Charlotte's teaching tool for L13 - Mongols

1. Genghis Khan Ballad
By Charlotte Kaufmann

2. I am Genghis Khan, a brutal warrior and leader to be feared
But when you hear my accomplishments they will be cheered
I united the Mongols, and conquered vast amounts of land
A writing system, a law code, and religious tolerance were established under my hand
*Note- After conquering the other Mongol tribes, he united
them; they had been un-unified for quite some time. Although
his armies killed whole populations, he did establish religious
tolerance and the beginning of the Pax Mongolica (which
established peace throughout the land).

3. I was born Temujin, meaning “finest steel”
My father was tribe chief, and hunting and riding horses were my skill
All was fine and dandy until my father was murdered
By his own tribesmen; “I will get revenge,” I murmured

4. I massacred the Tartars and executed the army’s heads
I began to conquer the other Mongol tribes, rousing them from their beds
I united them; so unexpected as if I had thrown a curve ball
I then was called Genghis Khan, meaning “ruler of all”
*Note- By “heads” I am referring to the
leaders of the enemy armies not their
actual heads

5. I am Genghis Khan, a brutal warrior and leader to be feared
But when you hear my accomplishments they will be cheered
I united the Mongols, and conquered vast amounts of land
A writing system, a law code, and religious tolerance were established under my hand

6. My army was organized into “gurans”, or groups of one hundred
Our good communication, battle tactics, and horses allowed us to paint the land blood-red
I was cruel to the enemy
But loyal to my followers; soldiers were not promoted based on pedigree
*Note- Genghis Khan promoted his soldiers by
their outstanding performances in battle
rather than their social status or background.
The Mongol armies also had effective ways of
communication such as smoke signals, flags,
and drums.

7. *Note- Genghis Khan wished to establish trade negotiations with Persia. However the Persian
leader was suspicious and arrested the people in the caravan who had come to establish trade ties.
Genghis Khan then sent ambassadors to free the members of the caravan but the Persian leader
had them executed. Genghis Khan then attacked the Khwarezmian Dynasty.
I conquered the Xi Xia people and China’s Jin Dynasty
The Persian Empire rejected my offer for trade so I seized them violently
I perished in 1227, most likely from a fall off of my horse
No one was allowed to know where I was buried of course

8. Because my burial place was meant to be secret, I told my soldiers to do as I say
They were to murder everyone on the way
Then they killed each other
The funeral guests were also killed so as not to blow my cover
*Note- Genghis Khan didn’t want
anyone to know where he was buried so
about 200 soldiers killed everyone on
the path to the funeral. The funeral
guests were then all murdered, and
finally the soldiers killed themselves
and each other.

9. I am Genghis Khan, a brutal warrior and leader to be feared
But when you hear my accomplishments they will be cheered
I united the Mongols, and conquered vast amounts of land
A writing system, a law code, and religious tolerance were established under my
hand

10. I am Genghis Khan, a brutal warrior and leader to be feared
But when you hear my accomplishments they will be cheered
I united the Mongols, and conquered vast amounts of land
A writing system, a law code, and religious tolerance were established under my
hand