he did during the time he ruled. All of his choices, whether or not they seemed good or not at the time, really has impacted the world and most importantly Asia. He is the Father of the Nation in Mongolia and he established the Mongol Nation. He, alone, ruled the biggest empire ever created. All of his hard work really paid off. Genghis Khan was an incredibly smart leader. In fact one of the best of all time and he is like a God to many people in Asia. Evidence of a renewed romance with him is everywhere today! Children, streets, hotels, vodka, cigarettes, banks, candy bars, products, and businesses of almost every type all carry his face and his name on Mongolian money, stamps, and even official buildings. Genghis Khan conquered, established a code of law for the empire, was a great military leader, created a strong communication system, and so much more. Genghis' greatest accomplishments, however, cannot be counted in terms of territory or victories, but in the presence of the Mongol Nation and culture. Khan conquered more territory than any other and established the largest empire. Even today, his legacy continues in Asia and for without him...there would not be a Mongolia.

Works Cited:
Pocha, Jehangir. Asia Pacific. New York Times. 5-10-2005. New York Times, Web. 22 Feb 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/09/world/asia/09iht-mongol.html? R=1> Cliff Pickover. The Scales of Good and Evil. Sprott Physics. 2002. Cliff Pickover, Web. 22 Feb 2010. <http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/pickover/good.html>. Theodore, Geisel. Encyclopedia of World Leaders. Genghis Khan. 2010. Advameg Incorporations, Web. 22 Feb 2010. http://www.notablebiographies.com/Fi-Gi-Genghis-Khan.html>. Macrohistory and World History. The Great Mongol Empire. 2009. Frank E.Smitha, Web. 22 Feb 2010. <http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h11mon.htm>. Hermann, Cliff. Genghis Khan Facts. The Houston Museum of Natural Science. 2008. Houston Museum of Natural Science, Web. 22 Feb 2010. <http://www.hmns.org/exhibits/special_exhibits/genghis_khan/genghis_facts.asp>.