The death of a single man in the city of Karakorum in the year 1241, arguably dramatically affected Western Europe. Who was the man and why did his death affect Europe?

author

Ögedei Khan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96gedei_Khan Ögedei's death in 1241 brought the Mongol invasion of Europe to a premature end. The commanders heard the news as they were advancing on Vienna, and withdrew for the Ikh kurultai in Mongolia, never again to return so far west. [Text added -- Zb] Aug 19 08, 12:22 PM

triviapaul

In the battles of Legnica, Poland (Apr 9, 1241) and Mohi, Hungary (Apr 11, 1241), the Mongols annihilated the armies sent to stop them. They could have invaded Western Europe unopposed, like the Huns in the 5th and the Magyars in the 10th century. The leader of the invasion, Batu Khan, was a nephew of great khan Ögedei. After Ögedei died, Batu Khan returned to Karakorum to claim the title of great khan. In short, the death of Ögedei saved many thousands of European lives. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Legnica http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mohi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongol_invasion_of_Europe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batu_Khan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatar_invasions Aug 19 08, 1:50 PM