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Unit 2: How Trade and Travel Changed the World

Lesson C: China — Mongol to Ming Rule

Opening: Mongol Rule in Eurasia

By the early 13th century, the Mongol Empire had grown to control nearly all of Asia, the Middle East, and portions of eastern Europe. The Mongol Empire in China was represented by the Yuan Dynasty from 1271 through 1368. The Empire was ruled by Kublai Khan, the grandson of the first Mongol ruler, Genghis Khan.

Portrait of Yuan Emperor Kublai Khan
Yuan Emperor Kublai Khan [1]

Download Icon Download the Student Resource: Mongol to Ming Rule Graphic Organizer (doc) and complete as directed after each assigned activity. You will use this resource throughout this lesson.

Directions: In the following activity, you will identify areas conquered by the Mongols using a geography exercise. Place the name of the present day country over the corresponding area of the map. When you have finished, use this information to respond to the assigned questions on your graphic organizer.

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Written Activity - Student Resource

Answer the following questions on your Student Resource: Ming Mongol Graphic Organizer.

  • How did the massive size of the Mongol Empire make it difficult to maintain control over conquered areas?
  • How might the size of the Mongol Empire have contributed to its rapid decline?

 


Page Notes:

[1] Source: This image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:YuanEmperorAlbumKhubilaiPortrait.jpg is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.