2. Background to the Mongolian
Interlude
Before we can understand the Mongolian Interlude
properly, we must first learn a bit about the Song
Dynasty.
The Song Dynasty ruled China from 960 to 1279 AD.
The Song Dynasty eventually fell to the Mongols, led
by Kublai Khan, in 1279.
After the Mongols took over, we call this period of
time the Mongolian Interlude.
3. Yuan Dynasty
Kublai Khan ruled the
Yuan Dynasty of China.
He soon realised that he
needed to focus on China,
rather than Mongolia, so
China became his main
base.
The map shows the area
he ruled as the Emperor of
the Yuan Dynasty.
4. Life Under the Mongols
Ethnic Chinese people (called Han) were discriminated
against by the Mongols.
Mongols were forbidden from associating with the Han.
Furthermore, the Han were forbidden to learn Mongolian.
Also, intermarriage was forbidden.
Finally, Mongolian rituals and celebrations were retained
over the Han celebrations and rituals.
5. Life under the Mongols
Despite this, Kublai was still
fascinated by the culture of
the Han.
He adopted much of their
culture into his court.
This is a picture of him. He
was born on the 23rd of
September 1215 in
Mongolia.
6. This pyramid shows the social hierarchy of China
under the Yuan Dynasty.
Mongols
Central Asian
Nomadic and
Muslim Allies
North Chinese
Han Chinese and Minority People of
the South
7. Rights of Women
Mongolian women could own their own property, had
control in their household, could move around as they
wished and some even went to war and hunted.
The wife of Kublai Khan promoted Buddhism, respected
Han culture and ensured that the Song imperial family
were looked after by giving them funds and a palace.
8. Mongolian Influence on Chinese
Advancement
The Mongols gave the Han to more advanced
instruments to use for astronomy.
They translated 36 volumes on Muslim medicine into
Chinese.
The Mongolians also improved the accuracy of maps of
China.
9. Marco Polo
Marco Polo was the most
famous Christian traveller to
come to the Mongol Court.
He was born in Venice on 15
September 1254.
He travelled many times to
the Mongolian Empire in the
13th Century.
10. For 17 years, he worked as one of Kublai
Khan’s administrators.
He wrote accounts of Kublai Khan’s court
and his empire.
European interest of Asia increased to to his
writing and how he described the place he
visited.
He helped inspire people like Christopher
Columbus to try and find ways of getting to
Asia by ship.
11. Opinions of the Mongols
On one hand, the Han scholars viewed the Mongols as
barbarians and were hostile towards them.
On the other hand, Han merchants benefited from
Mongolian rule because the Mongols improved transport
and expanded the use and supply of paper money.
12. Fall of the Yuan Dynasty
The discrimination of Han Chinese by the Mongols
stirred resentment and rebellion.
However, the flooding of the Yellow River also
contributed to the fall of the Yuan Dynasty.
A number of Han Chinese groups revolted and
eventually, the Yuan Dynasty came crumbling down, to
be replaced by the Ming Dynasty.
