CreateDebate is a social debate community built around ideas, discussion and democracy.
If this is your first time checking out a debate, here are some quick tips to help get you started:
Arguments with the highest score are displayed first.
Argument replies (both in favor and in opposition) are displayed below the original argument.
To follow along, you may find it helpful to show and hide the replies displayed below each argument.
To vote for an argument, use these icons:
You have the power to cast exactly one vote (either up or down) for each argument.
Once you vote, the icon will become grayed out and the argument's score will change.
Yes, you can change your vote.
Debate scores, side scores and tag scores are automatically calculated by an algorithm that primarily takes argument scores into account.
All scores are updated in real-time.
To learn more about the CreateDebate scoring system, check out the FAQ.
When you are ready to voice your opinion, use the Add Argument button to create an argument.
If you would like to address an existing argument, use the Support and Dispute link within that argument to create a new reply.
Mongols used advanced military techniques that were never before seen by their enemies, including psychological warfare, which the Mongols mastered. For example, they would send a small force to bait the enemy into their retreat, and when the enemy was far enough behind the front of the battle, the Mongols would swoop in from behind and annihilate their opponent.
Established good governing tactics such as through a centralized government and through establishing advanced infrastructure. ON example of infrastructure is the pony express.
Created best organized army in the world shows civilization working together ex.) quote from Jack Weatherfrord where he says “In a Flash the Mongol army could defeat every army, capture every fort, and bring down the walls of all the cities they conquered ''. also organized army into 1,000, 100,10,000, 10
Genghis Khan- I helped demonstrate a highly organized command structure. To do so, I may have used harsh discipline, but this remained effective, as we continued to progress economically and politically, and reigned one of the most dominant powers int he world. I made my soldiers stay up for long hours, sometimes even sleeping ont heir horses, but at the end of it, we were able to have a great defensive and offensive attack front.
As a Mongolian Horse, I can say that the Mongols were civilized as they had ALL Mongolians learn to horse ride, no matter their gender. While those of "civilized" nations call us uncivilized, the men of their nations lack any respect at all for their women, who are just as important as men are.
The Mongols had a less patriarchal society than most other civilizations. For example, Women were allowed to ride horses, tend animals, initiate divorce, and remarry after being widowed. This was much more than other early civilizations. Although ruthless, this demonstrates how the Mongols practiced many egalitarian moral values.
Marco Polo traveled across China conducting diplomatic missions for Kublai. He had arrived in China as a foreigner but came to be a member of Chinese society under the Mongols.
Created one alphabetic system in which they united their kingdom. They translated the uygher alphabet into the language of the Mongols, and it is still used in Mogolia today.
They gave women more rights. For example, they were able to divorce their husbands, were trusted advisors, and were in charge of all household affairs. They could also become soldiers.
Mongols also allowed for the advancement of women's rights, allowing them to divorce, remarry, fight in the army, own land and property, and participate in other activities that women couldn't do in other nations.
Ortogh let merchants pool their resources to support a single caravan. If a caravan did not make it, no single merchant would be put out of business. This was made to support the merchants because they were very important to the Mongols
Mongols increased the availability of paper money and reduced some of the tariffs imposed on merchants. This made trade much easier for the merchants under their empire and by reducing the tariffs the merchants could make more money (which made a great free trade system).
Genghis Khan- I am a great political leader, and that was reflected in the way the Mongols soon became one of the most dominant civilizations on Earth. I maintained a centralized government within the Mongols, was great at forming alliances (I wed my son to the neighboring Khan's daughter), and I am great at building upon power.
But the ways you dominated civilizations on Earth were often inhumane and killed millions of people. Being the leader, you may be biased towards your civilization. How would you describe the way you and your people built power and your large empire without harsh ways which were clearly uncivilized?
Overall, the difficulties that Hoelun faced throughout her lifetime along with her devotion to her children, both adopted and biological, paved the way for her to be represented as an exemplar for Mongol women and as the primary matriarch of the Chinggisid lineage. Women had more roles in society
They protected merchants by putting their own men along the Silk Road. People felt really safe along the silk road that they could put gold on their back and feel safe.
Marco Polo marveled at China's cultural customs, great wealth, and complex social structure. He was impressed with the empire's paper money, efficient communication system, coal burning, gunpowder, and porcelain, and called Xanadu "the greatest palace that ever was."
Organization of military; Gengis Khan organized the entire Mongol society into military units of 10,000, 1000, 100, 10. Effectively order/control groups
They practiced religious tolerance, treated their soldiers well, promoted based on merit, rather than birth, and established a postal service as well as their contribution to law.
The Mongols were able to expand empire for example usign trade and building roads, bridges and expansign the silk road trade adn eventually connectign the east adn west through trade.
During the Mongols peace period, Pax Mongolia helped support many artistic and cultural changes. The Silk Road was brought back into use and trade flourished.
There are an estimated 16 million descendants of Genghis Khan alive today, meaning that he must have had a growing population in order to have children. Thus, cities would be made or at least occupied by mongols
The Mongols reconnected Europe to Asia via the Silk Road as they helped guarantee the protection of the roads from Bandits and set up way points along the routes for extended travel.
Communication was increased during the reign of the Mongols. The Mongols covered such a vast expanse of land that was heavily protected. For example, they developed a letter system similar to the pony express.
After Genghis Khan died, his empire was split into 4 Khanates, each with a Great Khan under its control. Dividing up land makes it easier for an empire to last
Merchants liked the Mongols because it gave them a higher status. In China, merchants were considered low-class, but under the Mongols, merchants were more valuable because the Mongols were nomadic people. They helped merchants who were in the business of long-distance trade because they could trade further than regular merchants. During their travels, they could rest and secure supplies through a postal-station system that the Mongols had established.
Nasir al-Din al-Tusi believed the Mongols were civilized because he was well respected among the Mongols because he was a scientist and protected by them.
Known for her wisdom, sage advice, and virtuous qualities as the mother of Genghis Khan, she kept peace within her family and supported her son's efforts to conquer and unite the nomadic peoples of the Inner Asian steppes.
As a Military Historian, they were not very different from other brutal conquerors of their time. They treated their soldiers well and were very systematic with their warriors and battle.
Hoelun represented an intelligent, strong female figure and likely influenced Genghis Khan's policies, which allowed royal women to actively participate in the affairs of the empire. Helped give women a larger role in Mongolian society.
Mongol Warrior: the mongol military was very advanced because of the weaponry, the very smart strategies of the military leaders, and the weak opponents that were fought
They were generally expected to drive the large wagons, so essential for these nomadic tribes, on which the family placed all their tents, dwellings, and household goods which showed they had a lot of power in the home Sorghaghtani Beki
But doesn't the Mongols being nomadic mean that they leave the land and don't have a legacy? As they left the land, they didn't leave pieces of art or architecture that other groups would leave for a legacy to be created.
Genghis Khan- As being the "khan" or leader of the Mongols, I have certain ethnic and moral beliefs I wish to see in my people and civilians. Personal loyalty is the biggest moral value I like to see in my people, and I am not very biased when it comes to obtaining power, as I sometimes will elect non-family members into the royal office, if I see fit. I believe in very egalitarian views, which is quite ironic, considering I am also a powerful fighter and warrior.
While Hoelun was known for her role as a mother and caretaker, she was also an outspoken and active participant in family affairs. For example, when the shaman Teb Tenggeri attempted to foment strife and turn Genghis Khan against his brother Qasar, his plan failed because of the intervention of Hoelun.
I, Hulagu Khan, was effective with my battle strategies during my conquest and I was able to conquer cities that refused to surrender, despite my low number of warriors.
And finally, as a Horse, I can say the Mongols were civilized as we had the most mobile and effective armies in the world. Horses are much faster than foot soldiers, and we make our enemies run in fear as our hooves crush and destroy other nation's weak and ineffective armies. Along with that, we used more advanced weaponry, and can easily respond to all of our frontiers, route our enemies, and conquer as much as we did.
Didn't this wear down and kill the horses? Having such intense pressure and performance expectations for these for couldn't be healthy as it was barely physically possible.
Their community was very organized with set rules and expectations for the men to become good fighters. Men trained until they were 20 and then they fought until 60, living most of their lives as soldiers
The Mongolians, while their Empire was large, was very NOT unified. For example, the moment Genghis Khan died, a succession crisis/power vacuum occurred and the Mongol Empire split into 4 Khanates, effectively ending the Empire as it lacked administration and power structure to support its continued existence. A lack of administration helps verify how uncivilized it was.
They engaged in biological warfare by spreading the black plague, which involved catapulting diseased bodies into villages and markets. This was gross and a horrible thing to do to the memory of that person and to the people of the towns.
They used dangerous weapons to hurt foreign territories and gain more power, to be a dominating and supreme global power. For example, they were proficient with the short bow and corrupted captured civilians to give them improved siege weapons, which were highly destructive. A siege weapon they used often was the cannon.
As Ibn al-Athir I would like to support this argument because I am Muslim, and wanted divine protection against the Mongol threat since I believed they were effective invaders and very destructive. I have witnessed the Mongols giving no mercy to people who would resisted their orders
They were effective not dangerous. In order to conquer, blood had to be shed, and those that stood in the way of the Mongols would be beaten. A civilized empire knows strategy and how to conquer, civilized empires also are not weak, and they will not hold back. Civilized Empires had dangerous and more effective weaponry than their counterparts.
As Pope Innocent IV, the Mongols threatened my religion when my negotiations failed to keep them from Christianity. I tried to form an alliance with multiple countries to protect my people, but the negotiations fell through.
The mongols themselves never left a large cultural imprint on history. They never showed evidence of a new language, a new religion, or any lasting civilization (example: Abbasid Caliphate)
As the caliph of Baghdad, the Mongols offered sympathy to those who surrendered, but when about 3,000 of my troops and the rest of the population offered themselves unarmed, they were still slaughtered. In the end they killed somewhere from 800,000 to 1 million of my people
I, Hulagu Khan, destoryed culture in Baghdad when I decimated their city when they refused to surrender. I burned down their libraries and erased their culture off the face of the Earth.
I don't think this approves or disapproves of the argument of whether the Mongols were civilized or uncivilized because there had to be some sort of honorary/respect that the people tried to have for the leader. I think the people that disrespect Genghis Khan are arrogant.
The Persians were continually raided by the Mongols. They were not able to get their population back to were it was before since towns were attacked multiple times.
Burned the city of Baghdad to the ground, which was a large cultural hub and education center, and they didn't even bother to save the important documents and papers.
The warriors of the mongol army were young and illiterate. Literacy and writing is a feature of civilizations, so illiteracy shows they're not civilized
Up to 40 million people were killed across Eurasia during his descendants' conquest. That was 10 percent of the world's population killed, not including the plague.
They used pyscological warfare to strike fear into their victums and show their dominence. For example, leaving skulls and bones at the sight of the their battles.
The Mongols helped spread the plague. For example, they spread it throughout Europe or while they conquered as well as through trade routes through people like merchants or missionaries.
The Mongols used plauged soldiers to siege the city to take over the city if not directly by the soldiers they would spread the plague via themselves eventually killing the whole city.
The Mongols helped spread the Black Death, contributing to the major loss of life and impact it had on civilizations. When the Mongols noticed what was happening, they threw the bodies of the infected over enemy walls.
As Mongols began to expand, they began to spread the bubonic plague, both inadvertently and on purpose, which decimated the European population and destroyed their ways of life.
Marco Polo spent more than two decades in the service of Kublai Khan, one of the greatest rulers in history who reigned over Mongolia for 34 years. Meaning Marco Polo supported his every move; the uncivilized & civilized ones.
Annihilated those who refused to surrender they wanted to feel in power and people scare them and used psychological warfare to terrify their enemies left bones behind.
I woudl like to support this argumetn becuase I am Zhao Bao and I was the brother of the leader of the Song capital who surrendered to Bayan’s Mongols in Hangzhou and was able to escape to south China to help leaders like Yang Liangjie. So the mongols ahd made by father suuredner or else he woudl be punished.
Used savage war tactics such as biological warfare, psychological, and a tactic called surprise and craft. These were ruthless methods, and often hurt many innocent civilians.
If my father the prior Song Dynsaty ruler did not surredner, then my brothers and I would have been killed with him. I agree with this notion becuase they didn't jsut punish you but then punished all those associated with you.
They used physological warfare by leaving reminders behind in the from of dead bodies, skulls, and bones. This is a horrible site and unfair to the dead.
I did not like the Mongols because they had made my dad surrender but luckily I had managed to escape, I also did not like them because they conquered the dynasty as I was trying it (my Song Dynasty was conquered by Kulai Khan) If he did not surrender then we woudl ahve all died
The Mongols desecrated the dead. If they had the plague, the bodies would be used as a biological weapon. Others would be used to fill moats in battles.
Many fights broke about who should be the next khan after Ogodei khan died while the Mongols were waging war in central Europe, which caused the collapse of the empire
If the mongols were conquering land would they keep some cities and some people in inhabit the cities? Othewise it would just be empty, unprotected, Useless land.
HELPED SPREAD THE PLAGUE (Kublai Khan) they helped transmit fleas through the bubonic plague, also termed Back Death, and this killed many individuals.
As Pope Innocent IV, the Mongols were uncivilized. The Mongols threatened Christianity by sitting refusing to be baptized under the faith of Christianity.
I am Muhammad II, sultan of Khwarazm, and I believe that the Mongol empire was uncivilized. They came into my city, killed many of my soldier, and even though my army defeated theirs, they still left my city in shambles.
As Pope Innocent IV, the Mongols were uncivilized because they captured the leader of my crusade to fight against them. I sent the crusade to defend Christianity from the Mongols that threatened it and the Pope's power.
As Ibn al-Athir and a witness to Mongol invasions It was hard for me to write about this event since it was terribly horrific. I would call it the “death-blow of Muslims” due to their harsh and extreme ways of killing innocent lives in inhumane ways so they could conquer.
The aftermath of the battle was terrible. We had very few resources, they destroyed our infrastructure, such as irrigation systems and canals, and our enviroment was terrible. A wall was built around the city in order to repair it in peace.
As I conquered previous Mongol land, I found remnants of burnt towns, skulls of the dead, and decomposing bodies of fallen soldiers who did not deserve the fate and brutality that they were met with while fighting Khan and his soldiers.
When I, Hulagu Khan, destroyed Baghdad and its Muslim culture, Berke Khan, another Great Khan, punished me for my actions by launching a civil war. Mongols killed each other like savages
Hojo Tokimune, Japanese Shogun - Refused the money requested by the Mongols and the Mongols sent multiple invasions into Japan and all of them ending in an upset for the Mongols
They were swift with their conquering and they were in control of more land in 25 years than what the Romans conquered in 400 years. Along the way, they killed 2/3 of the people in China because of rebellion and villages not surrendering.