Historical Perspectives: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES: HOW BRUTAL WAS GENGHIS KHAN?

Was Genghis Khan a brutal destroyer who murdered millions, or was he a great unifier who promoted prosperity by unifying most of Eurasia?

The Destroyer Many historians emphasize that Khan was a bloodthirsty tyrant. Military historian Steven R. Ward writes that “Overall, the Mongol violence and depredations killed up to three- fourths of the population of the Iranian Plateau.” Total deaths attributed to the Mongols during his rule and the rule of his descendants are in the tens of millions. Stories of his massacres of innocent people and of using unarmed civilians to protect his own soldiers show him to have had little regard for human life.

The Empire Builder Other historians focus on Khan’s role as a great leader. Mongolian scholars, proud of their countryman, argue that charges of brutality have been exaggerated. As historians from Europe and the United States focused more on trade and toleration, they saw benefits of the Mongol rule, often referring to Pax Mongolica. Genghis Khan forged a united China and established a system of Eurasian trade that renewed the links between China and Europe that had lapsed. Further, the Mongols were open to ideas and tolerant of different religions. Khan believed in a meritocracy, and he established one writing system across his empire. His rule opened the way for new systems of laws, for trade, and for cultural expansion.

A Man of Energy One Persian historian takes a position broad enough that everyone can agree with: “Genghis was possessed of great energy, discernment, genius, and understanding, awe-inspiring, a butcher, just, resolute, an over-thrower of enemies, intrepid, sanguinary, and cruel.”

Develop an Argument: Evaluate the extent to which historical evidence supports one of the perspectives of Genghis Khan.