Mongol Imperialism

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Imperialism has shaped the governments, social structures and cultures of the world we know them today. As a constant throughout history, imperialism can be defined as a system in which a country rules other countries, sometimes having used force to get power over them . This force may be economic in origin, however it is more common to be predominantly military based, as seen in the ancient Empire of the Mongols (1206 - 1368) and the modern Empire of the Japanese (1868 - 1945). The Mongol Empire took formation under the rule of Genghis Khan in 1206 (See Appendix A), and is the largest contiguous empire is World history. Obtaining over 33 million square kilometers and having a population of around 100 million at its peak, their territory encompassed…show more content…
The Mongol Empire had not only ecological reasoning (seasonal weather changes affecting crops, need for more grasslands for herds, etc.), but also religious due to the shamanic beliefs of Genghis Khan (it is said that Tenggeri, a Mongol sky god, challenged Genghis in a dream to bring the rest of the world ‘under one sword’) and his dream of a single, united Mongol Empire. This motive eventually changed to one of an economic nature, with the Mongols ‘connecting the East with the West’ with the Pax Mongolica allowing trade and safe travelling for both merchants and civilians. The Japanese Empire, on the other hand, had a single, unchanging motive of dominance and power. (See Appendix F) In 1931 the Japanese Army acted independently, invading Manchuria and starting Japans series of conquests for power. (See Appendix D and…show more content…
Where the Japanese Emperors had to rule by a constitution, Genghis Khan created a code of law called Yasa, meaning ‘order’ or ‘decree.’ The Mongols were more merciful than the Japanese, preserving the lives, traditions and religions of the areas that they captured, however any resistance to their invasions resulted in brutal, destructive violence. Despite their use of force in growing their territory, they were known for their high tolerance towards most religions, particularly in the 13th Century under the rule of Genghis Khan, where religions including Buddhism, Christianity, Manichaeism and Islam could be represented in the Mongol Empire. Their success was well known throughout the ancient world, and the fear of total destruction not only caused mass population migration in an attempt to escape, but also resulted in most areas surrendering rather than fighting. The lack of restriction allowed them to enforce the Pax Mongolica (Latin for “Mongol Peace”), stabilizing peace, economic development and cultural acceptance and growth throughout the new Empire. This combination allowed cultures to combine with others in a peaceful way to create new philosophies. It also allowed the previous leaders of captured lands to remain in power in exchange for their respect to the Mongol traditions and leadership. The Japanese Empire on the other hand ruled with
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