Final answer:
The Mongols utilized military strategies that emphasized surprise, mobility, and psychological warfare to strike terror and demoralize their foes. Key tactics included feigning retreat, ambushes, nocturnal attacks, and demonstrating grand army illusions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mongols employed several innovative military strategies to extend surprise and craft in warfare. They were notorious for their sneaky tactics and ignoring chivalric norms. One effective strategy was to feign defeat, lure enemies into pursuit, and then ambush them. They demonstrated skill in coordination and discipline, which was vital for complex maneuvers like these. Such strategies were refined during large hunting exercises known as nerge, which simulated the military tactics used in battlefields.
At night, the Mongols would also conduct surprise assaults, creating the illusion of a larger army with strategically placed fires. This psychological warfare was aimed at striking terror into the hearts of enemies, often making them easier to defeat. Their soldiers were capable horsemen and archers, able to quickly change mounts for sustained speed and mobility, a vital component of their warfare strategies.
All these tactics contributed to the widespread success of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan and his successors, with their swift and unexpected attacks regularly demoralizing opponents. This approach allowed the Mongols to conquer vast territories and exert significant influence across their expansive empire.