Ascendancy to Supreme Khan
He was elected supreme khan in 1229, according to the
kurultai held after Genghis' death, although this was never really in doubt as it was Genghis' clear wish that he be succeeded by Ögedei. His charisma is partially credited for his success in keeping the Empire on the his father's path. Thanks mostly to the organization left behind by Genghis Khan, and the personal charisma of Ögedei, the affairs of the Mongol Empire remained for the most part stable during his reign. To this it must again be added that Ögedei was an extremely pragmatic man, and knew his limitations. He had no delusions that he was his father's equal as a military commander or organizer, and used the abilities of those he found most capable.
During his reign, the Mongols completed the destruction of the
Jurchen Jin empire (in 1234), coming into contact and conflict with the
Southern Song. In 1235, under the khan's direct generalship, the Mongols began a war of conquest that would not end for forty-five years, and would result in the complete annexation of all of China. Mongol armies
vassalized Korea, established permanent control of
Persia proper (commanded by
Chormagan) and, most notably, expanded westward under the command of
Batu Khan to subdue the Russian steppe. Their western conquests included almost all of
Russia (save
Novgorod, which became a vassal),
Hungary, and
Poland. Ögedei's sons
Kadan and
Güyük attacked Poland and
Transylvania, respectively.
Ögedei Khan had granted permission to invade the remainder of Europe, all the way to the "Great Sea," the Atlantic Ocean, and only his death prevented the probable overwhelming of Austria, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain, and the remaining small European principalities. Indeed, Mongol forces were moving on
Vienna, launching a fierce winter campaign against Austria and Germany in the first wave into Western Europe, when Ögedei died. Most historians believe only his death prevented the complete conquest of Europe. Certainly the ease with which the Mongols had destroyed the Poles at the
Battle of Legnica, and two days later, destroyed the Hungarian army at the
Battle of Mohi, did not bode well for the remainder of the European powers.
The Mongol expansion throughout the Asian continent under the leadership of Ögedei helped bring political stability and re-establish the
Silk Road, the primary trading route between East and West.
