The Mongol Empire is a powerful and numerous army consisting of nomadic people. It was formed at the beginning of the XIII century, headed by Temujin, who took the title “Khan of all Mongols,” “great Khan” (Genghis Khan). Mongolian invasions covered vast areas in the XIII century. The nomads destroyed and devastated all the regions of the globe known to them, including a part of Western Europe. The great Mongol Empire kept the whole world in fear. Under the leadership of the great Khan, his army ruined ancient and prosperous cities, stole and killed residents, or took people into slavery. The invasions have caused a demographic and economic crisis, as well as the decline of culture, values, and traditions in many countries.
On the other hand, the era of Genghis Khan has its positive aspects and good outcome. For example, the Mongols established a profitable trade with merchants and provided them with comprehensive support, thereby increasing cultural exchange and wealth. Between China and Europe, relatively secure trade relations along the Great Silk Road were established. As the cross-cultural ties became more intense and extensive, more and more goods were sold and exchanged.
In addition, long-distance trade, human migration, and imperial expansion actively involved people from different societies in meaningful cross-cultural interactions. At Pax Mongolica, people exchanged knowledge, information, and cultural identity. Various religious movements and teachings were widely spread during this era. Europeans have learned how to print and make high-quality paper. Moreover, medicine has become one of the many areas of life and culture. As a result, all doctors from the Middle East went to Western centers.
Later, one of the most significant moments in Pax Mongolica was the introduction of deadly inventions to the West, weapons and gunpowder. In the future, European states will have to go through a military-technical revolution, improving firearms technology. It was the last contribution that “tartars” made to the West, and it is difficult to classify it as good or bad (Hansen and Curtis 400-433). Thus, despite the horrors of the plague, a huge variety of new consumer goods, agriculture, weapons, religion, and medical science development appeared in Europe.
Work Cited
Hansen, Valerie and Curtis Ken. Voyages in World History, Volume 1. Cengage Learning, 2016.