👩‍💻👨‍💻Discussion # 9, Hist 1.1: Mongols

Topic: Conquest or Alliance?

Image: Mongol Nobles Hunting

The Mongols left behind a mixed legacy. They were brutal and destructive conquerors but at the same time they promoted trade, innovation, stability, and order in the lands that they ruled. This week we took a look at the Mongols and their rapid transformation from nomads to conquerors. We studied their culture and way of life, the rise of Genghis Khan, and the Mongol conquests. I want to make sure you understand why the Mongols were so successful and that you are able to evaluate their effect that they had on all the societies that they interacted with. I also want you to evaluate their role in reviving and protecting the trade routes from Asia to the Mediterranean. 

In the long run, the Mongol conquests also transformed their own nomadic society. They adopted many features of the cultures they conquered, including governance structures, economic patterns, and religious beliefs. By forcibly uniting large parts of Eurasia, the Mongols fostered connections enabled the spread of ideas and innovations like gunpowder, printing, paper money, and ultimately enhanced the wealth and power of the world they made.

Directions: Write two posts, first answer the questions, and then respond to a classmate

Post # 1: Read the Mongols Document, your notes, do some careful research, and watch the videos. This involves some role-playing: Pretend you are a Mongol warrior and adviser to the Genghis Khan and he is asking for advice about expanding into other territories. Advise the ruler to conquer neighboring territories and explain why this is necessary. How would this expansion benefit your ruler, your people, and your economy? Would there be any benefit to the conquered people?

See the Discussion Guidelines for more information. This post should be concise and address all parts of the prompt. Your points will be based on completion of the assignment (based on the rubric) and whether you use support from the text, lecture, or internet--6 points total, 3 for your initial post and 3 for replying to someone's post. Your post should be about a paragraph long and your reply to someone's post should be a paragraph as well.

I recommend that you create your initial post by Nov 23, at 11:59 pm so that others may have an opportunity to reply.

Post # 2: You must also contribute a Response to 1 classmate's post: Read another student's post and pretend you are an economic adviser to the same ruler and you disagree with the idea of being too aggressive. Respond to the points made by the other adviser and add your own ideas about how to become stronger through peaceful alliances and trade instead of conquest. How would violence destabilize society and trade in the conquered regions?

Posts can have more than one reply. Follow the netiquette guidelines below and use evidence to support or disagree with the original post. This is not a place for insults or arguments so use proper language such as "Your advice is wise, but I think that..."

Your Response is due by Nov 24, at 11:59 pm.

• This assignment is worth 6 points, 3 for your initial post and 3 for your reply to someone else's post
• Turning this assignment in late will result in loss of 1 point per day, up to 3 points
• Click on the reply button, below to get started

Expected Learning Outcome:

Students will critically analyze two different points of view of the expansion of the Mongols

Rubric:

To view the rubric attached to this discussion, click on the gear box in the upper right and select Show Rubric

Netiquette:

• • Be kind and respectful to others
  • Use full sentences
  • Avoid jargon and acronyms
  • Use language that supports others