Final answer:
The Mongols were able to extend their empire through their superior military skills and conquests, connecting parts of the world that had not been connected before and increasing trade and cultural exchange during the Pax Mongolica.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mongols were able to extend their empire due to their excellent horsemen and ruthless warriors. Their armies consisted mainly of cavalry, who were fast, highly disciplined, and well-organized. With their superior military skills, the Mongols quickly overran sparsely populated and unprotected lands, conducting sieges and capturing cities. Their conquests connected parts of the world that had never been connected before, leading to increased trade and cultural exchange during the Pax Mongolica.
The Mongols' ability to extend their empire was due to their skilled horsemen, disciplined cavalry, and mastery in siege warfare, coupled with improvements in infrastructure like roads and bridges that promoted trade and communication.
The Mongols were able to extend their empire primarily due to their military prowess, exceptional horsemanship, and the creation of a large, efficient army consisting only of cavalry. Their soldiers were quick, disciplined, well-organized, and capable of wielding bows and lances on horseback. Furthermore, they became adept at siege warfare, which enabled them to capture cities and expand their empire rapidly. They also built a system of roads and bridges, known as the örtöö, to facilitate the movement and communication across their large empire, significantly improving the safety and efficiency of travel and trade during the Pax Mongolica.
Technologically, the Mongols made few advances, but their skill in warfare was unparalleled. They employed Chinese engineers to construct siege engines and advanced the techniques of siege warfare. Despite their lack of technological contributions in other areas, the Mongols' conquests resulted in the unification of vast territories, which encouraged unprecedented levels of cultural exchange and economic growth, laying the groundwork for the flourishing Silk Road trade.