The Mongol Conquests and Empire (MP3 finals)

The most important accomplishments of the Mongol Empire include establishing the largest land empire in history, promoting international trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road, fostering religious tolerance and supporting the spread of Buddhism and Islam, and creating a centralized administration system that influenced later empires.

Genghis Khan is remembered as one of the great Khans due to his exceptional military leadership and tactics, his ability to unite the Mongol tribes, his expansion of the Mongol Empire to become the largest land empire in history, and his influence on later empires and world history.

In the years after Genghis Khan's death, the Mongol Empire continued to expand under the rule of his successors, with notable conquests including China, Russia, and parts of Eastern Europe. However, internal conflicts, the spread of the Black Death, and overextension eventually led to the empire's fragmentation and decline.

Europeans initially viewed Marco Polo's account of his time in China with skepticism, as many found it difficult to believe his descriptions of the wealth, culture, and technological advancements of the Chinese. However, his book "The Travels of Marco Polo" became increasingly popular and influential in Europe, and played a role in shaping European perceptions of Asia and inspiring further exploration and trade.

Kublai Khan generally treated his Chinese subjects with tolerance and respect, allowing them to retain their cultural traditions and employing them in government positions while also promoting Mongol cultural and administrative practices.

Kublai Khan encouraged trade by promoting the construction of infrastructure such as roads and canals, issuing paper money to facilitate commerce, and establishing the Mongol Empire as a secure and stable trading hub between Europe and Asia.