Genghis Khan Essay, Research Paper
GENGHIS KHAN
Genghis Khan was born in Temujin in 1167. He showed promise as a leader and a fighter. By 1206, an assembly of Mongolian chieftains proclaimed him Genghis Khan. Which meant Universal or invincible prince. This was a bold move for the assembly. They obviously saw some leadership qualities in Genghis that others didn+t. When Genghis Khan was little, his chieftain father was poisoned. With no leader left, the tribe left Genghis and his mom. They were left alone for years to care for themselves. Throughout these years, his family met many hardships such as shortage of food and shortage of money. Though unable to read, Genghis was a wise man. His mom told him at a very early age the importance of trust and independence. “Remember, you have no companions but your shadow” Grolier Encyclopedia. (1995) CD ROM
The quote meant to Genghis, don+t put to much trust in anyone, trust no one but yourself and if you must go your own way then do so (1995). In 1206, Genghis Khan was proclaimed the ruler of Mongolia. He was a very respected leader. Like other leaders he knew what his people wanted. They want everything that is good and nothing that is bad. Genghis knew he couldn t promise this so instead he pledged to share both the sweet and the bitter of life (the New World). Genghis did not want to be poisoned like his father so he made alliances, and attacked anyone who he thought a serious threat. Through this method of leadership, Genghis+s army grew to the point where they were unbeatable. Genghis contributed a lot of items to the Chinese and western civilizations. His greatest contribution was a code of laws that he made. Since Genghis couldn+t read or write, these laws were written by one of his followers. His laws were carried on by people through many generations to the point of still being in use today. Either as an adjustment of Genghis+s laws or as he declared them. Genghis Khan promoted the growth of trade between China and Europe. This allowed him to gain supplies such as food, weapons and other survival materials. Genghis also invented a system almost like the pony express. It was a system in which the horse and rider could silently communicate a system that is still used today. The greatest gift ever given by Genghis Khan was the gift of language. Genghis was the first ruler to develop a Mongolian language. Genghis was also a military and strategic genius. He structured his army in a unique and interesting way. He joined soldiers from different tribes into one powerful fighting force. Not only could he have diversity and people who specialize in certain areas of warfare, but it also motivated loyalty to the Mongolian army as a whole rather to a specific group of people. Genghis used harsh training and strict discipline to create a superior fighting force, he also insured that every one of his soldiers was well equipped and could easily adopt new war tactics. His soldiers were always learning. Whether it is a new tactic he invented or a new weapon He decided the army could use. Genghis inspired loyalty by way of promotion. He felt the best way to gain loyal followers was to promote people on the basis of achievement and not within the family. This didn t only inspire a great deal of loyalty but it also made his army better and actually raised the spirits soldiers. Every soldier gave their life to Genghis and one hundred percent of their effort because no one knew
who would be the next he would promote. Finally, once Genghis army was trained and ready for battle, Genghis felt it was time to flex the muscles of the Mongolian Empire. He looked on the great task of conquering all of China and uniting it under a single rule. Genghis began his assault on China by attacking a northwest kingdom called Xi Xia. He defeated Xi Xia with little effort and in 1215 he moved northeast, attacking and conquering Beijing, the capital city of the Jinn Empire. In 1218 he decided to cease his assault on China and sweep into central Asia. He crushed the kingdom of Krorezm, which was located in what are now present-day Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. In 1220, he destroyed the cities of Bukhara and Samarkand, which are in present-day Uzbekistan and Neyshabar in modern Iran. By 1223, Khan and his troops had conquered the Kipchaks, and they defeated the Russians at the Kalka River. It had taken Genghis Khan 17 years to create an empire superior in strength and achievement to Alexander the great, Julius Caesar and Hannibal. From 1225 until his death in 1227, His army was at war with Yi Yia kingdom.
Genghis Khan died on August 18, 1227, and was buried in a secret
spot in Mongolia. By rewarding skill and allegiance, and punishing those who opposed him, Genghis Khan established the biggest and most powerful empire to ever exist. Upon his death, Genghis+s son Kublai Khan took over the empire, founding the Chinese-style Yuan dynasty. Mongol rule brought relative peace to Asia, leaving China accessible to foreign visitors, such as Marco Polo.
Works Cited
Grolier Encyclopedia. (1995). CD ROM
The New World Book. (1995). CD ROM
Empires beyond the Great Wall: The Heritage of Genghis Khan.
www.pinc.com/khan/empires.html
Online. Internet. 7 May 2001
Heroes (Genghis Khan 1167-1227).
http://spruce.evansville.edu/ al22/genghis.html
Online. Internet. 7 May 2001