Why were the Mongols are so destructive and cruel?

The Mongols were often seen as destructive and cruel due to their military tactics, which included widespread violence, mass killings, and the deliberate destruction of cities that resisted them. Their leaders, particularly Genghis Khan, believed in achieving swift and absolute control over vast territories, and they employed terror as a psychological weapon to instill fear in their enemies. This approach not only facilitated rapid conquests but also served to deter future resistance. Additionally, the harshness of their campaigns was influenced by the nomadic culture of the Mongols, which prioritized survival and dominance in a harsh environment.