Mongol Empire Dbq Analysis

Historians and much of the world deem the Mongols as the most barbaric empire of all time for their exceedingly brutal war tactics and cruel punishments. Before conquering nearly 4,860,000 square miles, this empire started as a small tribe from the steppes and thrived off of horses and trade out of central Asia. In order to maintain and secure imperium, the Mongols used their advanced battle strategies and military organization to overtake other territories and instill new authority. In truth, the Mongols were undoubtedly barbaric on the battlefield, but within their empire, they were rather tame and sophisticated in their judicial system, social infrastructure, and religious views. A judicial system was established to maintain order among

Under Kubilai Khan’s rule in China, religious institutions were “[granted] tax exemption” in 1264 (Document H). Beside excusing taxes, the empire conducted assemblies of different beliefs, not to criticize, but to deliberate: “Each [representer from Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist religions] declares that his law is the best… [Mongke Khan] wishes you all to meet together and hold a conference” (Document M). At these conventions of religious spokesmen, different spiritual teachings were shared, but in the end, the majority of the Mongol population believed in one God and the conclusion that “just as God gave different fingers to the hand so has He given different ways to men.” Temples, mosques, and churches were abundant and specified toward different states. For example, the capital Karakoram had “twelve [Buddhist] temples belonging to the different nations, two [Islamic] mosques… and one church for the Christians” (Document G). Overall, the Mongols acceptance and desire to know more about other faiths requires a certain amount of urbane behavior that would be absent in a barbaric