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Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire Kurultai Abstract
MUNAA 2017
Introduction
Greetings, honorable chiefs, Khans, and ambassadors. Welcome to the Kurultai of the Mongol
Empire. This committee is set in the year 1206, and anything that occurred after the naming of the
Great Khan is assumed not to have happened yet. The committee may follow the path of history,
take a different route entirely—it’s up to the delegates.
Your role is to provide sound political, military, economic, and social counsel to the newly-named
Universal Ruler of the tribes, Genghis Khan (the Dais). Challenges that the committee may face
include conflicts with neighboring dynasties, maintaining military order and strength, developing
infrastructure within the domain, and ensuring the dominance of the Mongol Empire. Delegates
should familiarize themselves with the history of the Mongol Empire, Genghis Khan’s life, the
relationships Genghis Khan had with his advisors and allies, and the structure and function of the
Mongol political and military systems.
Campaigns
The Kurultai will need to decide on actions to take in response to neighboring rival empires. To the
south and east, there exist the Western Xia, Jin, and Song dynasties. To the north lies Siberia. To the
west is Central Asia and East Persia, which consists of the Kara Khitai and Khwarezmian dynasties.
1 2
While there is potential to form alliances with some of these groups, we have the capability to
soundly defeat them in battle, should it be necessary. We must, however, focus our efforts and not
instigate more than is manageable or worth the time. It is important to have allies with whom to
trade, and who will back us in times of war, but it is uncertain how other empires will respond to
our actions and equally uncertain who can be trusted.
We must remain alert to any signs of betrayal, and be willing to exploit any weaknesses of our
enemies. A balance must be struck between conquest and diplomacy.
Military
In order to preserve the strength of the empire, its military power must be unmatched. Part of the
uniqueness of the Mongol system is its perfection of cavalry and archery techniques. Additional
1
2
Lessman, T. (2008, January 12). Eastern Hemisphere, 1200 AD. Retrieved October 14, 2016
Jarus, O. (2014, February 10). Genghis Khan, Founder of Mongol Empire: Facts & Biography. Retrieved October 14,
2016
skills include siege warfare, bridge-building, coordinated strikes, and efficient military divisions. 3 4 5
To manage such large armies, the empire must have sufficient resources—namely, arms, horses, and
provisions. The empire must further develop strategies for maintaining and growing our armies’
sizes and capabilities, including espionage. To be aware of rivals’ plots and actions before they occur
is a significant advantage. Espionage tactics include using spies, spreading news via Mongol caravans,
and gathering intelligence from prisoners of war.
Delegates should research what made the military of the Mongol Empire effective.
Society
Currently, the tribes lack order. There is no common written language throughout the land, the
population is unknown, and there is no efficient means of communication across the expanse of the
domain. It is dangerous to travel the roads of the Empire, and, while the Empire itself uniformly
practices Shamanism, between the Buddhists, Confucians, Muslims, and Christians that border it or
live in the surrounding world, there is potential for religious conflict. 6
Additionally, as the tribes have only recently become unified, there is no common governing law, and
the tribal aristocracy remains divisive between classes. 7 8 Delegates should look into the social
aspects of the Empire, such as major cities and population patterns, demographics, food and
hunger, trade and economics, and treatment of artists and artisans as well as laborers.
Further research
Battle Tactics | Genghis Khan. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2016, from http://
genghiskhan.fieldmuseum.org/behind-the-scenes/establishing-an-empire/battletactics
Bawden, C. R. (n.d.). Genghis Khan. Retrieved October 14, 2016, from https://
www.britannica.com/biography/Genghis-Khan'
3
Genghis Khan Biography. (2015, November 6). Retrieved October 14, 2016
4
Onon, U. (2001). The secret history of the Mongols: The life and times of Chinggis Khan. Richmond, Surrey: Curzon.
5
Battle Tactics | Genghis Khan. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2016
6
The Mongols in World History | Asia Topics in World History. (2004). Retrieved October 14, 2016
7
The Yasa of Genghis Khan. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2016
8
Tseveen, O., Battsetseg, G., & Shagdarsuren, B. (2009, May). UPDATE: The Mongolian Legal System and Laws: A
Brief Overview. Retrieved October 14, 2016
Genghis Khan Biography. (2015, November 6). Retrieved October 14, 2016, from http://
www.biography.com/people/genghis-khan-9308634
History.com Staff. (2009). Genghis Khan. Retrieved October 14, 2016, from http://
www.history.com/topics/genghis-khan
Jarus, O. (2014, February 10). Genghis Khan, Founder of Mongol Empire: Facts & Biography.
Retrieved October 14, 2016, from http://www.livescience.com/43260-genghis-khan.html
Lessman, T. (2008, January 12). Eastern Hemisphere, 1200 AD. Retrieved October 14, 2016, from
http://www.worldhistorymaps.info/images/East-Hem_1200ad.jpg
The Mongols in World History | Asia Topics in World History. (2004). Retrieved October 14, 2016,
from http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/figures/figu_geng_legacy.htm
Onon, U. (2001). The secret history of the Mongols: The life and times of Chinggis Khan.
Richmond, Surrey: Curzon.
Tseveen, O., Battsetseg, G., & Shagdarsuren, B. (2009, May). UPDATE: The Mongolian Legal
System and Laws: A Brief Overview. Retrieved October 14, 2016, from http://
www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Mongolia1.html
The Yasa of Genghis Khan. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2016, from http://history.culturalchina.com/en/46H2406H11139.html