Objectives for This Lesson s2

08.02 Travel Journal Objectives for this lesson:  Identify key figures from classical and post classical China  Explain the rise and expansion of the Mongol Empire  Explain the Mongol Empire’s effect on people of Asia and Europe  Discuss the achievements of Genghis and Kublai Khan Questions to answer: -How did the geography of the Mongol Empire change over time? 1. How is the Gobi desert different from most deserts?

2. What is a plateau?

3. What are steppes?

4. How much bigger was the Mongolian Empire compared to the Roman Empire?

-What was life like for the nomads in Mongolia before the Mongol Empire? Specific questions to answer:

1. What does the word, “khan” stand for?

2. Were the Mongols nomads?

3. How did the Chinese keep the Mongols from conquering them?

4. Who was Termujin?

-What techniques did Genghis Khan use in battle?

Specific questions to answer:

1. Why did Genghis Khan want to attack major Chinese cities first? Why was this a good strategy?

2. What was the benefit of having the trebuchet?

3. What was a siege? -What were some of Genghis Khan’s accomplishments as a ruler?

Specific questions to answer: 1. Read this quote and then explain how this makes Genghis Khan different from rulers of the past: a. He once said, "Heaven grew weary of the excessive pride and luxury of China....I am from the Barbaric North. I wear the same clothing and eat the same food as the cowherds and horse- herders. We make the same sacrifices and we share our riches. I look upon the nation as a new-born child and I care for my soldiers as though they were my brothers." b. **Please make sure you have completed the exercise on the “Yassa” 2. Did Genghis Khan always give important positions/ranks to upper class citizens? Why or why not? 3. Based on paragraph #4, what things did Genghis Khan do that many people may not realize?

-How did China change under Kublai Khan? Specific questions to answer: 1. Based on paragraph #3, what were the main achievements of Kublai Khan? 2. As stated in the final paragraph, Kublia Khan divided China into 4 classes. Why was this a bad idea for him later on?

-How did Marco Polo change the relationship between Europe and China? Specific questions to answer:

1. Where is Marco Polo from?

2. At what age did Marco Polo travel?

3. What did Marco Polo stay with?

4. What did Marco Polo learn from staying in China for 17 years?

5. What affect did Marco Polo’s travels have on the future generations?

6. What do you think Marco Polo meant when he said, “I did not tell half of what I saw.” -What caused the downfall of the Mongol Empire? Specific questions to answer: 1. Did the Mongol’s Empire length help or hurt them? 2. What similar fate did the Mongol face like the Romans? (consider the size) 3. What similarities do you notice between the emperors of Rome “after” the Pax Romana and the leaders of the Mongolian Empire “after” the death of Genghis Khan and Kublia Khan? 4. What was the Black Death? 5. What is a plague? 6. How did the Black Death contribute to the fall of the empire?