Who succeeded Genghis Khan as Great Khan of the Mongol Empire?

Ögedei Khan succeeded Genghis Khan as Great Khan of the Mongol Empire. He was Genghis Khan's third son and was chosen after his older brothers Jochi and Chagatai became involved in a dispute over the succession.

Genghis Khan died in 1227, but Ögedei was not formally elected until a kurultai, or grand political assembly, held in 1229. During the intervening period, Ögedei's younger brother Tolui served as regent. The succession reflected Genghis Khan's preference for Ögedei as a compromise candidate who could command support from the wider imperial family.

As Great Khan, Ögedei expanded and organized the empire. His reign saw the final conquest of the Jin dynasty in 1234, further campaigns in Korea and Persia, and the Mongol invasion of Eastern Europe. He also developed taxation and administrative systems and established Karakorum as the imperial capital.

Kublai Khan succeeded much later and founded the Yuan dynasty in China. Tolui was a regent rather than Great Khan, while Jochi died before Genghis Khan and never ruled the united empire.