The History of Tibet - Main Events

In 1206, Genghis Khan, united countless nomadicHead of State in 1950, left Tibet in 1959 and formed
tribes that were in northeast Asia, and thusa government in exile, operating from India. Since
integrated Tibet in his empire. He, as well as histhen, the Chinese violated the articles of the
descendants, was a ruthless conqueror includingagreement that had been reached.
captivating many countries.The Chinese government regards Tibet as a province
A startling event in the history of Tibet happened inof China. Immigration from China is growing and
the mid-1600's, for that was when the Mongolseducation at higher levels is conducted in the Chinese
permitted the Dalai Lama (a reincarnated monk wholanguage exclusively. Monks and nuns are viewed
is filled with extraordinary wisdom) to actuallysuspiciously by the Chinese and are often subjected
encompass political power within Tibet. This eventto beatings and incarceration.
happened after the Dalai Lama was named the headStrict quotas control the number of resident monks
of the Gelugpa order, one of the four major ordersand nuns, study has been restricted and monks
of Tibetan Buddhism, within the 15th century.under the threat of imprisonment still involuntarily
China came to Tibet to establish control of it, butdenounce the Dalai Lama.
Tibet followed with a nasty rebellion that includedToday the Chinese have economic control and are
ridding themselves of any of the Chinese military andcrowding out Tibetans. The Chinese quarters of
also any of its officials.towns, which are quite distinctive with their white tile
This led to a in which the British tried to establishand blue glass buildings, are growing larger in
solid boundaries via a truce. In 1918, a fierce battlecomparison to Tibetan quarters.
took place, which caused the loss of many lives.Systematic persecution has been replaced with far
Strife continued but in 1950, Qamdo (Chamdo) hadmore sophisticated and underhanded methods,
been invaded by Communist Troops, and Tibet wasthrough re-education, mass immigration and economic
forced to sign the "Seventeen Points Agreement oncontrol - a repressive recipe to swallow Tibet as an
Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet". Thisindependent nation and regurgitate it as a Chinese
was a new chapter in the history of Tibet.province.
The 14th Dalai Lama, who assumed powers as the