Pax Mongolica (Latin for Mongol peace) is a term used to describe the stabilizing effects of the conquests of the Mongol Empire under the reign of Genghis Khan, beginning in the 13th century. This may be surprising, considering his brutal reputation as a cruel and heartless conqueror.
More and more people were incorporated into the Mongolian tribe under his rule due to his many conquests, and this had the effect of diversifying the societal balance within the tribe. By 1206, Genghis Khan's military expansion had unified the tribes of Mongolia, and in the same year he was elected and acclaimed as the leader of Mongolia.
The Mongolian empire stretched from Shanhaiguan in the east to Budapest in the west; from Rus' in the north to Tibet in the south. This united a large part of the continent under one political authority and resulted in safe trade routes for merchants. It also led to an overall growth and expansion of trade from China in the east to Britain in the west.
The code of Mongol law, known as the Yassa, helped suppress tribal feuding and war, thus helping to ensure a peaceful environment for all in the Mongol Empire. The Black Death was largely responsible for the demise of the Mongol Empire.
