Genghis Khan, trade warrior (2021)
Genghis Khan's establishment of Pax Mongolica in the 13th century enhanced global trade and cultural exchange, particularly between Europe and China, while promoting merchant status and implementing supportive local policies.
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Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, significantly impacted global trade and cultural exchange during the 13th century through the establishment of Pax Mongolica. This period of relative peace allowed for safe passage along trade routes, notably the Silk Road, facilitating interactions between Europe and China. Marco Polo's journey to China exemplified this connectivity, as he traveled under the protection of the Mongol Empire, which provided infrastructure and security for merchants. Genghis Khan's innovative administrative strategies, including meritocracy and the integration of non-Mongol advisers, enabled him to govern a vast and diverse population effectively. The Mongols promoted trade by elevating the status of merchants and creating a system for sharing the spoils of conquest, which encouraged economic exchange across their empire. Despite the violence associated with their conquests, the Mongols implemented policies that sometimes benefited the local populations, such as tax relief during disasters. The legacy of Pax Mongolica is seen as a pivotal moment in the onset of global history, fostering the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies that shaped future civilizations.
- Genghis Khan established Pax Mongolica, promoting trade and cultural exchange between Europe and China.
- Marco Polo's travels were made possible by the security and infrastructure provided by the Mongol Empire.
- Genghis Khan's administration utilized meritocracy and non-Mongol advisers to govern effectively.
- The Mongols elevated the status of merchants, encouraging trade and economic growth.
- Despite their violent conquests, some Mongol policies aimed to support local populations during hardships.
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4 commentshttps://fee.org/articles/marco-polo-on-money/
Marco Polo concludes:
> in this way, nearly all the valuables in the country come into the Khan’s possession.
Weird how the Fed didn’t mention that part.
Marco Polo’s account of the Khanate helped me to understand better how our own money system works. Not too different in its essentials from a giant Chuck E Cheese or Disneyland where you buy special tokens on entry.
This completely undersells Genghis Khan’s use of terror. Everyone knew what happened if you resisted the Mongols. Khwarazm and Baghdad were illustrations of their willingness for wholesale slaughter. And the massacres were designed to inspire terror with horrific cruelty broadcast widely.
Still sounds capricious to me, but at least the Mongols understood you can’t get blood from a turnip.
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