Genghis Khan example essay topic

Genghis Khan was born as Temujin in central Mongolia. This was the year of 1167. When he was born, he had a small lump of blood clutched in his fist. This blood clot was considered to be a sign that this newborn was going to be a hero.

A hero he was, even at a young age he was able to reveal himself as a potential ruler with much courage and intelligence. Temujin became the head of the family at the age of 9 when his father, Yesugei, was slain by a rival nomadic tribe called the Tartars. The family was forced into exile and poverty. Temujin was taken as a prisoner after another tribe raided their camp.

He was placed under a heavy wooden collar around his neck to prevent escape. Temujin was able to escape and return to his tribe with a reputation as a fierce warrior while still only a young teenager. Before even turning 20, he was able to create allies and marry the daughter of a powerful neighbor. His wife was kidnapped by a rival tribe called the Merkits. It took less than year for him to defeat this tribe and rescue his wife. The way he handled the Merkits drew other tribes to his side.

Temujin was able to attack and overcome anyone that opposed him. Those he defeated were give the choice of either joining his side or being put to death. By the age of twenty-five, Temujin had unified all the Mongol tribes into one. His new title was given in 1183.

He was now reined as Genghis Khan, meaning "precious king". I think Genghis Khan was more helpful to Mongolia because he was able to conquer two-thirds of the known world to create the Mongol nation. Many consider him to be one of the greatest military leaders of all time. His tactics led him to conquer the lands of China, Russia, and even into Europe.

Even after his death, the empire lasted for more than 150 years under his sons and grandsons. One of Genghis Khan's contributions to the world were his military tactics. His system was built upon a system of ten. There were ten to a squad, ten squads to a company, ten companies to a regiment, and ten thousand were called "Tu mens". Each soldier had at least one horse and carried their own food. They went through severe training and discipline.

Khan also had a network of spies who would report for enemy strengths, weaknesses, and locations. If the scouts were able to find a weakness, Khan would attack with heavy cavalry leading the way. Horsemen would be split into groups to look for weak spots during battle and enclose strong points. Archers would be in the rear of the conflicts for support. This offense was called "blitzkrieg" warfare that influenced combat styles for many years. Genghis Khan used fear, terror, and fright as tactics.

The army wouldn't take many prisoners but instead kill civilians and soldiers in captured cities. Potential enemies began to flee instead of facing against these "barbarians". When he finally united all of Mongolia he began to look elsewhere for expansion. His army began to evolve with weapons like catapults and siege machines, which could dissemble to be carried by pack animals. In 1206, he began to attack China with this extremely mobile army that was superior to any other in its time. The "Great Wall" was and all of China was defeated by 1215.

Genghis Khan added the peninsula of Korea in 1218 to his empire. In 1219 he decided to avenge the murders of Mongol traders by taking over a region that includes Iran, Iraq, and Western Turkestan. By 1222, he had attacked Russia and occupied lands stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Artic Ocean. Even though Genghis Khan was a murderer and conqueror, he was still a leader to his empire. He established practical governments and made sure that food was ample. He didn't persecute anyone for religious activities and ensured there was security for everyone.

Khan was not just a barbarian who took over lands, but cared about those he defeated by leaving them an improvement in their lives. Temujin was able to prove himself as a hero from a young age and fulfilled his destiny. I was surprised by how one man could have such courage and intelligence to build the largest empire ever. By 1226, his empire was stretched from Korea in the east, Poland in the west, Russia's Artic Ocean in the North, and Vietnam in the south. A year later, while he was returning back to Mongolia from China, he died.

Well over 60, his health had been declining. The Mongolia nation still stands today even though there were subjugated parts. Genghis Khan is now a national hero in Mongolia. His accomplishments can directly relate to world domination. His military skills and tactics have really amazed me. In a time way before other great military leaders in history, Genghis Khan truly deserves to be called the "emperor of all emperors". R.P. Lister: Genghis Khan.

New York, New York: Stein and Day, 1969. H. Desmond Martin: The Rise of Chingis Khan and his Conquest of North China. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press, 1950 Henry H. How orth: History of the Mongols. London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1876 B. Ya. Vladmirtsov: The Life of Chingis-Khan. Translated from Russian by Prince D.S. Minsky. London: Routledge, 1930.