Ghengis Khan Essay -- Chinese History Mongol Genghis Essays

Ghengis KhanGenghis Khan, or Ghengis Khan as he is more widely known, was born about the year 1162 to a Mongol old geezertain, Yesugei, and his wife. He was born with the name of Temujin, which means iron worker in his native language. When Temujin was born his fist was clutching a blood clot which was state an omen that he was destined to become a heroic warrior.Very elfin is known of Temujin until he was around age 13 when his father declared that his discussion was to find a fiance and get married. After several days of travel Temujin and Yesugei came across a tribe of Mongols that were very hospitable and welcoming. Temujin was not at that place long when he noticed a certain girl, Borte the daughter of the chieftain. She was destined to become his wife. Temujins father died when Temjin was still young, poisoned by a group of Tatars. The Tatars were the chief power on the eastern Mongolia at the cartridge holder, and long- time rivals of the Mongols. When Temujin heard how his father had died, vowed one day to avenge the death.Temujin left Borte, returned to his tribe, with the intention to declare himself attr transactioner. At this time he was 13 years of age. Senior members of the tribe ridiculed his plans rejected him as chief, and abandoned the youngster and his family to the Mongolian plains. While there were noble lineages among the Mongols, such as Temujins, they did not enjoy the automatic loyalty of others. Nor did seniority guarantee a position of influence or power. Leadership seems to have often been a more informal institution, open to those with the right to contest for it. As a result of this rejection, Temujin extended his vengeful intentions to his own clan members. Life was very hard for the family. It is related to that when Temujin discovered his own brother stealing food from the group had no hesitation in killing him. News that he was a stern leader that would kill his own brother to keep order became widely known. On a hunti ng trip he was ambushed by an enemy tribe and interpreted prisoner. While prisoner he killed his guard and escaped. The enemy searched, but excellent survival skills kept him alive until he could meet up with his own tribe. This act of courage spread his name to all parts of the Mongolian plains. Shortly after, another raid by strangers left the family with one horse and very little food. Temujin took chase but could not catch them. During hi... ...y populations were put into action as siege experts, and even the cavalry was a mixture of Mongol and other erratic groups. The success of the Mongol conquests should also be attributed at least in part to two other factors. One was military intelligence. The Mongols had an extensive network of spies and usually had extensive information of an enemy before they engaged them in battle. The other was their use of psychological warfare. Much is made of the total destruction of cities in interchange Asia by the Mongols. What is normally o verlooked, however, is that this was more of an exception than a rule. If a city capitulated, Ghengis Khan was usually content to let them be, once their defenses had been pulled down. Only those who resisted faced the sword. This not only wiped out resistance, but more importantly, word quickly spread of the wrath of Ghengis Khan, and many peoples found it easier to submit than to resist. In short, although the Mongol successes may surface astounding, they are explainable by ordinary means. One need not look for some mystical explanation. Indeed, to do so does a disservice to the original talents of Ghengis Khan and the Mongols of the thirteenth century.