During the time period of 1206 - 1370, the Mongol Empire was able to accomplish the conquest of the

territory from East Asia to the Middle East with the use of military tactics and adequate weapons. The Mongols were able to conquer such a large territory within such a short period of time with the utility of weaponry. In Doc 3, Marco Polo documented that on his travels to the Mongol Empire he observed that the weapon that the soldiers of the Mongol Empire were most skillful with was the bow, where they interwove it into their childhood games, and the sports that were played. With this employment of the bow in their childhood and sports, soldiers became skilled with the bow before they are apart of an army. The point of view from marco polo is useful because it shows that the training and skillfulness of the warriors wasnt missed on foreigners that traveled to the empire. The efficient nature of the soldiers were broadcasted for all to see, even Marco Polo. In Doc. 5, William of Rubruck, another foreigner to the Mongol empire, documented the impact of weapons on the military effort in the Mongol Empire. He documents that rigor in which men create weapons and tools to be used in battle. He explains how men make bows, arrows, saddles and wagons to be then used in battle. With this documentation, the reader understands that this manufacturing of weapons and tools is important, because this is where it is all created. Document ten is an image of warriors on horses in the snow, still in battle where they are shooting bows from their arrows. Also in the illustration, beyond the focal image of the warriors fighting, we see a front of soldiers beyond them in fighting position. The illustration of men on horse, while in the snow, still using the bows and arrows shows that weapons were a major factor in whether or not they would conquer any area. The weapons were an extension of themselves, a tool to be used to defend and kill opponents. In these documents, we see that the Mongols were successful in conquering such a large territory within such a short period of time because their weapons were always being used, and also that their skillfulness with the weapons helped them succeed in their conquests. The Mongols were able to conquer a large territory within such a short period of time, also due to the military tactics and strategies adopted by commanding officers and soldiers in battle. In Document 1, a narration of several conquests by the army under Chinggis Khan, particularly the defeat of the Cathayan army. In explains the military tactic of pretending to retreat, then when the come out far enough, the army attacks. This tactic was useful because it brought the army out, where you can attack as the waves of the army come in. In Persian History of Chinggis Khan, the narrator discusses the social class and organization of the army. This arrangement of the army proved to be a tactic because when you strategically place men of an army, where there is always a commander or official near, there is respect for all commandes. it also builds a submissive and obedient nature amongst the army, and with this type of fear you usually have loyalty. The point of view from Juvaini in this document is also important. Juvaini was an outsider of the Mongol empire, who visited to document the conquest that were happening in the empire. Its important that Juvaini noticed this structure of the army because if an outsider can see it, and the effectiveness in this arrangement, its very useful. Document six is another document that shows the usefulness of military tactics/strategies. Rashid al-Din, documents how Ogedei

used strategies to strengthen the framework of peace. He states that Ogedei used his charm to eradicate injustice and develop cities, among other things. This strategy was efficient because when Ogedei does this he strengthen the society that he rules over, thus bringing prosperity to the Mongol Empire. Document seven is another document that highlights the effectiveness of military strategies in the empire. The witness of this document explains the tactic that Chinggis Khan used of capturing all those after a conquest and making them you servants. This tactic works on a more deeper, psychological level. By making their defeated their servants, you take away their power and freedom. You also send a message to all those who are in danger of being conquered, that they surrender before the arrival of Khans army. In Document 11, we see that the Mongol empire uses the tactic of spreading their army through Asia, Eurasia, and even Europe. This tactic helped them conquer the territory because when you have so many conquests happening in the North Eastern Hemisphere, for one empire, you most likely succeed in your conquests. The Mongols succeeded in conquering such a large territory in a short period time with logical tactics and efficient weapons. With the use of fear, structure in the armies, and the weapons used in battle, the Mongols spread their reign throughout Asia, and Eastern Europe in such a short, set period of time.