Title

The Good, the Bad, and the Mongol

  • The Rise of Temujin
    Jan 1, 1180

    The Rise of Temujin

    Mongol khan Temujin defeats his enemies and unites scattered Mongol clans to begin building his empire.
  • Mongol Strategy
    Jan 1, 1200

    Mongol Strategy

    Mongols are a fierce invasion force marching through China in squads of 10,000 for tactical advantage to accompany their intense brutality. 1200-1300
  • Onward, to Battle!
    Jan 1, 1200

    Onward, to Battle!

    Mongols emerge from Central Asia to conquer China and create a vast empire. 1200-1300
  • Enter, the Universal Ruler
    Jan 1, 1206

    Enter, the Universal Ruler

    Temujin unites the final clans and thakes the title Genghis Khan, meaning "Universal Ruler," and sets out to create his empire.
  • Closer to Domination
    Jan 1, 1207

    Closer to Domination

    Genghis Khan and the other Mongols control more and more of Asia, learning the use of gun powder and siege warfare from the Chinese and the Turks. Siege Warfare: A military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault.
  • The Death of Genghis
    Jan 1, 1227

    The Death of Genghis

    Genghis Khan dies of old age and physical fatigue. He leaves his empire and dream of conquering the world to his sons and grandsons.
  • The Horde on the Road to Russia
    Jan 1, 1236

    The Horde on the Road to Russia

    Under Genghis Khan's grandson Batu, the Golden Horde sets out to conquer Russia to further extend the Mongol Empire. Golden Horde: The Mongol army that swept over eastern Europe in the 13th century and established a suzerain in Russia (from the golden tent of their commander).
  • Kublai Khan, the Great Khan of the Khanate of the Great Khan
    Jan 1, 1260

    Kublai Khan, the Great Khan of the Khanate of the Great Khan

    Kublai Khan becomes the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, but in reality, he only had power over the Khanate of the Great Khan.
  • Marco........Polo
    Jan 1, 1278

    Marco........Polo

    Marco Polo is sent on missions throughout China by the Yuan emperor. Kublai Khan did this because he took a liking to young Marco when his family visited the royal court.
  • The Songs have Fallen out of Key
    Jan 1, 1279

    The Songs have Fallen out of Key

    After much resistance, Kublai Khan defeats the last Song ruler Emperor Bing, and claims total control of China, completing his goal for an empire. Song Dynasty: And imperial dyanasty of China noted for art, literature, and philosophy.
  • Death of Khan!
    Jan 1, 1294

    Death of Khan!

    Kublai Khan dies. Before this, storms that the Japanese named Kamikazes or, "divine wind," kept them from conquering the islands of Japan. Kamikaze (now): Soldiers who used planes or other modes of transportation to bomb their opponents, killing themselves in the proccess.
    Kamikaze (then): Many large storms that rescued the Japanese from an impending Mongol invasion.
  • Marco.......Polo! I Found you!
    Jan 1, 1295

    Marco.......Polo! I Found you!

    Marco Polo and his father return to Venice after 17 years of traveling through China. Not long after, Marco was captured and taken captive in the midst of a battle.
  • He's Down.......ATTACK!
    Jan 1, 1300

    He's Down.......ATTACK!

    Many Chinese groups fight against the Mongols, as they no longer need to fear Kublai Khan. 1300-1400
  • The Plague Sensation that's Sweeping the Nation!
    Jan 1, 1300

    The Plague Sensation that's Sweeping the Nation!

    Black Death dpreads through Asia. 1300-1400 Black Death: The great epidemic of bubonic plague that killed a large part of the European population (mid 14th century).
  • Mongols Reach their Downfall
    Jan 1, 1368

    Mongols Reach their Downfall

    The Mongols are defeated by a rebel army, then retreat Manchuria. This ended their oppressive reign in China.
  • Vastly Martial's Martial Mastery helps him Master Mongol Mutilator
    Jan 1, 1368

    Vastly Martial's Martial Mastery helps him Master Mongol Mutilator

    Peasant Zhu Yuanzhang overthrows the final Mongol emperor with his rebel army. He then takes the name Hongwu, meaning "Vastly Martial," and begins the Ming dynasty.
  • Death turns to Struggle
    Jan 1, 1398

    Death turns to Struggle

    Hongwu's death leads to a power struggle for his throne.
  • Yonglo and the Forbidden City
    Jan 1, 1402

    Yonglo and the Forbidden City

    After the power stuggle comes to an end, Hongwu's son Yonglo becomes emperor. He built a great imperial city at Beijing's center. The Forbidden City. His reign lasted until 1424. Forbidden City: A walled enclosure at the center of Beijing containing the palaces of 24 emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties.
  • The Voyages of the Indian Ocean
    Jan 1, 1405

    The Voyages of the Indian Ocean

    Chinese Muslim admiral Zheng He leads seven voyages through the Indian Ocean as far as Africa with fleets of up to 300 ships to flaunt China's power. Among his ships he had junks, a type of trading ship. The voyages were put to rest in 1433. Junks: A small ship designed during the Ming dynasty for trading overseas.
  • No More Sailing!
    Jan 1, 1433

    No More Sailing!

    A new emperor puts a stop to He's voyages as they are far too expensive and a waste of China's resources.
  • Anti-Social Networking
    Jan 1, 1500

    Anti-Social Networking

    Ming China heavily restrics trading with foreign countries to halt any and all outside contacts. Merchants from other lands could only trade at a select few Chinese ports.
  • Traders and Missionaries on the Horizon
    Jan 1, 1500

    Traders and Missionaries on the Horizon

    European traders and Christian missionaries come to China. They vbrought with them many goods and ideas, one of the reasons that to Ming China's voluntary isolation.
  • Sweeeet Sweet Potatoes!
    Jan 1, 1500

    Sweeeet Sweet Potatoes!

    Farm production increased in Ming China after the arrival of new crops from the Americas, such as sweet potatoes and corn.
  • Fasten your Seatbelts, the Dynasty will now Begin it's Descent
    Jan 1, 1500

    Fasten your Seatbelts, the Dynasty will now Begin it's Descent

    Weak Ming rulers take control, leading to an increase in corruption. Treasuries were nearly emptied towards defense, leading to a sharp rise in taxes.
  • Matteo Ricci

    Matteo Ricci

    Matteo Ricci, an Italian Jesuit priest, arrives in China. He learned the Chinese language and adopted Chinese customs as to be accepted. He was granted entry to the Ming court thanks to his efforts. Around the time he arrived, the Ming began restoring the Great Wall of China to defend them from the renewed Mongol threat. Great Wall of China: A fortified wall in northern China, extending some 1,500 miles from Kansu province to the Yellow Sea north of Beijing.
  • Rebellions Arise!

    Rebellions Arise!

    The tax increase, combined with crop failures led to angered civilians, then to rebellions.
  • Ming to Qing

    Ming to Qing

    Ming China withers and becomes the Qing dynasty after the Manchu take the Ming capital at Beijing. The Qing dynasty topples in 1911.
  • 3,500 Years has Gone by so Fast

    3,500 Years has Gone by so Fast

    The Qing dynasty rules as the final dynasty in 3,500 years of Chinese imperial rule.
  • Finally, the Emperor We Needed

    Finally, the Emperor We Needed

    Kangxi, emperor of Qing China, reduced taxes placed upon peasants and expanded his empire. He supported the arts and Jesuit priests, and he enjoyed learning about their advances in science and other subjects. His rule ended in 1772.
  • Dream of the Red Chamber

    Dream of the Red Chamber

    Qing writer Cao Zhan writes Dream of the Red Chamber, a novel examining the decline of an upper-class Chinese family.
  • Qianlong

    Qianlong

    Kangxi's grandson Qianlong conquers Taiwan, Mongolia, and Tibet, bringing his empire to its largest size. He improved agricultural production, leading to a steep rise in population. His rule ended in 1796.
  • Population on the Rise

    Population on the Rise

    China's population sky rockets to 300 million thanks to Qianlong's agricultural advancements.
  • Macartney? No Way! Oh...George...

    Macartney? No Way! Oh...George...

    Lord Geaorge Macartney, a British official, visits China to discuss expanding trade. He is refused and sent away for refusing to kowtow to emperor Qianlong. Kowtow: Kneeling in front of the emperor and touching your forehead to the ground nine times.
  • Thanks a Lot Europe...

    Thanks a Lot Europe...

    Efforts by the Europeans to reach through China's closed society leads to the destruction of the Qing dynasty and the end of imperial rule.