Final answer:
The Mongols, led by Kublai Khan, conquered China and established the Yuan Dynasty, which lasted from 1271 to 1368. This period marked the first foreign control of the Chinese Empire and led to significant cultural exchanges, especially along the revitalized Silk Road.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Conquerors of China and the Founders of the Yuan Dynasty
The blank in the question should be filled with the 'Mongols'. It was Kublai Khan, the Mongol ruler, who occupied China in 1271 and founded the Yuan Dynasty, which lasted until 1368. Their rule was significant as it marked the first time that the Chinese Empire was controlled by foreigners.
Despite never fully conquering all of China, Kublai Khan's rule opened China to a greater exchange of cultures, including Islamic. The Silk Road flourished under Yuan rule, facilitating the exchange of goods and cultures between East and West. After a period of weakening control and internal strife, the Mongols were overthrown by the Ming Dynasty, led by Zhu Yuanzhang, who claimed the Mandate of Heaven in 1368.