MONGOL INVASION OF CHINA (13th Century AD) (Essay Sample)

History Mongol Invasion of China (13th Century AD) Hamisi Karisa Course Number Course Name 17/05/2025 Explain in six paragraphs how both invading and settling influenced societies in the world's past. The final 1300-word essay should be built up of: an introduction including a bolded thesis, along with four paragraphs covering changes in 1)-social life, 2)-the economy, 3)-politics and 4)-religion and a conclusion. Use the four criteria as topics for the headings in your paper. Introduction Many historians call the Mongol invasion of China in the 13th century among the largest in world history. Thanks to Genghis Khan and all those who followed, the invasion successfully reformed Chinese society and altered the landscape of all of East Asia for years to come. During that time, the Jin dynasty governed the north, and the Southern Song governed the south of China. The Mongols conquered both empires using unfamiliar techniques and a strong force. They achieved real greatness by being flexible, forming solid bonds with others, discovering and promoting intercontinental trade, leading well, and relying on their strong army, which cannot be overlooked at any point, as far as the success of the Mongol rule and trade in China was concerned. China's system and day-to-day activities were still changed, even though people tried to stand up against Western culture. When the Mongols entered China, society, economic matters, politics, and religion changed greatly. Body Society When the Mongols took over China, they did not just take land—they changed how people lived and where they stood in society. They positioned themselves above all other groups, naming Central Asians as the second tier and ranking Northern and Southern Chinese together as the third. This upset many Han Chinese, especially the educated class, who lost influence and power.1 But at the same time, China became more open to outsiders. Artists, thinkers, and traders from all over Eurasia were welcomed, and they brought new ideas with them. Cities like Dadu (now Beijing) became more diverse. New languages, clothing styles, foods, and beliefs all mixed together.2 The Mongols allowed people to follow their own religions, and that helped create a kind of peaceful sharing of space. But this did not erase the tension. Many people were not happy with how things had changed. Confucian education lost status, and some traditions that had shaped society for generations were pushed aside.1 While the empire looked more united from the outside, underneath, there was a growing divide between ethnic groups. These social changes included mixing among cultures and a degree of discomfort. People got new ideas from each other, though they still held on to their old traditions. Even though globalization was the result of the Mongol invasion, it did not prevent the appearance of social divisions. These changes did not end after the Mongols were gone. Because of these factors, Chinese people began to see themselves differently in their society. Economy During Mongol rule, China's economy grew closer to that of the rest of the world. Trade was made safer by the Mongols, mainly on the Silk Road, which allowed merchants from Europe and the Middle East to take part. The Mongols welcomed them and often gave them special status . 4 China gained access to new products, creative approaches, and business solutions.2 However, with all these positive changes, not every single one of them benefited everyone. Under tax farming, the Mongols allowed outside merchants to collect taxes and keep a profit, affecting the Chinese farmers who used to live a peasant life while working on the farms as the backbone of the agricultural economy.1 The government did not give much attention to farming, unlike in the days of previous dynasties. The lack of support for irrigation meant that crops began to grow less. At the same time, too much paper money was printed without enough planning, which led to inflation.4 The Mongol court also spent a lot on military campaigns and luxury items, which drained resources that could have helped people.4 So while international trade was booming, the local economy had serious problems. Rich foreign elites got richer, while many Chinese peasants became poorer. Some cities grew, but rural life became harder. It is a story of imbalance—growth in one area came with hardship in another.3 The Mongols helped open China's doors to the world, but also left behind economic damage that took a long time to recover from. Politics Politics in China shifted dramatically under Mongol rule. When Kublai Khan set up the Yuan Dynasty, he made sure the Mongols and their close allies stayed in control.1 He stopped the traditional civil service exam, which meant educated Han Chinese lost their path to government jobs. Instead, top roles went to Mongols, Central Asians, and other trusted foreigners. This change created a power gap and made many native Chinese feel shut out of their own government.1 Even though some Song Dynasty structures were kept, the people running them were no longer Chinese as they were before. A tight circle of Mongol leaders and outside advisors made important decisions. It was not just a change in who ruled—it was a change in how rule was understood. The balance between tradition and new leadership tilted heavily toward outsiders. Confucian scholars, who had been respected for centuries, were pushed to the side.3 As time passed, this built tension. Some Chinese communities resisted quietly, while others openly pushed back. The Mongols managed to keep order through strict laws and military strength, but struggled to earn real loyalty.3 The Yuan Dynasty ruled, but it never truly belonged to the people it governed. Even after the dynasty ended, this period left behind a sense of political mistrust. People remembered the feeling of being governed by people from another country.4 The result of this change provided examples for Chinese leaders on approaching power, openness for all, and the trouble that comes from ignoring local opinions. Religious Structures Religion was not the same under Mongol rule as it had been under previous emperors. Kublai Khan and the government believed that individuals could practice their own beliefs.4 Buddhists, Daoists, Muslims, Christians, and Confucians had little difficulty worshiping and even received official encouragement.5 Tibetan monks soon became important guides for the Mongols, and their influence extended to politics as well, while education and government began to relate to Confucianism less and less. Meanwhile, Chinese leaders reached out to Muslim and Christian experts from Central Asia and beyond, giving them roles in the court.1 Even so, there were people who felt these changes were unfair. Several native Chinese felt that their own traditions were being ignored or edged out. Older temples closed or stopped getting support, and newer religions began to grow more popular.5 Consequently, leaders of Confucian and Daoist groups began to feel like odd ones out and out of place among the community, leading to stress, but they, however, did not show it. There was real diversity, yet there were clear gaps between people.1 Religious freedom practiced by the Mongols wasn't simply about kindness; it also served to stop groups from committing acts of rebellion. For a period, it managed all right, although it left many locals feeling they did not recognize their religious world anymore.4 While the Yuan Dynasty welcomed writers with new ideas, it also cr...