Figure 1.--Tibet in the early-20th century was one of the most isolated places in the world. Th Himalyas had shielded Tibet from India and the Chinese until the 18th century showed little interest in Tibet. China duing its short period ofcontroling Tibet never governed Tibet with a heavy hand and Tibet was thus litl changed. And with the growing power of the Eyropeans, the Chinese focus shifted east to meat the European incursions. With the fall of thevManchus, local authoritie in Tibet disarmed and expelled the Chinese soldiers. Tibet then declared its independence (1913). Here we see a Lama with a headdress and an unidentified Caucasian man seated in front of nine boys and men in 1923.

Tibet is a mountenous country which as result is one of the most isolated countries on earth. The population is largely Mongol in origin. Tibet flourish for some time as an independent kingdom. The religion is Lamaism which evolved in the 8th century AD from Mahayana Buddism originating in India. The Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama became the titualr heads of government. Isolated from the rest of the world, Tibet retained a pastoral way of life, unaffected by modern developments. China invaded Tibet (1720). Chinese control was largely titular. Tibet declared its independence afer China declared a republic (1913). The new Tibetian Government transferred territory to British India, The 13th Dalai Lama died (1933). China renewed its claim of soverignity, but had little means to establish more than nominal control. After the Communists seized control of China (1949) they invaded Tibet (1950). The Chinese built the first highway to Tibet, linking western Tibet with Sinkiang Privince. The Communists pursued land reforms and curtailed religious freedom, restricting the authority of monastic order, resultung in a major rebellion (1959). The Chinese supressed the rebellion and the Dali Lama escaoed to India. The Chinese installed the Panchen Lama as a puppet ruler. The Chinese initiated attacks aling the Tibetian-Indian border (1962). The goal was to regain the territory that had been transferred to India.

Prehistory

Tibet is a mountenous country which as result is one of the most isolated countries on earth. The population is largely Mongol in origin.

Independent History

Tibet first emerged in written history as a unified country (7th century). The Empire declined into various divided territories. Tibetian monarchies retained at least nominal control of western and central Tibet. They ruled from Lhasa, Shigatse, or other nearby locations. Tibet flourish for some time as an independent kingdom. The religion is Lamaism which evolved in the 8th century AD from Mahayana Buddism originating in India. The Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama became the titualr heads of government. Isolated from the rest of the world, Tibet retained a pastoral way of life, unaffected by modern developments. These Tibetian monarchies were over time under various degrees of control by either the Moingols or Chinese. The eastern regions of Tibet (Kham and Amdobe) came separated from the rest of the original Empire. In these eastern regions, a varying number of substantial number of small principalities and tribal groups emerged. Unlike the west, no centeralized power emerged. China gradually achieved more direct control of this area and there was an influx of Han Chinese. Most of these area became the Chinese provinces of Sichuan and Qinghai.

First Chinese Invasion (1720)

China invaded Tibet (1720). Chinese control was largely titular. China has since claimed soverignity, although often only nominally. This changed temporarily with the fall of the Manchu (Qing) Dynasty (1912).

Indpendence (1913)

With the fall of thevManchus, local authoritie in Tibet disarmed and expelled the Chinese soldiers. Tibet then declared its independence (1913).Tibet declared its independence afer China declared a republic (1913). The new Tibetian Government transferred territory to British India, The 13th Dalai Lama died (1933). China renewed its claim of soverignity, but had little means to establish more than nominal control. Tibet was able to maintain its independence until the victiory of the Chinese Communists in the Civil War (1949).

Second Chinese Invasion (1950)

After the Communists seized control of China (1949) they invaded Tibet during the Korean War (1950-51). The Chinese built the first highway to Tibet, linking western Tibet with Sinkiang Province. The Communists pursued land reforms and curtailed religious freedom, restricting the authority of monastic order, resultung in a major rebellion (1959). The Chinese supressed the rebellion and the Dali Lama escaped to India. The Chinese abolished the Tibetian Government (1959). The Chinese installed the Panchen Lama as a puppet ruler. The Chinese initiated attacks aling the Tibetian-Indian border (1962). The goal was to regain the territory that had been transferred to India. China now rules Tibet as the western and central Tibet as the Tibet Autonomous Region. As is the practice of Communist regimes, the 'Automous' aspect of the name is pure fiction. The eastern areas were largely annexed to the Chinese provinces of Sichuan and Qinghai provinces. The Chinese Government to increase its control over Tibet and promoted the migrantion of Han Chinese into Tibet. The Tibetian pobulation is very traditional and there have been perodic uprisings put down by the Chinese. Exile groups led by the Dali-Llama are active, primarily in India.

Chinese View

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Created: 6:38 AM 10/16/2014
Last updated: 6:38 AM 10/16/2014