China
ruled all of Tibet from the 18th Century until independence came
in 1911. China reasserted control in 1951 and a Communist government
was installed in 1953. Neither Britain, India nor the United Nations
supported Tibet after the Chinese invaded this nation in 1950/51.
The Tibetans resisted throughout the 1950's. A violent revolt in
1959 was suppressed and the Dalai Lama, plus 100,000 Tibetans) fled
to India. Although Tibet was granted the status of autonomous region
in 1965, resentment against the Chinese occupation continued to
smolder. In the 1980's, various religious and economic rights were
restored, and overtures made towards the Dalai Lama, but this period
of goodwill was short-lived. An anti-Chinese demonstration was violently
suppressed in 1987. Martial law was imposed in 1989 and although
it was lifted in May 1990, the tension remains. The Fourteenth Dalai
Lama's government in exile is headquartered in India.
China
ruled all of Tibet from the 18th Century until independence came
in 1911. China reasserted control in 1951 and a Communist government
was installed in 1953. Neither Britain, India nor the United Nations
supported Tibet after the Chinese invaded this nation in 1950/51.
The Tibetans resisted throughout the 1950's. A violent revolt in
1959 was suppressed and the Dalai Lama, plus 100,000 Tibetans) fled
to India. Although Tibet was granted the status of autonomous region
in 1965, resentment against the Chinese occupation continued to
smolder. In the 1980's, various religious and economic rights were
restored, and overtures made towards the Dalai Lama, but this period
of goodwill was short-lived. An anti-Chinese demonstration was violently
suppressed in 1987. Martial law was imposed in 1989 and although
it was lifted in May 1990, the tension remains. The Fourteenth Dalai
Lama's government in exile is headquartered in India.