Final answer:
The Mongols' success in conquest was attributed to their highly organized and swift cavalry, superior siege tactics, psychological warfare, and exceptional horsemanship and archery skills. Their empire thrived due to effective administration, promoting trade and communication across their territories during the Pax Mongolica.
Step-by-step explanation:
The observations by the Persian historian Wassaf and other historical records suggest that the Mongols were highly successful conquerors due to several factors. Their military might lay not only in the extraordinary organization, discipline, and martial prowess of their cavalry but also in their adaptability and strategic acumen. Their armies, made entirely of cavalry and consisting of all men up to age seventy, were swift, allowing them to cover vast distances quickly and perform tactical maneuvers that overwhelmed their enemies.
Another significant aspect of the Mongol conquest was their ability to conduct siege warfare effectively, often targeting sparsely populated and unprotected lands. The Mongols also engaged in psychological warfare by demonstrating their ferocity and relentlessness, which would sap the morale and will to fight of their adversaries. Moreover, their penchant for horsemanship and archery, cultivated over generations on the Asian steppes, was translated into military tactics that gave them an edge in battlefields across Asia and into Europe.
Finally, the Mongols were able to administer their extensive empire successfully, connecting various parts of the world through the promotion of trade and communication during the Pax Mongolica. Their ability to merge the cultures and practices of conquered peoples also played a role in stabilizing their control over captured territories. These combinations of military prowess, strategic insight, and effective governance underpin why the Mongols were such formidable conquerors.