The Trial of Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan founded the Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous land empire in world history. However, to this the Mongols and their legacy continue to inspire controversy.

Were Genghis Khan and the members of the Mongol ruling family civilized promoters of culture and trade, connecting East to West? Or were they bloodthirsty marauders, destroyers of cities, and slayers of the innocent?

Now, you will decide this issue as Genghis Khan goes on trial before "The Court of History!"

Temujin, more commonly known as Genghis Khan was the brutal leader of the Mongol Empire. He led the Mongols to conquer most of the known world, and according to many, he left only destruction in his path. According to Ibn Battuta, the Mongols destroyed everything they came through, whether it was a great monument, a flourishing city, or an entire culture.

After the death of Genghis Khan in 1227, his empire was ruled by his son Ogedei. When Ogedei died, the Mongol empire split into four sections: the Yuan dynasty under Kublai Khan, the Golden Horde under Batu, the Chagatai Khanate under Chagatai, and the Il-Khanate of Persia under Hulegu.

Genghis Khan and his descendants have been indicted as guilty of crimes against humanity and as uncivilized conquerors and rulers in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Crimes Against Humanity

• In order to prove crimes against humanity, a prosecution must establish:
• (1) particularly odious offenses in that they constitute a serious attack on human dignity or grave humiliation or a degradation of human beings.

Excessive Brutality

• In order to prove excessive brutality, a prosecution must establish:
• (1) an unnecessary amount of violence and savagery in comparison to previous and future empires.

Barbaric Warfare

• In order to prove barbaric warfare, a prosecution must establish:
• (1) setting the bar for inhuman warfare for future dominations.
  

Prosecution attorneys (2): P

• "Team captains" of the prosecution. Will try to convince jurors that the evidence supports the indictment. Will study the evidence and organize the case.
• Prepare opening or closing statement for your side.
• Assist team with preparation of three questions for each witness you intend to call.
• Assist team with preparation of three cross-examination questions for each opposition witness.
  

Defense attorneys (2): D

• "Team captains" of the defense. Will try to convince jurors that the evidence does not support the indictment. Will study the evidence and organize the case.

• Prepare opening or closing statement for your side.
• Assist team with preparation of three questions for each witness you intend to call.
• Assist team with preparation of three cross-examination questions for each opposition witness.

On the day of the trial, both teams must give typed copies of their direct examination questions along with their opening and closing statements to the judge (your teacher). After the trial, both teams must turn in their cross-examination questions and any notes they took during the proceedings.

The next class after the trial, all attorneys much turn a typed Reflection Essay - see below for instructions.

Genghis Khan: D

• Will testify at the trial. Will research and complete the Defendant Role Biography (due the day of the trial).
  
• Will compile a daily trial journal of the proceedings (you will be given a handout the day of the trial) and write a reflection essay (due the day after the trial).

• Paralegals assist attorneys with research & interviewing witnesses
• Investigators assist attorneys with research & finding primary source with witnesses that can be presented during the trial
• On the day of the trial, paralegals and investigators will turn in their research and any interviews done with witnesses.
• The next class after the trial, will turn in a reflection essay.
  

• Will testify at the trial.
• Will prepare Witness Role Biography and find a primary source to act as evidence in the trial, which is due the day of the trial. Copies of your biography need to be given to your attorneys and to the opposition's attorneys. Copies of your primary source need to be given to your attorney. Your biography should clearly identify your character's background, your connection to the Mongols and how you would view the Mongols. This information contains potential testimony you plan to deliver at the trial. You must include negative aspects about your biography too!
• Will compile a daily trial journal of the proceedings and a written reflection (due the day after the trial).

Witnesses marked with a "P" will work with the prosecution. Witnesses marked with a "D" will work with the defense.

1. Balkh shopkeeper: P
2. Historian Ibn al-Athir: P
3. Pope Innocent IV: P
4. Qutuz, Mamluk sultan of Egypt: P
5. Mstislav III of Kiev: P
6. Mustasim, caliph of Baghdad: P
7. Chinese Confucian scholar: P
8. Chinese soldier: P
9. Muhammad II, sultan of Khwarezm: P
10. Japanese Daimyo: P
    
11. Mongol warrior: D
12. Sorghaghtani Beki: D
13. Khutulun: D
    
14. Kublai Khan: D
15. Ogedei Khan: D
    
16. Historian Juvaini: D
17. Historian Rashid al-Din: D
18. Marco Polo: D
19. Silk Road merchant: D
20. Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, Persian philosopher/scientist/mathematician: D
21. Ivan I (Kalita), Grand Duke of Moscow: D

Due on the next class day after the verdict is delivered, the reflection essay must be no fewer than 2 full pages long (MLA format, typed, 12 pt font, and double-spaced). Handwritten essays will not be accepted.

1. The first half of the essay will address these questions: Which one of your witnesses presented the most convincing evidence supporting your side of the case? Discuss specific reasons for your opinion. Which one of the opposing witnesses present the most convincing evidence supporting the other side of the case? Discuss the specific reasons for your opinion.
2. The second half of the essay will address these questions: Which aspects of the simulation were the most helpful to you? Discuss specific reasons for your opinion. Which aspects of the simulation could be improved or changed? Discuss specific reasons for you opinion.
   

Due on the next class day after the verdict is delivered, the reflection essay must be no fewer than 2 full pages long (MLA format, typed, 12 pt font, and double-spaced). Handwritten essays will not be accepted.

1. The first half of the essay will address this question: Which two witnesses on the opposing side of the case presented the most convincing evidence? Discuss specific reasons for your opinion.
2. The second half of the essay will address this question: In your own opinion (as a twenty-first century student), were Genghis Khan and his descendants uncivilized conquerors and rulers in the 13th and 14th centuries? Discuss the specific reasons for your opinion.

Ways of the World (textbook): Ch. 12

ABC-CLIO

Mongols in World History - Asia for Educators

Crash Course World History: Wait for It ... The Mongols!

The trial will last no more than 75 minutes.

• The judge reads the indictment
  
• The defendant enters his plea
• Prosecution Opening Statement - 2-3 minutes
• Defense Opening Statement - 2-3 minutes
  
• Direct examination: Prosecution calls witnesses, including Genghis Khan (Max. 25 minutes)
  
• Defense cross-examines a minimum of three (3) witnesses to a maximum of five (5) witnesses (Max. 5 minutes)
• Follow-up questions allowed by prosecution if they have not exceeded their time limit
• Direct examination: Defense calls witnesses (Max. 25 minutes)
• Prosecution cross-examines a minimum of three (3) witnesses to a maximum of five (5) witnesses (Max. 5 minutes)
  
• Follow-up questions allowed by defense if they have not exceeded their time limit
• Closing statements by prosecution and defense attorneys (each side: 1-2 minutes)
• Jury deliberation and verdict
  

Attorneys

• Work closely with your partner and divide the workload fairly.
• Remember that you are "team captains." Work with all witnesses on your team to make sure that communication is clear and that the testimony is coordinated.
• Work with witnesses in preparing questions. Remember that there are limits on how many questions may be asked during direct examination and cross-examination. These limits will be enforced by the judge.
• Opening/closing statements should be clear and concise.
• One the day of the trial, give the judge one copy of your direct examination questions.

Paralegals & Investigators

• Work closely with your attorneys. Help them with research and questioning witnesses.

Witnesses

• Work closely with your attorneys and their assistants. Be available for necessary conferences with teammates prior to the trial.
• When on the witness stand, make sure you are audible. Answer questions accurately and directly. Maintain eye contact with the attorneys and jury.

After being divided into prosecution and defense, your group needs to choose who will take on what roles. A list of the roles must be turned in to your teacher by the end of the class period.

After choosing your roles, begin researching your person/topic. Make sure you take notes over what you read and keep track of what sources you use. You will need this for your later responses.

Continue researching your person/topic. Make sure you are still taking notes over what you read and keep track of what resources you use.

Witnesses should be talking with attorneys and preparing for the questioning portion of the trial. Make sure you check the grading rubrics to make certain that you completed all parts of the assignment.

Jurors should be finalizing their initial essay and preparing to turn it in on trial day.

The Trial of Genghis Khan counts as a major grade. The grade will be divided based on the following criteria:

• Performance of your role in the trial (30 points)
  
• The quality of your examination questions/witness sheet biography/witness predictions/written verdict (25 points)
  
• The quality of the daily written journal (10 points)
  
• The quality of the reflection essay (35 points)
• Point values may change with certain roles