Yuan Dynasty Emperors

The Yuan Dynasty Under the Mongols

The peoples of the northern steppe had fought the Chinese for centuries. When the Mongols united under Genghis Khan's rule, they became a formidable power.

The Mongols swept across northern China and destroyed many cities along the way. The Mongols and Chinese continued fighting for years until Kublai Khan reigned over the Mongols.

Before Kublai Khan's reign, the Mongols allied themselves with the Chinese of the Southern Song to defeat the Jin Dynasty of the north, which fell in 1234. Once the Jin were conquered, the Mongols attacked the Southern Song, which eventually led to Kublai Khan ruling over the whole country.

In 1271, Kublai Khan proclaimed his own dynasty, which he called the Yuan. Yet after his death, the empire started to weaken. Kublai Khan's heirs fought over power while the government became corrupt, which led to its downfall.

Peasant uprisings continued throughout the 14th century until rebels who emerged from the Red Turban movement brought the Yuan Dynasty to an end. The Yuan's demise brought about a new empire, the Ming Dynasty.

Culture During the Yuan Dynasty

During the Yuan Dynasty, parts of Chinese culture still flourished. The rulers of the period encouraged the arts, including painting, ceramics and drama. In time, the Mongols came to resemble the Chinese in some respects.

The Mongols were a small part of the population of China. However, many of them still tried to keep their own culture. They still lived in tents, married other Mongols and drank fermented milk.