Genghis Khan Politics and economics

Genghis Khan Politics and economics

Genghis Khan was a strict and capable leader. He initiated a Mongol written code of law in which violaters would be put to death for minor offenses. Because of the ethnic, religious and tribal diversity of the civilians and soldiers of Mongol Empire, including modern day Persians, Chinese and Europeans, he transferred all loyalty only to himself (Great Khan) and no others. In order to sustain and replenish his army, Genghis Khan allowed leaders to remain in power as long as they provided military service, paid tribute and furnished labor on a constant basis. Having conquered a vast land, Genghis Khan encouraged trade and exchange; Mongols valued goods and trade that came from other lands and peoples. A unified Mongol Empire made travel across Asia far easier than it had been under a fractured group of minor kings, facilitating greater exposure to the West and travel for both Asians and Western traders (e.g. Marco Polo). Under Genghis Khan's rule, all "individuals and religions were equal under Mongol law".

Because of the extent of his empire, Genghis Khan deeply affected the cultures of many Asian countries, most notably China and Russia. He destroyed the existing aristocracy of every region he controlled, creating a rough meritocracy during that time. He created a wide postal system and spread the use of a universal alphabet, though he for many years was believed to be illiterate due to the estimated recentness of the language, and his age at its implementation. Recently, however, findings by Chinese and Mongolian academics have shown that Genghis Khan was a highly literate man. A handwritten note was proven to be his, and the contents of the note indicated that he was able to read Taoist sermons [1]. Trade and travel between China, the Middle East and Europe flourished through the political stability that Mongol Empire provided, re-establishing the Silk Road. He outlawed torture in his provinces, exempted teachers and doctors from taxes, and established freedom of religion. Various languages spread, such as Turkish; also, many different kinds of religion flourished because of freedom of religion. The Mongols introduced most of Asia to the abacus and the compass, and brought to Europe the explosives that were first created in China, as well as high-powered siege engines that the Chinese developed for European compatriots. Genghis Khan also united all the Mongol tribes, which some argue was his most significant achievement. It's claimed that Genghis Khan also stopped the division between southern and northern China that began from the time of Song Dynasty.