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Mongolia's historical significance is in the 12th century conquests of Genghis Khan (meaning "great khan" or great ruler), whose armies swept across what is now Russia and much of eastern Europe, stopping at Vienna, killing large numbers in their path.  Genghis Khan's cruelty can be seen in his method of conquest: cities and populations that immediately submitted to his rule were spared, and allowed to live freely, paying tribute, while those who fought back against the Mongol armies were ruthlessly slaughtered.  Arguably, Mongolia was that era's world power, and was feared by most of Europe.   

Mongolia's historical significance is in the 12th century conquests of Genghis Khan (meaning "great khan" or great ruler), whose armies swept across what is now Russia and much of eastern Europe, stopping at Vienna, killing large numbers in their path.  Genghis Khan's cruelty can be seen in his method of conquest: cities and populations that immediately submitted to his rule were spared, and allowed to live freely, paying tribute, while those who fought back against the Mongol armies were ruthlessly slaughtered.  Arguably, Mongolia was that era's world power, and was feared by most of Europe.   

What led to Mongolia's eclipse from the world stage was, ironically, a question of succession.  Genghis Khan died unexpectedly, and his generals were summoned back to the (then) capital Kharkhorum (now a ghost town in Mongolia) to choose a new "khan," meaning king.

What led to Mongolia's eclipse from the world stage was, ironically, a question of succession.  Genghis Khan died unexpectedly, and his generals were summoned back to the (then) capital Kharkhorum (now a ghost town in Mongolia) to choose a new "khan," meaning king.  For reasons not entirely clear, the Mongols never re-gained their dominant power, and Mongolia entered a centuries-long period of decline, becoming what was essentially a backwater dominated by Siberian nomadic rulers and Chinese dynastic officials. 

 

In 1911, a native Mongolian uprising occurred, successfully overthrowing Chinese domination, and attempting to create a free Mongolian state.  The naiscent Mongolian state was in turn overthrown by the world's second (after Russia) communist revolution in 1921, led by Sukhe Bator (1894-1923).  The 1921 revolution installed a communist government which ruled from 1921 until the communist government was overthrown in 1990.