The Yuan dynasty (1279 - 1368 AD)

The history:

As early as the Song 宋 dynasty, the Chinese empire was increasingly threatened by the Khitan and the Jurchs. They first occupied the north of the empire, which resulted in the border-shifting of the Song Empire towards the south. Due to this fact the "Southern" Song dynasty (1126-1279) was established. With the occupation of the north, the Khitan founded the Liao 辽 dynasty (916-1125) and the Jurchs founded the Jin 金 dynasty (1125-1234).

In the 13th century, Genghis Khan won supremacy over the Mongol Empire in 1206. In addition to conquering Central, Western Asia and Europe, the Mongols also succeeded in conquering the Jin Empire.

The foundation of the Yuan dynasty:

In 1279 a descendant of Genghis Khan, Kubilai Khan, succeeded in defeating the "Southern" Song dynasty. He then founded the Yuan dynasty, which reunited the empire.

Society:

The society of the Yuan Empire was characterized by its division of the society. This system divided the population into Mongols, semuren (mainly Central Asians) and Chinese people. The Chinese rank was also divided into that population of the north and the population of the "Southern" Song dynasty. The semuren assumed important functions in the administration of the empire. Because of their low social status, many Chinese scholars devoted themselves to literature, painting, and writing dramas.

The Fall of the Yuan dynasty:

Various factors meant that the Yuan dynasty only lasted till the year 1368 AD. The reasons for the fall of the Yuan dynasty include deficits in administration, the oppression of the Chinese population, corruption and mismanagement, war and epidemics. The latter led to a population decimation. In addition, there were famines and riots in society due to later floods.