Final answer:
The Mongol Empire displayed patterns of both continuity and change. There was continuity in the Mongols' exploitation and protection of conquered lands, which facilitated the exchange of ideas and goods. There was also continuity in their economic interdependence. However, the empire also experienced change through internal conflicts, division, and the decline of its power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mongol Empire experienced both patterns of continuity and change during its existence. One pattern of continuity was the Mongols' exploitation and protection of those they conquered. This allowed for the widespread exchange of ideas, goods, and techniques, as well as the spread of disease. Additionally, the Mongols maintained a strong economic stake in the countries they ruled, owning productive resources and developing an intricate pattern of economic interdependence.
On the other hand, there were patterns of change in the Mongol Empire. The empire began to crack in the mid-thirteenth century and eventually disintegrated by the early fourteenth century. Infighting among Genghis Khan's descendants led to a civil war and the division of the empire into separate realms. Additionally, the Mongol peace-keeping and encouragement of long-distance communications during the empire's early years gave way to struggles for supremacy and conflicts between different factions.
Overall, while the Mongol Empire maintained some patterns of continuity, such as economic interests and a shared commitment to a Mongol identity, it also underwent significant change through internal conflicts, division, and the decline of its power.