Final answer:
The Mongols were composed of tribes, which were basic societal units made up of clans. These tribes were nomadic herders and hunters who occasionally engaged in raiding and lived north of what is now China.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mongols were made up of tribes, or groups, that lived north of what is China today. These tribes were largely nomadic and engaged in herding and occasional raiding. The basic unit of their society was the clan, which was a small group of several families that shared an encampment and worked together in herding or hunting. Over time, conflicts over resources like pastures and water often led to feuds among these tribes, contributing to a fractious and competitive environment.
Significantly, the Mongols later became known for their powerful empire under the leadership of Genghis Khan. They depended economically on herds of animals such as sheep, goats, horses, and cattle and were also adept in military strategy, which set them on a path of conquest and looting beyond their native grasslands. The structure of Mongol society, with clans and tribes forming the fundamental units, was crucial in their rise to power.