A history of Tibetan nationalism and Sino-Tibetan relations

This dissertation examines the cultural and political basis of Tibetan nationalism, the history of Sino-Tibetan relations, and the issue of Tibetan self-determination. The primary thesis of this dissertation is that Tibetan nationalism has strong foundations in ethnic identity, language, culture, religion, territory and history of political autonomy but has only assumed the proportions of a political nationalism because of modern imperialist threats, from Britain and China in the early 20th century and imperial conquest and rule by China after 1950. In a phenomenon typical of colonialism, Tibetan nationalism has grown under the conditions of foreign conquest and rule despite every effort by the Chinese to eradicate it.;In the fourth period, from 1950 to the present, Tibetan independence was forcibly eliminated by the Chinese conquest and Tibetan national identity came under intense pressure from repression of Tibetan nationalist resistance and campaigns for the "socialist transformation" of Tibetan society. The modern period of Tibetan history and Sino-Tibetan relations has been examined by using Chinese, Tibetan and international documentary sources in English translation as well as extensive interviews with Tibetan subjects. The dissertation ends with an examination of Tibet's legal case within international law, self-determination in international law, minorities rights in international law, minorities rights in theory and practice in the People's Republic of China, and the prospects for Tibetan self-determination.;The history of Tibetan nationalism and Sino-Tibetan relations may be divided into four periods. During the first period, from the beginnings of Tibetan history to the end of the Tibetan empire in 842, Tibetan national and political identity was consolidated over the territory and peoples of the Tibetan plateau. In the second period, from 842 to 1895, the Tibetan Buddhist state was organized and Tibet came under a feudal type relationship with Mongol and Manchu dynasties ruling China. In the third period, of the early 20th century, Tibetan nationalism was stimulated by British and Chinese imperialist threats. The first three periods are examined by an extensive review of secondary historical sources in European languages, including British and Chinese government documents in English and a synthesis of that material.