Final answer:
Genghis Khan came to power by uniting the nomadic tribes of the Mongolian steppes in 1206. This unification set the foundation for the colossal Mongol Empire, which would go on to conduct extensive conquests under his and his descendants' leadership.
Step-by-step explanation:
Genghis Khan, originally named Temüjin, came to power not by conquering China, inheriting an empire, or defeating the Holy Roman Empire, but by uniting nomadic tribes. In 1206, after a difficult early life involving captivity and slavery, he united the feuding clans of the Mongolian steppes. With a consolidated power base, Genghis Khan turned his attention to expansion, conquering neighboring kingdoms and territories. Among his significant conquests were the Tanguts in 1210, the Jurchen in 1214, and Qara Khitai in 1218. This established a precedent for his descendants, who continued the Mongol expansions, including Kublai Khan's forays into China.
The Mongol Empire swiftly became the largest contiguous empire in history, stretching from central Europe to the Pacific Ocean, embracing diverse cultures and facilitating unprecedented levels of trade and communication during the Pax Mongolic a. Despite Genghis Khan's later military conquests, it was the unification of the Mongol tribes that marked his rise to power and the beginning of the Mongol dominion over the vast territories.