History vs. Genghis Khan - Alex Gendler

He was one of the most fearsome warlords who ever lived, waging an unstoppable conquest across the Eurasian continent. But was Genghis Khan a vicious barbarian or a unifier who paved the way for the modern world? Alex Gendler puts this controversial figure on trial in History vs Genghis Khan.

Lesson by Alex Gendler, animation by Brett Underhill.

[galaxywavemoreno]

I love how the Judge is learning while they both argue or debate.

[josephaugustine]

British empire was responsible for almost 29 million deaths in India alone during 19 th century. But unfortunately history is always written by winners

[Egonsraad]

"He killed 40 Million people."

"Ye but the postal system."

[Redrum]

My family and I use to laugh about the line, "Almost anyone could be related to him. Until my dad took a DNA test for fun and found out we are descendants through him. We are Puerto Ricans and it was the last thing we expected. 😂😂😂😂

[Kendrahf]

I've always found Genghis to be a very interesting historical character and yet he's hardly ever mentioned. We get a ton of Alexander the Great related stuff but almost none of the Khan when, realistically, Genghis actually conquered twice as much land as Alexander the Great. And he's the father of all boot strap/self-made man ideals too.

He was born to a minor chief and the second (stolen) wife in a small tribe. He went off to his betrothed's tribe as was the custom but then his father died and he was sent home. Where upon he and his mother, as well as the first wife and all the children, were abandoned for fear of starvation, his father's enemies, and not wanting to be led by young boys. 

After several years of living in Mongolia with just his mothers and siblings, he was captured and turned into a slave. He escaped and convinced the family of his betrothed to let the two of them marry. They did and she became a kidnapped bride herself. He hunted them down and actually rescued her (this would result in the birth of a son that they weren't sure was the Khan's.)

Afterward? He went on to unite the tribes and conquer the world, because why stop there, right?

How is this not the most epic 'self-made man' tale out there?

[PsychoticSpartan]

Genghis Khan was doing what pretty much every other warlord had done until modern times. Except he did it better (or worse depending on perspective).

[harshshukla]

I want them to make
History vs British Empire
They killed all over the globe
They did caused about a 100 million casualities
Especially in India
The history is always undermined.

[Turnc]

When you are so successful that you get canceled 793 years later on twitter.

[dandeliondandylion]

"And what's so great about invasion and slaughter"
Almost every country ever: *sweatdrops*

[Oujouj]

Why can't he be both, conqueror and unifier? Weren't Rome's leaders conquerors and unifiers? We remember their legacies neutrally or even kindly, so why not the Mongol's?

[alboshajdari]

Do "History vs. Hitler"
I double dare you TED-Ed

[tselmegerdemsaikhan]

I love this video, as a Mongolian myself. The way they pronounced the name was very good undoubtedly one of the best pronouncing I’ve ever heard in foreign youtube videos

[giordanokruger]

The tendency to glorify expansionist european empires as cradles of civilization (Rome, Machedonia, The franks, etc) while dismissing Ghenghis Khan as "Barbaric" is a pretty colossal historical bias.

[dakotawilliams]

If you're invading West to East you're a great leader, if you're invading East to West you're a barbarian. Genghis Khan legacy shows he's a great leader.

[annikachristensen]

"He killed 40 million people..."
Thor: He's adopted...

[holytiramisu]

Can't blame him for being brutal. Imagine growing up with everyone plotting against you, your father killed by hostile tribes, growing up in barren land. Now imagine that you're trying to be nice, then your arch-enemy convinced your allies that you're a threat and then they turned against you, having missionary and embassador murdered, he won't survive without being harsh.

[WAcrobat]

I read a little biography. And it stated that if one of his troops had a family, and if he died, Genghis or his troops would give the loot to the family.

[Ruefintheshark]

I learned about Genghis Khan this year in my history class and I personally think that he can’t be considered fully good or bad. Despite the fact that his campaigns were brutal and merciless, he did do all of the positive things mentioned in the video as well. And one of his brutal acts was deserved because this man had killed his men and taken the stuff they tried to trade with them or something like that, well they came back and poured molten silver into the man’s head. I don’t remember all of the specific details of that off of the top of my head, but I think it was justified. I also think his attacking of the chin dynasty was justified, but was still very brutal. Overall, he did a lot of good but he was pretty brutal in how he achieved it.

[fawwadhussain]

He was born during the time of war. His tribe was constantly at war with other mongol tribes and with China (south east) and Khawarzami empire (south west). He only saw blood and destruction in his childhood. He was disavowed from his own tribe at age of 12 (same year he conquered his tribe back). He united mongol tribes(who were at war for more than 100 years) a task which was thought impossible at that time. He actually avoided bloodshed but couldn't stand disloyalty(which would have triggered another war among mongols). He saw destruction an effective tool to control not only his own people but others too. We should not forget the unforgiving times he lived in. He wasnt the only barbarian but he had power and he had most ruthless people from the sands of Gobi behind him so yes history only remembers him

[CopyMirror]

Everyones calling him a Monster and I'm just sitting here like " it was the 13th Century"