King Myeongjong of Goryeo vs Mengli I Giray

After deposing King Uijong, the military leaders installed King Myeongjong, a younger brother, as the new monarch. Myeongjong had no real power; all decisions were made by the military regime, first under Jeong Jung-bu and later under Gyeong Dae-seung.

During Myeongjong's reign, numerous peasant uprisings broke out across Goryeo due to heavy taxation and oppression. The military regime brutally suppressed these revolts, including the major rebellion led by Mang-i and Mang-so-i in 1176.

King Myeongjong's reign saw the rise of the Choe family military dictatorship under Choe Chung-heon. The king remained a figurehead while Choe controlled the government, army, and royal succession. This period established the Choe regime's dominance.

Choe Chung-heon forced King Myeongjong to abdicate in favor of his younger brother, King Sinjong. Myeongjong was exiled to Ganghwa Island. This demonstrated the complete control of the Choe regime over the monarchy.

Mengli I Giray formed a strategic alliance with Ivan III of Moscow against the Great Horde, the remnant of the Golden Horde. This alliance was formalized through treaties and mutual military support, reshaping the power balance in Eastern Europe.

Mengli I Giray's Crimean forces, with Muscovite support, attacked and destroyed Sarai, the capital of the Great Horde. This effectively ended the Great Horde as a major power and eliminated a common enemy for the Crimean Khanate and Muscovy.

Mengli I Giray led a large-scale raid into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland. The Crimean forces plundered the region, capturing many slaves. This raid was part of the ongoing conflict with Lithuania and demonstrated Crimean military power.