NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
1949, the country known as the roof of the world, Tibet, was an independent nation that had little contact with the outside world. Tibetan Buddhism played a central role in the peoples lives as they lived happily with their own unique culture. But their way of living would soon change when the Chinese planned a full-scale military invasion and announced they would liberate Tibet from all foreign imperialists. From that moment, all hell would break loose and feeling of fear, pain, and the question of why would forever stay with the people of Tibet. From 1911 through 1950, Tibet avoided all influences from foreign countries and behaved as an independent state.
The 13 th Dalai Lama emphasized his countrys independence by issuing a proclamation and strengthening their defenses. Most foreign governments with whom Tibet maintained a relationship with recognized Tibet's independent status (History of Tibet). Britain supported by organizing the Simla Convention in 1914 for negotiations between China and Tibet concerning the future of the country. The Chinese did not accept the terms and they refused to sign the formal agreement, therefore the opposing countries relationship remained unanswered (Kizilos 42). Problems arose between the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama in 1922 when the Panchen Lama refused to pay taxes to support Tibet's military. This resulted in him fleeing to China.
When he asked Britain to mediate the dispute, they refused for they did not want to interfere with Tibetan affairs. Because of this, he remained in China for 14 years. In 1933, the 13 th Dalai Lama died and renewed attempts to negotiate with China failed (Kizilos 43). A search party of Tibetan monks found the new Dalai Lama, Tennis Gyatso, in 1939 and was enthroned in Lhasa in 1940. Since he was not yet the necessary age to take up the reins of the government, Tibet was governed by a regency (Farrer-Halls 28).
Despite all the pressures of World War II, Tibet remained neutral and refused permission for the Americans and the Chinese nationalists to transport military supplies through their land. China and Tibet had yet to resolve their differences and the war delayed any serious efforts, but meanwhile, a threat to the Chinese government was underway. A communist movement, lead by Mao Zedong, was gaining popularity. The Tibetans sympathized for the difficulties of the countries during the war, but prayed not for a victory of a particular side but for the return of peace (Kizilos 44). The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) overcame the nationalist government and gained control of China. On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong, the leader of the CCP, proclaimed the Peoples Republic of China (PRC).
They announced their plans to liberate Tibet along with Taiwan. This communist takeover had a major impact on Tibetan- Chinese relation. The CCP quickly renounced any negotiations on the future of Tibet and claimed that Tibet has always been apart of Chinese territory. Tibet was not prepared to deal with the threat of the invasion. Generally being a peace-loving country lacking the desire to fight, Tibet had an army that was badly equipped, no match compared to the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). (Farrer-Halls 28, 30). The 15 year old Dalai Lama gained full control over the running of the government.
He was now the political and spiritual leader of Tibet. The turning point of Tibet's history came when the PLA marched over the Tibetan border in 1949. In October 1950, China launched a full-scale military assault on Tibet. More than 40, 000 PLA troops overcame the Tibetan resistance on the eastern border and drove toward the capital, Lhasa.
China declared that Tibet was officially apart of the PRC. Many countries around the world denounced the Chinese takeover as a violation of international law and an unjustified act or aggression but did little to protest. By 1951, the PLA had totally broken the Tibetan military resistance. Although Tibet made numerous appeals to the United Nations for support, they did nothing because Tibet was not a member of the UN.
Under the threat of further attacks, the Tibetans had no options open to them but to negotiate with the Chinese government. The result was a 17 -Point Agreement, granting the Chinese control over Tibet with the understanding that Tibet's political system would remain intact along with the Dalai Lamas authority. However, by the end of 1954, the Chinese changed their policy. They allowed the Tibetan government to exist only as puppets for Chinese authority (Kizilos 47). In April 1954, India and China signed the Sino-Indian Agreement in which India publicly acknowledged Chinas claim over Tibet. This weakened Tibet's position because India was one of the few countries that supported and openly stated that Tibet was nothing but independent.
Now that all changed and Tibet was to face the harsh treatments under the Chinese rule alone. The Chinese began applying new policies such as confiscating guns from the people, imposing taxes on all property, and setting up communes. Probably the most important was when the Chinese wanted to weaken the religious influence and did so by terrorizing monks and destroying sacred monasteries. This lead to a revolt in eastern Tibet, and the Chinese fought back by shelling more monasteries, which they believed, was the center of their resistance. In March 1959, artillery shells landed near the summer home of the Dalai Lama. Suspicions arose when Chinese generals invited the Dalai Lama to a meeting alone.
His advisors obviously saw it as a trap and considered him fleeing the country to seek refuge. The unusual invitation stirred up a storm of Tibetan protesters that gathered around his summer palace to support the Dalai Lama. Eventually, the Dalai Lama failed his efforts to negotiate and fled to India in exile. The Chinese replaced the local government with a military government led by the Panchen Lama. Thousands of Tibetans were executed, imprisoned, and sent to labor camps.
They were also stripped of their freedom of speech, movement, and association (free Tibet now! ). In 1963, the PRC established the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). From 1966 - 1976, the Cultural Revolution swept through China; making conditions worst in Tibet. This was a period of rebellion against religious and cultural traditions that ruined the whole Tibetan culture. The destruction of monasteries was very shocking as was the political arrests that broke up many families.
If they disagreed with the ideas of the revolution, they were sent to trial, having their own family, children, or friend accuse them. After the death of Mao Zedong and the end of the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese granted Tibet more freedom allowing them to continue religious studies and abolishing taxes (Farrer-Halls 33). For almost a century, Tibet and China have been in dispute over who should control the land of Tibet. With the recent amount of given media attention, its easy to forget problem that keeps the conflict going.
The only way to resolve this conflict is for both sides to be willing to compromise, but that has not happened yet. The Tibetans have struggled to gain their independence by fighting countless battles and dealing with all the political upheaval. Until this day, their struggle continues. But meanwhile, we must continue our efforts to help Tibet.
Free research essays on topics related to: dalai lama, cultural revolution, mao zedong, chinese government, full scale
Research essay sample on Dalai Lama Mao Zedong
