Why the Mongol Empire Fell

INTRODUCTION 

Chinggis Khan 

Genghis Khan, the leader of the Mongol empire, rose from meekness to establishing one of the largest empires in history. Khan united nomadic tribes in the Mongolian plateau and conquered the large part of Asia and China. Khan generations further expanded the empire by advancing towards Poland, Vietnam, Syria, and Korea to controlling about 12 million square miles. Khan’s invasions were characterized by massacres, religious freedom, trade and the end of affliction. In his time, Khan invented the use of the postal system and later died in 1227 in a military campaign against Xi Xia kingdom.

Genghis Khan was born in 1162 as Temujin in the border of Mongolia and Siberia at a time when central nomadic tribes were in frequent wars and theft among the nomads. Khan’s father died of poison, and his clan abandoned Khan, his mother, and siblings to steer clear of feeding them. Khan grew up in an impulsive and violent environment. After the death of his father, khan killed his half-brother and took over the leadership of the poor household. Khan’s father’s clan at some point abducted khan and tortured him, but eventually, he managed to escape. Shortly after, Khan married Borte, and together they bore four sons and countless daughters. Borte was kidnapped forcing Khan to engage in a daring rescue which helped him build treaties and a reputation as a great warrior (Lococo, 2008).

In his life, Khan rose to build a massive empire known as the Mongolian empire through changing the ways of leadership, execution of enemy tribe leaders and making leaders of people from his clan. Khan ordered for the end of theft until they had won over all the lands. By 1205, Khan had managed to conquer all his adversary territories and he summoned all representatives to a meeting where he declared a vast nation of all the lands he had conquered known as the Mongol empire. In the meeting, Khan was named Chinggs Khan which meant a universal leader. The name Chinggs Khan came to be referred as Genghis Khan in the west. In his reign, Khan sought to put an end to traditions that led to war such as hereditary leadership, women sale and kidnapping, theft, and slavery. Khans developments included enforcing the writing system, census and allowing for the freedom of religion. Khan also approved protection for foreign ambassadors. Khan engaged in a number of attacks thereafter winning most of them and increasing the number of his army. During Khwarezmi conquest, Khan instructed Xi Xia to provide troops for the attack but Xi Xia failed to follow the instructions. After the victory on Khwarezm, Khan made a return attack on Xi Xia for failing to honor his requests where he got injured and succumbed to death shortly after the attack (Lococo, 2008). Khan was hence the founder and the first ruler of the Mongols Empire from a young age to his demise. Khan remains a recognized leader acknowledged for his developments on the economy and is considered for being among the first leaders to implement global change. Khan’s death was the beginning of the fall of the Mongol empire. His death came with overabundance of leadership with in the Mongol clan and the inability to work together like their original leader was able to accomplish.

The Fall of the Mongols 

The fall of Mongol empire began with the death of Genghis Khan its universal leader leading to the inheritance of his crown by his sons who were not willing to work together. In the times of Khan, the whole land of Mongol was unified under one leadership. Khan was a strict leader who was determined to institute change in Mongol empire. Khan led universally giving directives and with a clear mind on the goals he had set for the realm. Additionally, Khan rose from a meek livelihood to attaining his greatness and establishing a vast kingdom by learning to fight and pursue his convictions on what was good for the people. In his endeavors, Khan overwrote traditional systems and practices to establish a nation he perceived right, free and instituted developmental practices. After Khan's death; leadership was taken on by his four sons whose objectives and approaches to leadership were different to their fathers and consequently leading to the demise of the Mongol empire. After the death of Khan three of his sons and the first son of his deceased son took over power. Although the third son was the immediate successor, Khans grandsons conflicted on the line power should take. The fall of The Mongol began with the break of the unified nation to four a sections governed separately by Khan's three sons and one grandson. The division saw the beginning of the end of the Mongol rule and ultimately its fall. The sons led the parts differently breaking from Khan's initial unified strategy that had seen the empire grow and develop together to achieve great heights in trade, relations, and overall developments.

The reconstruction of the oasis city led to the last age of the Silk Road and as a result the downfall of the Mongol empire and consequently the Silk Road. Ogedei, the successor of Khan, died leaving Khan's grandson Khubilai Khan as the new leader of the Mongol. Khubilai led in the footsteps of his grandfather Khan and his uncle Ogedei synthesizing politics such that they allowed for the formation of a new government under Mongol rule. The new government was under Yuan Rule who over threw the Khans and led for almost 70 years leaving the chains of leadership to Tamerlane. Tamerlane led with such strictness and viciousness that outdid the Khans. Tamerlane led conquests far more destructive than the Khans wars destroying the trade routes and Silk Road beyond repair. Samarkand survived the Tamerlane attacks, and he also attempted to rebuild it and create shops in an attempt to draw merchants in and boost the economy. However, the economy was already pressurized by the falling kingdom (Morgan, 2009). The Mongol empire fell due to the overabundance of leadership within the Mongol clan and the inability to work together like their original leader was able to accomplish. Thus, a look at the building of the Mongol empire by analyzing the tactics and weaponry used in their conquests, the major conflicts within the empire and the death of a great leader gives insight on the ultimate fall of the Mongol Empire.

BUILDING THE MONGOLIAN EMPIRE- 

Tactics and Weapons Used In Battles 

Khan's approach to ruling and his mechanisms in expanding the Mongol empire reflect strategy and tactical plans. All the conquests by Khan were executed with great calculation and employed military designs. Khan provided grounds for reference for preceding leaders in his employment of martial art. Khan's tactics were effective towards the accomplishment of a unified nation although some may argue in contrast perspective. In fact, Knowledge of the planning and execution of Khan's aggressive techniques provides an avenue to develop the tactics to fit in original structures and serve to benefit the people. A look into the strategic nature of Khans practices creates a perspective on the advancement of modern tactics and ideas on their possible application in the contemporary world.

One of the tactics used by Khan is the use of weapon-bow armed troops and army caverns. Khan trained and utilized army forces in his conquest. The soldiers were well and strategically prepared to attack which gave their ambush an advantage over the subject territories. Take for instance the attack on Khwarezm where the militant faked withdrawal to the adversary army to draw them out and then attacked. The tactic worked efficiently enabling Khan Troops to attack and come out victorious in a war with an army larger than theirs. The nomads were accustomed to the military like skills such as performance combat and quickness among others which Khan took advantage of by stating that all who owned weapons were military men giving him an army already more qualified than those of other nations.

Another tactic Khan employed is the progressive advancements in his strategies. Khan understood the leading position of the Chinese regarding combat and knew it was necessary to keep improving his skills and the approach mechanisms of his troops to remain at the forefront. Khan required of his army to learn tactics art advanced for the era. For instance, khan’s troops participation in hunting as was a way of improving strategic interactions on the thousands of troops. Other tactics evident within the livelihood of the Mongols is their training to pursue adversaries at any season and time throughout the years. The Mongols had knowledge and training on different ways to navigate seasonal barriers in war which set the on track to engage at any time of the year. Also, the Mongols also kept in communication with Khan who enabled interaction amongst the troops. On the other hand, the Mongols approach was one of encircling their enemies leaving them with no exit route to attack or free enabling the Mongols lock them in rendering the trapped (Maikhiyev, 2014). Conclusively, Khans tactics involved using the Mongols already built traditional skills and strategies and advancing to their favor.

Another strategy by Khan was the use of numbers to out crowd the other armies. Khan recruited any nomads who owned bows and arrows in his armies which constituted the good percentage of the kingdom. Khan also demanded troops from all previously conquered territories that he had gained control over. The army caravans used colossal storming on the enemies’ empires and ambushing them giving them an advantage over the enemies. Khan also ensured adequate supplies for his troops to enable them during the fight. The supplies were unavailable for the enemy troops and hence keeping the energized for them fights.. Khan also invested in training and equipping his forces with adequate bows, arrows, and horses for the fights among others to ensure they were well set for the battles (May 2007). The tactics enabled the armies to attack the territories and triumph giving Khan Control over more substantial lands and expanding the empire.

Significant Conflicts That Led To The Fall Of The Empire 

The fall of Mongol empire was as a result of various underlying disputes mostly internal. The first conflict was that of who was to inherit power. Upon the death of Khan, There were his three sons and a grandson to inherit the position of leadership. The empire had been governed under one ruler, Genghis Khan since its creation and all other leaders served under him. Khan was focused towards universal unity and as such believed the nation had to be governed centrally to achieve integration. However, through the generations after Khan, his sons, grandsons, and descendants after that all wanted to rule leading to conflict and ultimately the division of the nation into four parts each governed separately by the each brother. The division caused a break of the unifying factor becoming a starting point to the demise of the Mongol empire.

Another conflict relevant to the demise of the Mongolempire is the freedom to worship and establishments of governments under Mongol leadership. The immediate descendant of Khan Ogedei left administration to his nephew Khubilai who advanced the developments advocated for by his grandfather and Ogedei his uncle. Among the events was the allowance of governments to be formed under the Mongol leadership. Eventually, the governments rose to overthrow the Mongol and take over for several years. Another conflict that enabled the fall of Mongol kingdom is the class difference between the rich and the poor which resulted in conflicts within the trading system leading to the decline of the trade. The destruction of the Silk Road to a great extent altered the foundation of the Mongol empire resulting in its fall (Biran, 2012).

THE FALL OF THE MONGOLS 

Death of a Leader 

The Mongol greatest leader was its founder Chinggis Khan. Khan grew from the roots of poverty under violence and abuse to building one of the biggest empires in history. Khan pursued his visions for the nation without hesitation and won battle after another joining the territories together to construct the Mongol empire. Khan leadership was focused on ending enslaving traditions and establishing a developing nation by providing a means to raise national economy. Khan was able to attain most of his vision for Mongol by overcoming several countries and instituting his governance from the Mongol county. Khan also enabled the development of trade through the reestablishment of the Silk Road that allowed for more production and trade which uplifted the lives of both the poor and the rich.

In his missions after the full conquest of all cities advancing the trade objective, khan got trampled on in the battlefield affecting his health status. Khan proceeded with the conquest despite the injuries in the quest to achieve his goals for the nation. Khan succumbed to the injuries from the Xi Xia conquest and died on the road. History provides different theories on the burial of Khan. Some believe Khans body was left where it fell, and others think he was buried in a tomb which was stapled on to hide the location of Khan's body for protection of a legend. Khan's system of leadership was dominating and deadly, but at the same time, it's achieved significant developments that are yet to be witnessed in the political systems (Asia for Educators, 2004)

Conflict from Within 

The Mongol empire fell eventually due to its internal conflicts. Khan was a universal leader who led the nation under the same rules and had an organized way to lead the people. Khan ruled alone, and all the leaders worked under his instruction failure to which he dealt with them strictly hence none dared to overstep him. The conflicts within revolved around the leadership and division within the people. After the death of Khan, the empire was divided into four zones which were led separately by the sons of Khan. The sons would not agree on the system of leadership even with Ogedei as the named successor. The division altered the unified front of the empire deprived the perspctive of a stronger nation. Dividing the country presented a weakness that the Enemies exploited to overthrow the empire. The leaders became self-destructive abandoning Khans progressive agenda for the kingdom. The enemies of the kingdom used the loopholes in the governance leading to defeating the vast nation and hence its fall.

Another conflict within was between the many levels of leadership in the hierarchy who sought to be the ultimate leaders. Khubilai introduced traditions within the empire allowing the elders to have power below the Mongol. Khan had attempted to end the traditional system to include more competent people to take up leadership positions. Khubilai, however, believed in ruling by governance as opposed to exploitation and dominance. The elders then formed their government and overthrew the Mongol era. The elders changed the social structure of the government leading to the absolute demise of the Mongol rule. The Mongol empire demise was as a result of the difference in leader’s perspective of the Mongol rule. Some believed in the unified nation while others advocated for the division of the empire. The country had become so broad and significant to incorporate millions of people, and the people were expected to embrace the Mongol culture which some leaders objected (Biran, 2012).The conflicts within arose from the many levels of leaders within its political structure and the inability of the leaders to cooperate and work together as a unified nation.

Lastly, the growing population also posed an internal conflict. The Mongol empire had become so vast and highly populated for central governance. It had encompassed and brought to submission adversaries who would be expected to rise from within against the kingdom. Higher population meant a significant threat from within for governance. The hugeness of the empire and the division created new enemy boundaries weakening the one greater army, therefore, rendering the Mongol empire vulnerable.

ANALYSIS- COULD THE MONGOLS HAVE AVOIDED THEIR END 

Conflict from Within 

The fall of the Mongol empire was purely its fault. It had the power to remain powerful by handling the internal disputes better and staying true to the Khan way. Khan led the great empire through appointing leaders for the conquered territories who were answerable to him. However, after the division of the empire Khans descendants separated the way of leadership leading each of the four divisions separately and exercising absolute power. The new leaders wanted to be the highest in the political hierarchy and hence to answer to no one. The new leaders forgot that the universal aspect was part of the empires most significant assets and that breaking it into pieces would make the nation vulnerable. The Mongol empire was a highly hierarchical kingdom with various levels of leadership, and every leader wished to exercise absolute leadership without answering to higher powers raising conflicts within the system.

Loyalty was bound to be lost through generations, and personal ambitions were tied to develop in time. Advancement was not just a matter of the economy, but also the people improved in their attitudes and ways which would impact the structure in due time. Not everyone in the empire was comfortable with their place in the kingdom. There were others besides The Mongols who would seek dominance over the empire. . With advancements and broadening of the people's capacities, other stronger rulers were bound to arise eventually taking parts if not all of Mongol.

Division of a Kingdom 

The division was critical for the nation although it could have been executed under a universal leader as Khan had managed. The conquests had made Mongol such a vast country within a high population that was hard to control centrally. Initially, Mongol had a handful of people until Khan took over and won battles expanding the borders of the Mongol kingdom. The new numbers required to be subdivided into smaller portions for more efficient management in the era. As a result, the high population led to the emergence of varying opinions on the system and those against it took a stance that saw the leadership taken over. On the other hand, Mongol empire had expanded beyond the limits of the time. The kingdom had become too big for centralized governance at that time. It required a high level of dominance and strictness to rule such a large area and population from a central place which was unachievable for the era hence the Mongol empire would not have prevented its demise. The realm would also have blocked its death if the leaders worked together for the common good of the nation as a whole. Khan's sons and grandson would have worked together even after the division in ensuring the four divisions worked together in pursuit of their grandfather's objectives. Combined effort and resource in the form of army base would aid the empire in protecting the university as one, and the leaders would together ensure that the traditional systems of governance were not reinstated.

CONCLUSION 

The Impact of the Decisions Made By the Mongols and How It Led To Their Fall 

The Mongols made a decision in their reign that contributed to their fall in various ways. For one, the decision to decentralize the Mongol kingdom led to the division of the nation and hence exposing the country as vulnerable. The army was stronger as one and enabled them to conquer more territories. Secondly, the Mongols customs differed from the Islam religion in a significant way, and so many Muslims died at the hands of the Mongols such that Islam became enemies of the empire. The Mongols differed with Muslims so much such that they sought to drive the Muslims out of Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. Batu, one of the khan leaders, converted to Muslim and promised to avenge the death of Caliph a Muslim killed by the Mongols creating yet another threat to the existence of the Mongol empire.

Thirdly, the Mongols decided to impose their rule on the People who transitioned to rebellion and eventually defeat. Khan believed in the adherence to the law set by him. Anyone who failed to follow was brutally murdered. Khan ruled strictly and through warfare defeating nation after nation and conquered. With every conquest, the Mongols made enemies with the local leaders and killed thousands of people. Therefore, when the Mongols were most vulnerable, their enemies came forth to avenge and take back control and power (Waterson &Man, 2013). Fourthly, the Mongols expanded their empire to great lengths such that it was impossible to centralize the leadership and at the same time people were too many to control. On the other hand, the Mongols enabled developments and advancements in economy and culture through enhancing trade and empowering the people. The events and improvements led to a liberalized nation which led people to pursue their goals.

The decisions the Mongols made either weakened their empire or multiplied the number of their enemies. Khan led from a personal perspective and did what he felt was right. In his rule, he exercised dominance and control over his subjects causing them to rebel. Other leaders were opposed to the idea of being under the control of someone else and wanted to be absolute in power. The wars led to the death of thousands of innocent citizens and that caused rebellion from religious bodies. Eventually, the effects of The Mongols decisions rendered the empire weak and easy to penetrate and the enemies took the opportunity to overthrow the Mongols and take over and thus the fall of the Mongol empire.

References

Asia for Educators, Columbia University. (2004). The Mongols in world history: Timeline period 1000-1500 CE. Asian Topics in World History . Retrieved on 15 April 2018, from http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/.

Biran, M (2013). The Mongol Empire: The State of the Research. History Compass 11/11: 1021–1033 . Retrieved on 15 April 2018, from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hic3.12095/abstract

Biran, M. (2012). Chinggis Khan (Makers of the Muslim world). New York: One World Publications.

Lococo, P. (2008). Genghis Khan: History's greatest empire builder (1st ed. ed., Military profiles) . Washington, D.C: Potomac Books.

Maikhiyev, D. (2014). Development of tactics in military art of Genghis Khan. Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, 21 (2), 414-417.

May, T. (2007). The Mongol art of war: Chinggis Khan and the Mongol military system . Yardley, Penn.: Westholme

Morgan, D (2009). The decline and fall of Mongol Empire. Journal of Royal Asiatic Society, 19 (4), 427-437. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1356186309990046.

Waterson, J., & Man, J. (2013). Defending heaven: China's Mongol wars, 1209-1370 . London: Frontline Books.