Dates of Power and Map of Dynasty
The Yuan Dynasty unified all the minor ethnic groups to make them one- (en.wikipedia.org)
The Yuan Dynasty was a khanate, which is a Turkish word used for any place that is ruled by a Khan (en.wikipedia.org),of the Mongol Empire. It was known to be the center of the four main divisions of the Mongol Empire and lasted from the early 1270s following the Song Dynasty and lasted until 1368 when the Ming Dynasty was on it’s way to take over China (en.wikipedia.org).
Reasons for take-over
The main reason that led to the rise of the Yuan Dynasty was the downfall of the previous dynasty known as the Song Dynasty. After the downfall of the Northern Song Dynasty, the Southern Song Dynasty was confronted with the Jin dynasty which is when the Song became allies with the Mongolian army to help fight the Jin. The weak rulers of the Song Dynasty considered literacy more important than the military and always tried to make peace with their enemies which never lasted for long. Therefore, after having defeated the Jin army, the Southern Song tried to make peace with the Mongolians. The Mongolians, after their many tries to invade southern China finally succeeded when Kublai Khan initiated a massive attack on the Southern Song Dynasty leading to the downfall of the Song Dynasty and rise of the Yuan (www.travelchinaguide.com). However, there are other reasons for why the Mongols were able to take over China including the Mongol Empire’s superior military potentials and cultural difference (www.mnsu.edu). The Mongols had an army consisting of the best-trained horsemen amongst all the empires throughout history and could conquer enemies with supreme efficiency and speed (www.wsu.edu). Along with the military, the Mongols and Chinese being culturally different gave more freedom to the Chinese people unlike during the other dynasties when scholars had no right to express knowledge in books, and punishments were not as terrible (www.mnsu.edu).
Leaders of the civilization
Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan initiated the Yuan Dynasty- (en.wikipedia.org)
The dynasty was initiated by the Mongols under the rule of Kublai Khan who led the Mongols during the invasion of the Song Dynasty (en.wikipedia.org). However, Kublai Khan gave credit to his grandfather, Genghis Khan who is known to be the greatest military innovators in human history (www.wsu.edu). After Kublai Khan, there were several other rulers out of which six of them ruled for longer than four years and helped the dynasty prosper such as Yuan Chengzong, Yuan Rengzong and the last emperor of the dynasty who led to the downfall of the Yuan Dynasty, Yuan Huizong.
A leader from another civilization outside of China, but during the same period
During the rule of the Yuan Dynasty, Sir William Wallace in the west rose to power in 1291 to help Scotland in gaining independence from the English. He led two main battles in Scotland and was able to win one of the two against the English. Wallace was well known for being so patriotic that even after being captured he was ready to say anything against the English but unfortunately he was executed in a very harsh manner and is now remembered as a dedicated freedom fighter for his country (en.wikipedia.org).
The patriot- (en.wikipedia.org)
Accomplishments
During the Yuan rule, many achievements were made by the many emperors that controlled the dynasty. Under Kublai Khan, his army defeated all the separate state militaries and unified them under a power system known at the ‘Xingsheng’ administrative system. The unification of China boosted communication between the ethnic minorities as they shared each other’s unique culture and art improving economic and social life of those living in the central plains. Overall, the unified territory contributed to the development of water conservation and technology. Since the Mongolian Empire was a huge one, many foreign countries in Europe, Asia and Africa were interested in seeing and understanding the Chinese civilization. This allowed frequent communication between China and other foreign countries which led to advanced science and technology innovations which were introduced to the Chinese by foreign experts (www.travelchinaguide.com). Under the dynasty, major cultural achievements were made such as the development of drama and novels and the use of the written conversational language. A unity between China and much of Asia stimulated exchange of cultures between the East and the West. In order to improve Chinese performing arts, western musical instruments were introduced. The Chinese innovations included purified saltpetre which is a source of nitrogen part of gunpowder, printing techniques, porcelain, playing cards, and medical literature all of which were exported to Europe and Western Asia while production of thin glass became popular in China (en.wikipedia.org).
A Porcelain dish painted with fish and flowing water during the Yuan Dynasty- (en.wikipedia.org)
Along with the many innovations, the Mongols also helped improve road and water communications in China. To prepare for future famines, storehouses were built throughout the territory. The emperors of the dynasty had a heart for the city of Beijing and rebuilt the city with new palace grounds with artificial lakes, hills and mountains and parks. The Yuan rulers were very preoccupied with cultures and foreign affairs which is why their accomplishments are mainly in those areas. It is said that having unified the territory was one of the most beneficial achievements of the Yuan which later helped upcoming dynasties to rule China properly (en.wikipedia.org).
Bailin Temple- (en.wikipedia.org)
Reasons for fall
The Yuan was the shortest lived of the major dynasties of China that last for merely hundred years (www.wsu.edu). In the last few years of the dynasty, Kublai Khan’s successors became Chinese and lost power over all Mongol lands across Asia including China. The last emperor Huizong ended his rule as a coup took place and he was forced to abdicate his throne in 1368 during a coup. The rest of the successors of Kublai Khan were then expelled from Beijing by Zhu Yuangzhang, the founder of the Ming dynasty (en.wikipedia.org).
Bibliography:
- "Yuan Dynasty". Travel Guide China. 12/01/08. <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/yuan/>.
- Hooker, Richard. "The Mongolian Empire: The Yuan". World Civilizations. 12/01/08
- "Yuan Dynasty". Dynasties of Later Imperial China. 12/01/08
- "Yuan Dynasty". Wikipedia.org. 12/01/08
- "Southern Song Dynasty". Travel Guide China. 12/01/08
