Chronologies | Week 6

The Radical Years in the PRC

"The Chinese Communist Party has consistently recognized the nationalities question as being one of the major questions of the Chinese revolution and the liberation of the national minorities as being a part of the liberation of the Chinese...What has been called nationality struggle is in reality a question of class struggle". Mao Zedong (1940's?).

1949 Communist victory, "Liberation" of China, establishment of PRC.
Oct. 1950 PLA troops cross Yangtze river and defeat Tibetan troops in Chamdo, on the eastern edge of Central Tibetan territory.

Nov. 1950 The regent and the Kashag (Council of ministers) in Lhasa request the 16 year old 14th Dalai Lama to take up his full powers as religious and political authority of Central Tibet two years ahead of the traditional age.

May 1951 Tibetan delegation reluctantly signs the "17 Point Agreement" with the CCP w/out Dalai Lama's approval. First time Tibetan govt. formally recognized Chinese sovereignty. Agreement promises to leave traditional govt. intact. PLA troops march into Lhasa.

1951-56 Mao pursues "gradualist" policy in TAR, urges PLA and Han cadres to "make friends and do good", respect local customs. At same time, Chinese begin massive infrastructure construction in Tibetan regions.

1955-56 Sino-Tibetan relations in TAR and eastern Tibetan regions deterioriate. CCP treats other Tibetan regions as part of other provinces, land reforms and other attempts at forced assimilation implemented there. Men in Khams and Amdo take to mountains in revolt, try to organize guerrilla campaign of resistance, refugees flee to Lhasa.

1958 Great Leap Forward. Mao tries to mobilize country to quickly modernize and achieve pure Communism in one step. Mass kitchens, day care organized, women encouraged to work, industry emphasized. All ethnic customs, dress, language discouraged.

1958-59 Revolts in eastern Tibetan regions and in Lhasa and flight of Dalai Lama to India. PLA troops crackdown. Monasteries shelled, looted, monks and lamas arrested as "leaders" of rebels. Terms of 17-pt. agreement renounced and reforms implemented in TAR. Mao's economic policies cause massive famine throughout the country, ~30 million people die.

"The thought of Mao Zedong is the sun in our heart, the root of our life, and the source of all our strength. Through it one becomes unselfish, daring, intelligent, and able to do anything; no difficulty can conquer him, while he can conquer any enemy. The thought of Mao Zedong transforms men's ideology, transforms the fatherland... Through it the oppressed people of the world will rise". PLA newspaper, 1966.

1966-1976 The "Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution". In order to re-establish his power in Beijing, Mao encourages radical youth to organize (as "Red Guards) and destroy the "elites", launches "Destroy the 4 olds" Campaign. Red Guard factional fighting sends country into anarchy. Some Tibetans take advantage of the social chaos to rebel, others participate in destruction of religious monuments. Most monasteries, temples, shrines in Tibetan regions damaged or completely destroyed. All ethnic customs, dress, hairstyles, language learning prohibited.

1976 Death of Mao Zedong. His widow, Jiang Qing, tries to maintain radical policies.

1978 Rise of new moderate government. Jiang Qing and 3 associates (called the "Gang of Four") arrested, imprisoned, and scapegoated for failures of the Cultural Revolution.

1981 "Reform and Opening Up". Deng Xiaoping emerges as head of state, dismantles many of Mao's policies, decides people needed material incentives, not political campaigns, to modernize. Ethnic minorities allowed more freedom to express ethnicity, religious beliefs. Tibetans begin revitalization of religion, local customs.

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