Brief History of Tibet: Timeline

Note: for the complete list please visit www.studentsforafreetibet.org

1949

Mao's People's Republic of China.

Mao Zedong proclaims the founding of the People's Republic of China and threatens Tibet with "liberation".

1950

Dalai Lama, Head of State

China enforces a long-held claim to Tibet. The Dalai Lama, now aged 15, officially becomes head of state.

1951

Seventeen Point Agreement

Tibetan leaders are forced to sign a treaty dictated by China. The treaty, known as the "Seventeen Point Agreement", professes to guarantee Tibetan autonomy and to respect the Buddhist religion, but also allows the establishment of Chinese civil and military headquarters at Lhasa.

Mid-50's

Resentment.

Mounting resentment against Chinese rule leads to outbreaks of armed resistance.

1954

Dalai Lama in Beijing

HH the Dalai Lama visits Beijing for talks with Mao, but China still fails to honour the Seventeen Point Agreement.

1959

Uprising

Full-scale uprising breaks out in Lhasa. Thousands are said to have died during the suppression of the revolt. The Dalai Lama and most of his ministers flee to northern India, to be followed by some 80,000 other Tibetans.

1963

Closed down

Foreign visitors are banned from Tibet.

1965

Tibet Autonomous Region

Chinese government establishes Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR).

1966

Cultural Revolution in Tibet

The Cultural Revolution reaches Tibet and results in the destruction of a large number of monasteries and cultural artifacts.

1987

Zone of Peace

The Dalai Lama calls for the establishment of Tibet as a zone of peace and continues to seek dialogue with China, with the aim of achieving genuine self-rule for Tibet within China.

1988

Matrial Law

China imposes martial law after riots break out in a renewed Uprising.

1989

Nobel Peace Prize

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace.

1995

The Panchen Lama

The Dalai Lama names a six-year-old boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as the true reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, the second most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism. The Chinese authorities place the boy under house arrest and designate another six-year-old boy, Gyancain Norbu, as their officially sanctioned Panchen Lama.

2006

Railway Line

A new railway linking Lhasa and the Chinese city of Golmud is opened. The Chinese authorities hail it as a feat of engineering, but critics say it will significantly increase Han Chinese traffic to Tibet and accelerate the undermining of traditional Tibetan culture.

2008

Olympics

Anti-China protests escalate into the worst violence Tibet has seen in 20 years, five months before Beijing hosts the Olympic Games.

Pro-Tibet activists in several countries focus world attention on the region by disrupting progress of the Olympic torch relay.

2006

Railway Line

A new railway linking Lhasa and the Chinese city of Golmud is opened. The Chinese authorities hail it as a feat of engineering, but critics say it will significantly increase Han Chinese traffic to Tibet and accelerate the undermining of traditional Tibetan culture.

2010

Student Protest

Student protests break out in Amdo (Ch: Qinghai) after officials propose eliminating Tibetan as the language of instruction in schools. The proposal is later dismissed; a victory for the students.

2011

HH the Dalai Lama resigns

The Dalai Lama announces his resignation from his political role.

Lobsang Sangay is elected Kalon Tripa of the Tibetan Government in Exile.

2011

Tibetans self-immolate

2 Tibetans, mostly monks and nuns, self-immolate as a form of protest against Chinese rule. (March) Phuntsok, 20, Kirti Monastery, deceased. (August) Tsewang Norbu, 29, Kardze Monastery, deceased. (September) Lobsang Kalsang and Lobsang Konchok, 18, Kirti Monastery. (October) Kalsang Wangchuk, 17, Kirti Monastery. Choephel, 19, formerly of Kirti Monastery, deceased. Khayang, 17, formerly of Kirti Monastery, deceased. Norbu Dramdul, 19, formerly of Kirti Monastery, deceased. Tenzin Wangmo, 20, nun of Mame Dechen Chokorling, deceased. Dawa Tsering, 38, Kardze Monastery, unknown. (November) Palden Choetso, 35, nun at Ganden Jangchup Choeling, deceased. (December) Tenzin Phuntsog, 40s, Karma Monastery, deceased.

2013

Self Immolations continue

The unprecedented trend of self-immolations continues, so far 106 Tibetans have self-immolated.

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