Learning Exercise
Marco Polo and China Under the Mongols
A sophisticated web site on the history and impact of the Mongols. Separate pages deal with such topics as the nature of nomadic life, key figures, the Mongol conquests, and the impact of the Mongols on China and the World. An image gallery and set of historical maps as well as other materials and readings add to the value of the site. That one of the leading experts on the Mongols, Morris Rosabe, was a consultant gives the site much creditability.
Course: World Civilization
- Material:
- The Mongols in World History
- Date last modified:
- March 18, 2003
- Created by:
- William Paquette
- License:
-
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A sophisticated web site on the history and impact of the Mongols. Separate pages deal with such topics as the nature of... see more
Exercise
Venetian traveler Marco Polo (1254-1324) traveled to Asia and spent considerable time in a China ruled by the Mongols. This exercise is designed to provide a more in-depth understanding about Polo's travels and the China he knew. Current scholarship questions whether or not Polo actually made the trip. This issue will be examined.
The site has considerable information about the Mongols and their rule of China and much of Asia. This exercise will ONLY use the site links associated with Marco Polo: KEY FIGURES: Marco Polo (sections on the assessment of Polo's writings and whether or not Polo went to China); CLASS MATERIALS: Marco Polo in China, 1271-1295; RELATED LINKS: Marco Polo and His Travels; READINGS: Marco Polo: The Glories of Kinsay (Chapters 8-11, 22-24, 26, 46) and In the Footsteps of Marco Polo.
Write a 5-7 page paper answering the following questions.
1. Describe the route that Marco Polo, his father, and uncle travled to China.
2. Why did the Polos go to China?
3. Describe in detail the China discovered by Marco Polo.
4. Describe the court of Khubailau Khan at the time of the Polos' visit.
5. Did Marco Polo really travel to China?
6. What was the impact of the Polo trip on Italy and Europe?
The site has considerable information about the Mongols and their rule of China and much of Asia. This exercise will ONLY use the site links associated with Marco Polo: KEY FIGURES: Marco Polo (sections on the assessment of Polo's writings and whether or not Polo went to China); CLASS MATERIALS: Marco Polo in China, 1271-1295; RELATED LINKS: Marco Polo and His Travels; READINGS: Marco Polo: The Glories of Kinsay (Chapters 8-11, 22-24, 26, 46) and In the Footsteps of Marco Polo.
Write a 5-7 page paper answering the following questions.
1. Describe the route that Marco Polo, his father, and uncle travled to China.
2. Why did the Polos go to China?
3. Describe in detail the China discovered by Marco Polo.
4. Describe the court of Khubailau Khan at the time of the Polos' visit.
5. Did Marco Polo really travel to China?
6. What was the impact of the Polo trip on Italy and Europe?
Disciplines
- Humanities / History / Area Studies / Asia
- Humanities / History / Area Studies / Asia / Central Asia
Technical Notes
Requirements
Topics
Type of Task
Learning Objectives
To acquaint students with the travels of Italian Marco Polo and how China influenced him and ultimately Italy.