Having a Pax Mongolica stretching across Eurasia into Europe...
There's only going to be a Pax Mongolica as long as the Hordes are nice to each other and not engaging in endless civil wars and rebellions, as per OTL. The Chaghatai region was basically lawless once again at Khubilai's death.
I've read that this meant there never really was a Pax Mongolica. Kind of negates the better part of why the conquests being so horrible was merely a means to an end.
I would agree. There wasn't an effective Pax Mongolica for very long, but for a a couple of centuries there was a single civilisation with a single understanding of trade, protocol and diplomacy that existed along the old Silk Route. If you knew how to treat with Mongols you could travel and even get business done.
That said, the endless rebellions part is also true.
Sounds like the ability to exploit the situation promoted (unintentionally?) the idea that the Pax Mongolica meant more than it did.
Well it certainly sped up technological diffusion from east to west while also bringing the lovely black plague.
What specifically diffused?
If you notice after the Mongols we start getting Firelances and Hand cannons popping up in Europe and larger cannons popping up in the Middle east. It is reasonable to assume, I think, that the Mongol khanates carried the technology to Europe.
Why would alternate trade routes that are still "the long way" make Europe less likely to wonder if there's a better route by sea?
Oh, they will, eventually. But if Western Europe is under the direct or indirect rule of a Khan, then the initial investment in voyages won't be there. Also, you have to factor in that some alternative trade routes particularly well-developed riverine trade routes through Russia, might be better routes than long naval voyages. In certain circumstances.
Yeah. A lot depends on what happens.Then again, if areas like Britain and/or Iberia remain independent or at least autonomous, then that might increase their interest in finding a sea route. And, as others mentioned, if those routes are chaotic and rebellious they're going to be useless.
I've got a question, whats to stop the europeans from just trying to become tributary states?
The biggest key to all this is Hungary. They were the ones that caught on quickest to what stops Mongols (depopulated frontiers, scorched earth, abundance of forts, rapid response, small unit warfare and good light cavalry of your own)
I think they would not so much as conquered Europa as burnt half of it to the ground.
Out of curiosity, has anyone ever done a timeline on this particular subject? I'd be interested to see how they play it out.