Final answer:
Genghis Khan united and built the Mongol Empire primarily through military conquest, supported by his legal code, structured military, and the sharing of spoils. His leadership resulted in the largest contiguous empire in history, with lasting impacts on trade and global connectivity. The correct option is B.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Genghis Khan United the Mongols and Built an Empire
Genghis Khan united the Mongols and built an empire primarily By military conquest. While diplomacy and economic alliances played roles, and there was some religious unification with freedom of religious practices, it was Genghis Khan's military brilliance and organization that were decisive. His ability to gather Mongol clans, which began as disparate feuding groups, and build them into a capable war machine paved the way for his military conquests.
His leadership included instituting a legal code, the yassa, and creating a structured military that excelled in rapid cavalry attacks, siege warfare, and immense discipline. This military superiority allowed the Mongols to capture and loot cities, distributing wealth and riches to cement loyalty among the Mongol warriors. Consequently, this led to the creation of the largest contiguous empire in world history, stretching from Europe to Asia and bringing economic prosperity through the promotion of trade during the Pax Mongolica.
The Mongol Empire also faced challenges, such as maintaining control over vast distances. During Kublai Khan's rule, despite some initial successes in China, the empire began to fragment into separate khanates. Yet, under Genghis Khan's and his successors' leadership, the Mongols forever changed the landscape of Eurasia, not just by their military conquests but also by connecting the world in unprecedented ways through trade and communication.