A History of Communism’s Affect on Mongolia from 1911 until Today

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Contents 1 Mongolia prior to Communism 2 The World’s 2nd Communistic Nation – Mongolia 3 Communism’s Decline 4 Rise of Modern Mongolia 5 See also 6 References

[edit] Mongolia prior to Communism

Mongolia prior to the year 1911 was a feudal society with strong ties to its neighbors, the Manchu dynasty of China and the Lamaist religion of Tibet. At this time, the majority of the population was comprised of serfs (house servants & herders). A province of China until 1911, Mongolia’s allegiance was to the Manchu Dynasty of China. Upon the dynasty’s collapse in 1912, Mongolia declared its independence from China. From 1912-1919 Mongolia existed as a theocracy headed by the Chief Lama of Mongolia Bagd Kahn.^[1]

In 1919, the Chinese decided to invade Mongolia. They looked North, turning to Soviet Russia for aid. The Bolshevik leaders of Soviet Russia decided to support the cause, also recommending Mongolia declare independence not just from China but also replace the existing theocratic government with communism.^[2] Khorloogiin Choibalsan and Damdin Sükhbaatar led the Mongolian underground and pledged to the communistic cause.^[1] Sükhbaatar was made commander-in-chief of the Mongolian Peoples Revolutionary Army which defeated the Chinese in 1921 once again. ^[3]

[edit] The World’s 2nd Communistic Nation – Mongolia

In 1924, Chief Lama Bagd Kahn died of natural, causes allowing Mongolia to become the world’s second communistic nation. On November 25, 1924 the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP) was founded by Choibalsan and Sükhbaatar. Less then a decade later Choibalsan, a strong ally of Stalin, took power over Mongolia.^[2]

With the help of Soviet advisors and Stalin’s program, the MPRP began “the purges” destroying anyone who stood in their way. “The purges” is descriptive of the massacres and murders which reduced the population of Mongolia by one fifth.^[1] During the time from 1933-1953 purges eliminated the princely class, lamas and religious leaders, democratic leaders, high-ranking officials, intellectuals, and any ordinary citizens who stood in the way of the spread of communism.

In 1952, Choibalsan died leaving Yumjaagiin Tsendenbal to succeed him. Tesendenbal took charge of the economy and tried to centralize command of it in the following ways:^[2]

• Transforming private herding families (serfs) into sets of negdels (collectives of farmers and herders)
• Creating regional MPRP offices to oversee accounting methods, management training, loans, and tax rates
• Built industrial centers for production of animal products to sell abroad and for producing basic necessities of Mongolian life such as furniture, yurts (collapsible, felt or skin tents used by nomads), and food

The Mongolian population in 1918 grew from 600,000 mostly poor, malnourished people to 2.4 million educated, skilled workers in 1989. In 1955 Mongolia made diplomatic ties with India, the first capitalistic society it made contact with, a decision supported by the Soviets.^[2]

[edit] Communism’s Decline

Once expanding at a rapid rate from the 1960’s through the 1970’s the Mongolian Economy under its communist regime eventually leveled off in the 1980’s. Soon following this, a new young leader, Jambyn Batnmonh, succeeded Tsendenbal. In 1987 Mongolia established a policy of political openness, along with replacing MRPR elders with moderates. As the economy deteriorated further in 1988, the MRPR began a “renewal” program to revive the socialist economy. In 1989 the Soviets began withdrawing military forces and technicians from Mongolia as well as eased central control over the economy.^[2]

[edit] Rise of Modern Mongolia

In the late 1980’s Mongolia began expanding its International ties, establishing ties with over 100 countries. Young demonstrators in the cities capital, Ulan Bator, began a broad movement for democracy. This movement demanded the one-party system led by the MPRP step aside allowing democracy with a multi-party system to prevail as well as allowed reforms to shift Mongolia into the global free-market.

In 1990, Parliament approved it’s first ever Foreign Direct Investment law. It established the following as the rights of foreign investors: The Right to:^[4]

• Invest in any sector/region not prohibited by law
• Register Companies
• Lease Land
• Repatriate Investment Returns
• Enjoy legal protection equal to that of Mongolian investors

As of January 2000 more then 1,400 foreign companies and joint ventures representing 70 countries have been registered to operate in Mongolia.^[4]

[edit] See also

• Progression of the Mongolian Education System

[edit] References