Question

The Mongol conquests ranged from East Asia to Eastern Europe during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. This relatively short period of time was crucial in establishing new international contacts. Which societies gained the most as a result of the Mongol period? Which societies gained the least? In your response, consider the following regions: West Africa, Western Europe, South Asia, West Asia, and East Asia.

Answer 1

Answer:

Societies that gained the least:

West Africa - contact with Mongols was very brief, and mostly resulted in war.

Western Europe - contact with Mongols was very limited. The Mongols only reached as west as Hungary.

West Asia - the Mongols had a very negative impact on the Islamic societies of the area. For example, Baghdad, at the time one of the most important cities in the world, fell to the Mongols, and was almost completely destroyed.

Societies that gained the most:

South Asia - The Mongols invaded India and set up the Mughal Empire, which resulted in great cultural achievements in architecture, painting, literature, and so on.

East Asia - The Mongols also invaded China and established the Yuan Dynasty, which ruled for over 150 years. They also tried to invade Japan twice, but were unsuccessful.