MONGOLS AND CHINA ONLINE SIMULATION

IN 1279 CE, THE MONGOLS INVADED AND CONQUERED THE SONG DYNASTY IN CHINA. IT WILL BE YOUR JOB TO DETERMINE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CLIMATE IN SOUTH EAST ASIA?

Your assignment is to participate in a Discussion Board Simulation about Kublai Khan’s invasion of China. During this simulation you will try to determine the following:

·  What options do Kublai Khan and the Mongols have in China?

·  How should they establish the Yuan Dynasty?

·  How should the Mongols rule China?

In order to complete the assignment, you will first be assigned a role (Mongolian noble, Mongolian warrior, etc.) and then must read your textbook and the Mongols in China secondary source. Next, please complete the following steps:

** Everyone must post 3 times to the Mongols Activity Discussion Board in your assigned character. Each posting should be detailed and demonstrate a knowledge of the time period. **

·  Post your own recommendations to Kublai Khan on how he can successfully rule China. Be sure they are realistic and highlight your persona’s perspective!

·  Respond to 2 classmates postings. Address their ideas, issues your character might have with their solutions and applaud their innovations. Remember, in the end you would be advising Kublai Khan together!

If you want some assistance while thinking about advising Kublai Khan, consider the following questions (please do not answer all of them, they are guidance!):

  1. What shall be our relationship with the Chinese?
    Should we stay away from them?
    Should we socialize with them?
    Inter-marry?
    Learn Chinese?
    Should we make them work for us?
    Shall we have a census to determine who is in the empire and who can pay taxes?
    Should we use them in government posts?
    If so, in what jobs?
    Should we use them only as advisors?
    Can we really ever trust them?
    What if they do not want to help us rule, how shall we get them into the government?
  1. How shall we govern?
    Do we want to appear to be just like the Chinese?
    What kind of bureaucracy shall we create?
    Should our military leaders govern certain areas?
    Should we keep the Chinese bureaucracy in place?
    If so, do we use the Chinese bureaucrats?
    Can we trust them?
    Should we use our own people?
    Are they literate enough?
    Would it be better to use Mongol warriors or Muslim traders?
    How shall we select the bureaucrats?
    Should we use some form of an exam system like the Chinese have?
  1. What should we do about the land?
    Should we give it to our own tribal warriors in reward for their loyalty and courage?
    Should we allow the Chinese farmers to stay on the land and farm it?
    Should we turn the land into grazing and hunting areas?
    Should we set a standard tax rate and keep an eye on the people who are collecting taxes or should we leave them alone and let them squeeze as much out of the peasants as they can?
    Should we support trade and make it easier for merchants by improving communication or creating money?
  1. Where shall we have as our political center?
    Should we keep our nomadic way of life and have the capital wherever the leader is, under his text?
    Should we build a permanent capital in the steppe land so that we can maintain our nomadic lifestyle and keep good contact with other Mongol groups?
    Should we build a permanent capital in the agricultural area so we can control the Chinese people more effectively?
    Should we have two capitals, one outside the wall and one inside the wall?