Hatebreed.mp3

 Kublai Khan and Culture

Kublai Khan's greatest gains were through his focus on combining the Mongol political organization with the Chinese administrative practices. He created a stable government that eventually instituted paper money which was backed by gold. He allowed local administrative practices to continue under his rule. He emphasized the need to accept Buddhist practices as well as Confucian teachings. Through these policies he established the importance of protecting Chinese identity. This treatment of his subjects encouraged many Chinese to become advisers in Kublai's government.  Kublai Khan pursued opening trade with the west. These connections brought interactions with Europe and introduced China and Marco Polo. He also hired clock makers and sought input from astronomers.

Resources
McDougal Littel, World History: Patterns of Interaction, 2006, p. 335-338.

http://asianhistory.about.com/od/mongolia/p/Kublai-Khan-Biography-Of-The-Great-Khan.htm

http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/china/kublaikhan.html

http://www.history.com/topics/kublai-khan
Images:
1. Kublai Khan was retrieved  from http://www.answers.com/topic/kublai-khan
2. Kublai Khan and Marco Polo from http://www.goldenagestories.com/news/2011/10/06/the-amazing-wealth-of-kublai-kahn/385
3. Portrait of Kublai Khan from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19850234