The Mongol Empire---Yuan Dynasty ( 1271-1368)

In the twelfth century, several tribes inhabited the steppes of central Asia, north of China. The people in these tribes were known as the Mongols. They made their livelihood on horsebacks, herding cattle, hunting and fighting as well. The extremely hard life and limited useful land on the steppe caused frequent wars among the tribes. By the end of twelfth century, one of the tribes grew militarily stronger under their powerful leader, Timuchin. In 1206, this leader successfully unified all Mongol tribes and was elected Genghis Khan, which means " Universal Ruler". From then on, he aimed his conquest at non-Mongol tribes and nations. His armies swept across the landscape like wildfire. In 1214, Genghis Khan fiercely broke through the Great Wall, trampled the Chinese army and took the city of Beijing.

After Genghis Khan died, his grandson, Kubilai khan established a new dynasty in Beijing in 1271. He adopted a Chinese name for his new regime, the Yuan Dynasty. In 1279, this new emperor conquered South Song Dynasty and finally brought all of China under Mongol control. This was the first time that China was ruled by a foreign power.

The Mongols took China militarily, but it turned out that they had hard time to controlling China administratively. Language differences, cultural obstacles and their discrimination against the Chinese undermined the Mongol rulers. The Chinese didn't accept the Yuan as a legitimate dynasty but regarded them rather as an invading army. In 1340's, Yuan's neglect of the water control project, on which Chinese agriculture was dependent, brought massive famine. Chinese peasant rebellions sprang up all over the country. The Mongols ultimately failed to maintain order in China.

What is going to happen to these powerful warriors, the Mongols? Will anyone be strong enough to send them packing? You will find out soon.