In spite of this failure, Kublai maintained peace and order throughout the twelve provinces into which the empire was divided, and under his administration every possible consideration was given to Chinese customs. Negotiations were carried on by Japan with the idea of ultimate subjection, but led to no result, and a great fleet sent out by Kublai against Japan in 1281 was almost entirely destroyed by a fearful storm. The Mongols, who had already subdued Korea, made this country the base of operations for an attempt (which was defeated by the Japanese) to establish themselves in Kyushu. His armies conquered Korea, Vietnam, Burma and twice tried to conquer Japan only to have the Mongol fleets destroyed by "divine winds" of typhoons. Others were stripped of their land so that the Emperor could grant it to those he favored. Many were pressed into military service or forced labor. The native people were relegated to a position beneath not only the Mongols but any foreigner. The examination system was scrapped, and no Chinese could occupy any key bureaucratic position. Mongol rule fell heavy upon the conquered. Adopting China's traditions, Kublai declared himself the Emperor Shih-tsu and his dynasty the Yüan. As Kublai Khan completed his conquest of China, he moved his capital to Dadu, today's Peking. When China fell to the Mongols, it became part of a vast empire that stretched northward into Siberia and westward to Europe's Danube. In the same year Peking was declared the capital of the country, under the name of Chung tu (central residence), and in 1271 Kublai adopted the title of the Yuan dynasty for his family. The first war of Kublai was directed against the pretender within his own nation, Arikbuga (Alipuko), who revolted against him in Karakorum, but was defeated in 1261, and forced to flight and submission in 1264. His reign was almost entirely occupied with wars against the southern Sung dynasty, which was ultimately destroyed in 1279 under the rule of his younger brother, Kublai Khan (Hu pi lie in Chinese, Shi Tsu 1260-1294). The empress Wo wu li hai mi shi in Karakorum undertook the regency until the coming of age of Mangu Khan, the son of Tu li (Meng Ko in Chinese, Hsien Tsung 1251-1259) he spent most of his time in his summer capital of Shang tu (Xanadu) hi Southeast Mongolia, where he died. Numerous embassies also brought tribute from the subject princes.Īfter the death of Ogotai, his wife, Nai Ma chen, the sixth queen, undertook the government during the minority of her eldest son, Kuyuk Khan (Kuei yu in Chinese, Ting Tsung), who ascended the throne in 1246 however, he died in 1248. Prisoners of war formed the body-guards of the Chinese emperor, a Russian guard, for example, being formed in 1330. The rulers of the three kingdoms received yearly subsidies from China, whence also they acquired their appointment and their royal seals. Upon the west also the Mongol kingdom was rapidly extended their expeditions against North Russia as far as the district of Novgorod (1237-1238), against South Russia as far as Volhynia and Podolia (1240), against Poland, Silesia, and Moravia (1240-1241), against Hungary (12411242),spread the terror of the Mongol arms far and wide throughout Eastern Europe, and also brought the existence of China to the knowledge of the West The three great kingdoms founded in Asia, Persia, Turkestan, and that of the Golden Horde on the Volga, recognized, though perhaps only nominally, the supremacy of China, - a submission later renewed to Timur the conqueror of India. Under his rule the Mongols destroyed the Kin dynasty, and became the immediate neighbours of China. His imperial title, and his Chinese name Tai tszu, which he bore after 1206, are no doubt honorable additions of a later period.Īfter his son To Lei (Tuli 1227-1229) had ruled for a short period he was succeeded by his third son, Ogotai Khan (Wokuo tai in Chinese, Tai Tsung), 12291241. His influence upon China was merely indirect, through his expulsion of the Kin dynasty. He died on the mountain Lu pan shan, in Kansu, while upon an expedition against the Tanguts in 1227, the year of the downfall of the western Hsia dynasty. His possessions were situated in Karakorum, from whence lie advanced to the conquest of the world, overcoming the Uigurians in 1209, the Kharismians in 1220, and defeating the Eussians, who were in alliance with the Kumaris, on the Kalka in 1223. After a long struggle he made himself chief of this tribe, overcame his most important rival, Ong Khan, in 1203, and was elected chief of all the Mongol tribes. Temujin, better known as Genghis Khan, was the son of a chieftain of the Nirun Mongols, and was born in 1155. Chinese History - 1271-1368 AD - Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty
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