Strategy Destruction under the Mongol Empire

genghis khan, , generals , successors, preferred offer enemies chance surrender without resistance in order avoid war, become vassals sending tribute, accepting mongol residents, and/or contributing troops. khans guaranteed protection if populace submitted mongol rule , obedient it.

sources record massive destruction, terror , death if there resistance. david nicole notes in mongol warlords: terror , mass extermination of opposing them well-tested mongol tactic. alternative submission total war: if refused, mongol leaders ordered collective slaughter of populations , destruction of property. such fate of resisting communities during invasions of khwarezmid empire.

invasion of japan against samurai takezaki suenaga using arrows , bombs, circa 1293.


terror

the success of mongol tactics hinged on fear: induce capitulation amongst enemy populations. perspective of modern theories of international relations, quester suggests that, perhaps terrorism produced fear immobilized , incapacitated forces have resisted. although perceived being bloodthirsty, mongol strategy of surrender or die still recognized conquest capitulation more desirable being forced continually expend soldiers, food, , money fight every army , sack every town , city along campaign s route.

the mongols faced states armies , resources greater own. in beginning, temujin started off band of youths , women, had troops of 20,000 facing city states , interests of kin domain, included china, 2-million-strong army, each city being populated hundreds of thousands of inhabitants – , invading out of question. furthermore, supine nation more desirable sacked one. while both provided same territorial gains, former continue provide taxes , conscripts long after conflict ended, whereas latter depopulated , economically worthless once available goods , slaves seized.

thus whenever possible, using promise of wholesale execution resistance, mongol forces made efficient conquests, in turn allowing them attack multiple targets , redirect soldiers , material needed.

drawing of mongols outside vladimir

the reputation of guaranteed wholesale enactment on fought them primary reason why mongols hold vast territories long after main force had moved on. if tumens (tyumens) hundreds or thousands of miles away, conquered people not dare interfere token mongol occupying force, fear of mongol return.

the linchpin of mongol success widespread perception amongst enemies facing insurmountable juggernaut placated surrender. mongols may have counted on reports of horrifying massacres , torture terrify foes. goal convince all-and-sundry costs of surrendering not onerous enough risk un-winnable war, given guarantee of complete annihilation if lost. strategy partially adopted because of mongols lesser numbers; if opponents not sufficiently subdued, there greater chance can rise again , attack mongols when mongols left deal town , settlements. way technically covered rear , flanks, , avoided situation in have again engage people fought , subdued, thereby saving resources, in point of view, unnecessary second engagement.

as mongol conquest spread, form of psychological warfare proved effective @ suppressing resistance mongol rule. there tales of lone mongol soldiers riding surrendered villages , executing peasants @ random test of loyalty. known single act of resistance bring entire mongol army down on town obliterate occupants. ensured obedience through fear. peasants appear have joined troops or readily accepted demands.