Would the Mongols have conquered Europe if their Great Khan had not died? Mongols would have successfully conquered Europe if their Great Khan, Mongke Khan, hadn’t died in 1259 is speculative and complex. The Mongol Empire, under leaders like Genghis Khan and his descendants, had already achieved significant conquests in Asia and the Middle East by the time of Mongke Khan’s death. The Mongol invasion of Europe, however, faced several challenges and ultimately did not result in a full-scale conquest.

Several factors played a role in the Mongols not conquering Europe:

Logistics and Resources:

The vast distances and logistical challenges of launching a large-scale invasion of Europe were significant. The Mongols were expert horsemen and conquerors on the open steppes, but the terrain and infrastructure of Europe posed challenges for their traditional tactics.

Unity of European States:

Unlike many areas in Asia and the Middle East, Europe was not a unified entity. The Mongols faced a patchwork of kingdoms and principalities with varying levels of cooperation and resistance. European powers could potentially unite against a common threat, as happened in some instances during the Mongol invasions.

Adaptation to Siege Warfare:

The Mongols excelled at open-field warfare and swift maneuvers, but they faced difficulties when confronted with well-fortified European cities. The Mongol military was not as adept at siege warfare, and European cities were often well-defended.

Internal Conflicts within the Mongol Empire:

After Mongke Khan’s death, there were power struggles and conflicts within the Mongol leadership, leading to a diversion of attention and resources. The empire was divided among different Mongol khans, leading to a focus on consolidating power within the empire rather than pursuing further conquests in Europe.

While the death of Mongke Khan might have influenced the course of history, it’s essential to recognize that numerous factors contributed to the outcome of the Mongol invasions in Europe. The speculative nature of “what if” scenarios makes it challenging to predict the exact consequences of Mongke Khan’s potential continued leadership on European history.