1935

Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, born.

1940

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, is enthroned at Lhasa.

1941-44

Tibet remains neutral during the Second World War and refuses permission for the Americans or the Chinese nationalists to transport military supplies through Tibetan territory.

1947

Tibet sends a Delegation to discuss trade and to open formal relations abroad, to India, China, Britain and the USA.

1949

In China the People's Liberation Army overcome the Nationalists (KMT) and, on October 1st, Mao Zedong proclaims the People's Republic of China. The 10th Panchen Lama, then 11 years old, telegrams Mao Tsetung asking him to "unify the motherland." The PLA announces its intention to "liberate Tibet from foreign imperialists."

1950

The 14th Dalai Lama, then 15 years old, takes over the running of the Government.
October 7th: the Chinese cross the Yangtse into Central Tibet and destroy the small garrison force at Chando, claiming Tibet had always been Chinese territory. India objects. Tibet files protest with United Nations. Security Council approves British proposal to let the parties negotiate among themselves.

1951

May 23rd: The Tibetans, led by Ngapo Ngawang Jigme, sign the 17-Point Agreement, promising cultural and political autonomy but relinquishing independence and making Tibet a "national autonomous region" of China.
October 24th: the agreement is ratified by the Dalai Lama and the National Assembly.

1954

April 29th: India and China signs a treaty enunciating the "Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence," and recognizing China's claim to Tibet. Revolt grows in Eastern Tibet when the Chinese begin destroying monasteries and imposing collectivisation.

1955

Preparatory Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region is set up with the Dalai Lama as Chairman and Panchen Lama and Zhang Guohua as deputy chairmen.

1956

Dalai Lama goes to India for the Buddha Jayanfi and tells Nehru he wants to stay; Zhou Enlai and Mao promise that there will be no forced reforms and he returns to Lhasa.

1959

10th March: thousands of Tibetans take to the streets in Lhasa.
March 17th: The Dalai Lama flees to India; 80,000 other Tibetans follow him.
March 19th: Tibetan troops join the uprising against the Chinese.
March 23rd: Uprising suppressed. The Chinese dissolve the Tibetan local Government and impose military Government, fronted by the Panchen Lama, and in April begin "democratic reforms." Thousands of Tibetans are executed, imprisoned, or sent to labor camps. Destruction of monasteries begins.

1959-1961

The Great Leap Forward leads to widespread famine, with up to 30 million believed to have died in China and many thousands in Tibet.

1962

October 20th: War between China and India over disputed border claims in Tibet.

1965

September 9th: The Tibet Autonomous Region is formally established. The Cultural Revolution begins, destroying 90% of the remaining monasteries and outlawing most Tibetan cultural customs and religion. The UN passes a resolution supporting the Tibetan people's right to self-determination.

1967

During Chinese Cultural Revolution, Tibetan temples, monasteries, libraries, and sacred monuments destroyed or made into state museums.

1976

The Cultural Revolution ends with the death of Mao. The Chinese acknowledge "past mistakes in Tibet," blaming them on the Cultural Revolution and on the ultra-leftist policies of the Gang of Four.