Mongol Empire Khaganate Succession Crisis

Timeline

1. 1241–1246Karakorum · Mongolian PlateauAfter Khagan Ögedei died in 1241, his wife Töregene held power as regent for nearly five years, delaying the kurultai to elect a new khagan, provoking the princes' discontent and planting factional rifts.
2. 1246–1248Qwülün · Mongolian PlateauIn 1246 Güyük was elected great khagan at a kurultai, but princes such as Batu refused to attend or raised objections. The conflict between Güyük and Batu became public, and the central imperial authority and centrifugal trends among the khanates intensified.
3. 1248–1251Throughout the Mongol Empire · EurasiaAfter Güyük died of illness in 1248, Oghul Qaimish again served as regent, and the princes each maintained their own forces. With Batu's support the Tolui line put forward Möngke, while Ögedeid princes resisted, bringing the succession crisis to its peak.