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__NOTOC__[[File:GenghisPortrait.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px200px|Taizu aka Genghis Khan]]__NOTOC__The Mongol invasions of the 13th century affected much of Eurasia, where at one point , the Mongols had conquered lands stretching from China to Eastern Europe. While these invasions have been depicted as very destructive and disruptive to trade and urban life in many regions, there were a number of several new developments that fundamentally changed the course of history for Europe and Asia. Many of these impacts are not obvious , but the influence of the Mongols' influences, in effect, can still be felt today.

====Mongol Conquests==Who did the Mongols Conquer? ==The Mongol conquests initiated by Genghis Khan, who united the often warring Mongol and Turkic tribes, in 1206 and continuing through his successors until the end of the 13th century launched a period of unprecedented destruction and transformation for Eurasia. At surface value, the destruction during the 13th century when these conquests took place was immense. Some have estimated that the Mongol invasions killed more people than any other war if one adjusted for global population levels, where up . Up to 5% of the planet may have been killed during the invasions. Additionally, the invasions have been suggested as helping to begin the spread of the Black Death plague, as population tactics and movements of population may have helped the bacteria to spread more easily spread. Many of the great cities in East Asia, Central Asia, and West Asia were either destroyed or lost much of their cultural property. Cities as diverse as Kiev, Nishapur, Samarkand, and Baghdad were heavily damaged or destroyed. In some countries, it is estimated that nearly half or more of the population died in the invasions and aftermath, where in some regions the populations did not fully recover until the 20th century.<ref>For more on the conquests by the Mongols, see: Saunders, J. J. (2001). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812217667/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0812217667&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a2218224825a7bf4fd3130e88ffef546 The History of the Mongol Conquests].</i> Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.</ref>

While the Mongol strategy appeared cruel, it was also intended to avoid major setbacks due to their relatively small numbers. The Mongols' major advantage the Mongols had was their ability to rapidly deploy deploying and attack attacking before their enemies had time to organize. The Mongols were often greatly outnumbered, but through divide and conquer tactics, deception, and superior tactical management, they were able to defeat overcame enemies that looked far stronger on paper. Additionally, to avoid revolts and other problems in areas they had already conquered, the Mongol strategy also included reducing these areas to the point where they could not be a threat again. This was not a universal policy, as Mongols did offer cities a chance to surrender and if . If they refused , then their penalty was often harsh in the near total destruction of the population. <ref>For more on Mongol war tactics, see: May, T. M. (2007). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594160465/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1594160465&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=2569b7ef3ae7584d75146e9b82e2dbe1 The Mongol Art of War: Chinggis Khan and the Mongol Military System].</i> Yardley, Penn: Westholme.</ref> While the Mongols' conquest peaked in the 13th century, they did continue to invade and attack various regions long after this time. In the 14th-15th centuries, China and Iran continued to be under Mongol control, while the Mughal state in India lasted into the 19th century and was influenced by the earlier Mongol invasions. Many of the key trade cities along the Silk Road and regions in China initially declined due to the invasions. Still, the situation soon changed as much of Eurasia remained pacified for much of the 13th-14th centuries, leading to regained prosperity along with parts of the Silk Road.<ref>For more on the political effects of the Mongols, see: Reid, S. (1994). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0921921284/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0921921284&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f8041ab54162c6f99e9ee1b327d05123 Cultures and Civilizations: The Silk and Spice Routes].</i> London: Belitha Press : UNESCO Pub.</ref>{{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}}== What was the Impact of the Mongol Invasions? ==[[File:Marco Polo - costume tartare.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Figure 2. Marco Polo dressed in Tatar clothing, often used by Mongols.]]The Mongol invasions did cause a prolonged peaceful period called the <i>Pax Mongolica</i>. While many of the great states contended with rivalries and their own regional conquests before the Mongols, this also limited some contacts between them. The Mongol dominion now opened up new connections that were easier to traverse as regions between Eastern Europe to China were largely pacified. The Mongols also acquired new technical knowledge, such as Chinese engineers and taxes, to expand their empire. This enabled them to create a more stable empire that then began to govern and see the benefit of developing cities for the Mongol rulers' benefit through increased revenue. Ultimately, the conquests led to a relative political calm in much of Eurasia that came after the initial conquests.<ref>For more on the "Pax Mongolica," see: Parker, C. H., & Bentley, J. H. (Eds.). (, 2007). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0742553108/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0742553108&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4a7c372accf0a93b89e5a926986d65c3 Between the Middle Ages and Modernity: Individual and Community in the Early Modern World]</i>. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, pg. 94.</ref> In Europe, and preceding the Age of Discovery that led to the founding of the New World, explorers such as Marco Polo could more easily go on the Silk Road and travel across Eurasia with minimal hindrance and banditry (Figure 2). Knowledge now also began to move across China more freely and Europe, leading to mathematics, medicine, printing, and astronomy to be brought to Europe. New forms of banking and insurance practices, first done in Eurasia, now also spread to Europe and helped lead to important banking and insurance families in Italy and beyond.  In effect, the knowledge and information transfer that became easier did help lead to what would become the Renaissance in Europe, where it was first started by Italians who were most closely associated with trade activities in the Silk Road and contacts with Eurasia.<ref>For more on the role of trade and contacts between Europe, the Middle East, China, and India during the late Medieval period, see: Hebron, L., & Stack, J. F. (2008). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1442258217/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1442258217&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=1c14c564354c6045651da570739aa3e7 Globalization: Debunking the Myths].</i> Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson Prentice Hall, pg. 2.</ref> <dh-ad/>

While the conquest of the Mongols peaked in the 13th centuryProducts such as pepper, ginger, cinnamon, they did continue to invade and attack various regions long after this time. In the 14th-15th centuriesnutmeg, China and Iran continued other spices were now introduced to be under Mongol control, while the Mughal state in India lasted into the 19th century and was influenced by the earlier Mongol invasionsEurope at much greater rates. Many of the key trade cities Prices for products dropped as fewer authorities competed for taxes collected along the Silk Road . Additionally, with increased trade activity once again becoming common, and regions in China did initially decline due new knowledge spread to the invasions but the situation soon changed as much of Eurasia remained pacified for much of the 13th-14th centuries, leading Europe. It developed within. There was a greater impetus to regained prosperity along parts of now circumvent the revitalized Silk Roadin the 15th century.<ref>For Traders saw the potential to benefit more on the political effects if parts of the Mongolstrade network were avoided, see: Reid, S. (1994). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0921921284/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0921921284&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f8041ab54162c6f99e9ee1b327d05123 Cultures and Civilizations: The Silk if distance and travel time could be cut to the major producing regions of India and Spice Routes].</i> London: Belitha Press : UNESCO PubChina could be reached.</ref>

====Impact of Invasions====[[File:Marco Polo - costume tartare.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Figure 2Improved navigation and shipbuilding now meant ships could traverse more distance and along open oceans. Marco Polo dressed in Tatar clothingIn effect, often used by Mongols.]]The Mongol invasions did cause a prolonged peaceful period called the <i>Pax Mongolica</i>. While in the period prior motive for later sea explorers, including Christopher Columbus, was to reach the Mongolseast's riches, many of the great states contended with rivalries and their own regional conquestsincluding India, this also limited some contacts between them. The Mongol dominion now opened up new connections that were easier to traverse as regions between Eastern Europe diminished prices and potential profits along Silk Road destinations proved to China were largely pacifiedbe very tempting. The Mongols also acquired new technical knowledgediscovery of the New World was, such as Chinese engineersin some ways, and taxes as they expanded their empire. This enabled them to create a more stable empire that then began to govern and see the benefit of developing cities for the benefit of influenced by the Mongol rulers through increased revenue. Ultimately, conquests since it reengaged Europe in trade with the conquests East and led to a relative political calm in much of Eurasia that came after explorers wanting to find new routes to circumvent intermediaries along the way to the initial conquestsmajor destinations and eventual markets.<ref>For more on the "Pax Mongolicaproducts and long-term impact on Europe based on increased interactions with the Silk Road," see: Parker, C. H., & BentleyArnold, J. HD. (Eds.). (20072002). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07425531080415279968/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=07425531080415279968&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4a7c372accf0a93b89e5a926986d65c3 Between the Middle Ages and Modernity: Individual and Community in the Early Modern Worlde5e4e6e021af4923a450a96d4ba3dc70 The Age of Discovery, 1400-1600]</i>(2nd ed). LanhamLondon ; New York: Rowman & LittlefieldRoutledge, pg. 946.</ref>

In Europe==How did Invasions Affect the Long-Term Demographics and Global Power?==Over time, and preceding the Age much of Discovery that led to the founding Mongols' influence has become more of the New World, explorers such as Marco Polo were now able a background to more easily go on other historical developments. Important trades shifted away from the Silk Road and travel across Eurasia with minimal hindrance and banditry (Figure 2). Knowledge now also began to more freely move across China and Europe, leading to methods in mathematics, medicine, printing, and astronomy to be brought to Europe. the New forms of banking and insurance practices, first done World gained a greater significance in Eurasia, now also spread to Europe and helped lead to the founding of important banking and insurance families in Italy and beyondglobal economy. In effectHowever, one area that the knowledge and information transfer that became easier did help lead Mongol invasions have continued to what would become affect is demographics. Central Asia has experienced some of the Renaissance in Europegreatest changes, where it was first started by Italians who were most closely associated with trade activities in the Silk Road and contacts with Eurasia.<ref>For more on the role decline of trade and contacts between Europe, the Middle East, China, and India during the late Medieval period, see: Hebron, L., & Stack, J. F. (2008). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1442258217/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1442258217&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0cIndo-Aryan or Indo-20&linkId=1c14c564354c6045651da570739aa3e7 Globalization: Debunking the Myths].</i> Upper Saddle RiverEuropean languages, N.J: Pearson Prentice Hallsuch as those based on Persian, pg. 2reflect a shift more to Turkic type languages.</ref>

Products such This also likely reflects a greater presence of Turkic populations as pepper, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, they increasingly moved across Central Asia during conquests that saw major cities and other spices now were introduced to Europe at much greater ratespopulations removed. Such migrations had begun in the 11th century but increased further. Prices Many regions remained relatively depopulated for products dropped centuries, such as fewer authorities competed for taxes collected along the Silk Road. AdditionallyIran and Iraq, with increased trade activity where those regions had once again becoming commonsupported far larger populations, and new knowledge spread to Europethose levels of populations did not fully recover until perhaps the 20th century. This also meant these regions became less significant in global affairs, as well as developed within, there was a greater impetus new powers arose to now circumvent the revitalized Silk Road replace them in the 15th century. Traders saw the potential to benefit more if parts of the trade network were avoided Near East and if distance and travel time could be cut to the major product surrounding regions of India and China could be reached.

Improved navigation ==How did the Mongols Change China?==In general, Central Asia and ship building now meant ships were better able to traverse the Middle East became more distance and along open oceansdepopulated. In effectAs they also lost their ability to control trade routes after navigation improved to circumvent the Silk Road routes, the motive this created new opportunities for later sea explorers, including Christopher Columbus, was to reach populations from the riches eastern parts of the east, including India, as diminished prices and potential profits along Silk Road destinations proved Central Asia to be very tempting. The discovery increasingly move into other regions of Central Asia and the New World was, in some waysMiddle East. Eventually, then influenced by the Mongol conquests since it reengaged Europe in trade with the East and this led to explorers wanting to find new routes to circumvent middlemen along more influence and the way to rise of Turkic based dynasties, which had begun already before the major destinations Mongols, and eventual marketsthe Ottoman Empire in Turkey.<ref>For more on the products demographic and long-term impact on Europe based on increased interactions with political changes due to the Silk RoadMongols, see: ArnoldHarris, DP. M. G. (20022001). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415279968/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415279968&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=e5e4e6e021af4923a450a96d4ba3dc70 The Age History of Discovery, 1400-1600] Human Populations.</i> (2nd ed). London ; New YorkWestport, Conn: Routledge, pg. 6Praeger.</ref>

====How Invasions Affected Long-Term Demographics and Global Power====Over timeIn China, much of the influence of the Mongols has become more of a background impacts did also lead to other historical new political developments. Important trades shifted away The Yuan dynasty became a successor Chinese state from the Silk Road, and the New World gained a greater significance in the global economyMongol khanate. However, one area that in China, the Mongol invasions invasion may not have continued been as destructive to affect is in demographics. Central Asia has experienced some of the greatest changespopulation, where the decline of Indo-Aryan or Indo-European languages, such as those based for Persian, reflect a shift more they seemed to Turkic type languages. This also likely reflects greater presence of Turkic populations as they increasingly moved across Central Asia during recover by the period of conquests that saw major cities 14th and populations removed. Such migrations had begun in the 11th century but increased further15th centuries. Many regions remained relatively depopulated for centuries, such as Iran and IraqNevertheless, where those regions had once supported far larger populations and those levels of populations did not fully recover until perhaps China's experience with the 20th century. This also meant these regions became less significant in global affairs, as new powers arose Mongol invasions may have contributed to replace them its isolationist policies that started in the Near East and surrounding regionslate 15th century.

In generalThe outside began to look like an uncivilized place, Central Asia and where the Middle East became more depopulated. As they also lost their ability to control trade routes after navigation improved to circumvent Mongol destruction was still relatively fresh on the Silk Road routesmind of Chinese rulers, this created new opportunities for populations leading to a greater focus away from the eastern parts rest of Central Asia to increasingly move into other regions of Central Asia and the Middle Eastworld. This had long-term consequences for China. Eventually, this It led to more influence its economic and rise eventually political decline in the latter half of Turkic based dynasties, which had begun already before the Mongols, 2nd millennium andleading up to the early 20th century. In effect, eventually, one of the Ottoman Empire in Turkeygreat global powers began to become insular. <ref>For more on demographic and political changes due to the impact of the Mongolson China, see: HarrisLanglois, PJ. MD. (Ed. G). (2001, 1981). <i>The History of Human Populations[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0691101108/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0691101108&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8934fcf4610d9efa9b62653d7cf5b7eb China Under Mongol Rule].</i> WestportPrinceton, ConnN.J: PraegerPrinceton University Press.</ref>

In China, the impacts did also lead to new political developments. ==Conclusion==The Yuan dynasty became a successor Chinese state from a Mongol khanateinvasions were among the most devastating invasions in global history. However, Few recorded events in China, the invasion may history caused by human actions have not been as destructive to the population, as they seemed to recover by and wars may not have reached a comparable scale until the 14th 19th and 15th 20th centuries. NeverthelessHowever, the experience of China with the Mongol there were greater impacts based on invasions may have contributed to its isolationist policies that started in the late 15th century. The outside began to look like an uncivilized place, where the Mongol destruction was still relatively fresh on the mind of Chinese rulers, leading to a greater focus away Mainly it also created opportunities for some regions while others saw their fortunes fall. Perhaps Europe benefited from the rest of the world. This had long-term consequences for China, invasions as it led to its economic and eventually political decline helped lower prices in the later half of the 2nd millennium and leading up to the early 20th century. In effect, one of the great global powers trade goods that now began to become insular.<ref>For flow more on the impact of the Mongols on China, see: Langlois, Jgreatly. D. (Ed.). (1981). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0691101108/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0691101108&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8934fcf4610d9efa9b62653d7cf5b7eb China Under Mongol Rule].</i> PrincetonThe new knowledge also flowed to Europe that helped to combine with shifting attitudes, N.J: Princeton University Presswhich eventually launched the Renaissance.</ref>

===Conclusion===The Mongol invasions were among the most devastating invasions in global history. Few recorded events in history caused by human actions have been as destructive and wars may have not reached a comparable scale until the 19th and 20th centuries. However, there were greater impacts based on the invasions, mainly it also created opportunities for some regions while others saw their fortunes fall. Perhaps Europe benefited from the invasions as it helped to lower prices in trade goods that now began to flow more greatly. New knowledge also flowed to Europe that helped to combine with shifting attitudes, which eventually launched the Renaissance. Other regions, particularly in the Middle East, declined in political and economic power, as depopulation had major consequences. Policies in China, in In part, China's policies also adjusted based on experiences with the Mongols, that which then led to new rulers in China to become, becoming more isolationist over time, more isolationist. Demographic changes occurred as new migrations became possible that have now subsequently affected today's populations in the Middle East and Central Asia in particular. Many of More Turkish based influences have subsequently replaced many Indo-Arayan languages across Central Asia have subsequently been replaced by more Turkish based influences.