Mongols take China

Hi this is Marco Polo, and I just came back home to Venice, Italy from my 25 year long exploration of China which is currently controlled by the Mongols.  It is the year 1295 and I was there so long because the Mogols are arguably the most interesting group I have ever known; let me tell you a bit about them and how they came into power over China.  In about 1200 the Mongols, who were essentialy nomads, came out of Central Asia, their native homeland, in search of conquest.  They succeded ruthlessly and conquered an area stretching across Asia to Europe.  During this process, they overran Sung China, or Northern China.  Once captured, they imposed their Mongol Rule on the remaining people.  Their ruthless and tremendous ruler Genghis Khan was one of the greatest men I will ever know.  Born in 1162, Genghis led the Mongols everywhere and ruled with such power, but sadly at the age of 73 he died in 1227 during a conquest.  The Mongols were good to the people they ruled once they brutally conquered them- they let them practice their religion and respected you none-the-less.  The grandson of Genghis, Kublai Kahn, took over in 1279 and conquered the Southern Sung, or Southern China.  Kublai named his dynasty the Yuan Dynasty- the Yuan Dynasty took over the Silk Road, a huge trading route, and extended the Grand Canal.  Sadly, earlier this year, Kublai died this year and the Yan declined.  That sums up the Mongols.  Thanks.
                          

Citation:  Carr, Dr. Karen. "Yuan Dynasty- Mongol Invasion." Kidipede. Portland State University, 10/20/2010. Web. 20 Oct 2010. <http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/china/history/mongol.htm