Part Three, the Global Awakening, 1262-1962, Chapter 8, Khubilai Khan and the New Mongol Empire Summary and Analysis

Khubilai Khan did not have the military prowess of his father, but he had a political talent his father lacked. He was able to unify China, something no one had been able to do from within China for hundreds of years. In Khubilai's day, most of China was fragmented. Khubilai unified them by convincing them that he was more Chinese than the Sung and by slowly bringing them under his rule. Khubilai took on China dress, took Chinese names, built Chinese buildings, performed Chinese ceremonies and did everything else he could to promote his image as being Chinese. He also built a large and beautiful palace and a city, known as the Forbidden City.

Khubilai...