The effect of colonisation on Mongolia
by Nomin
Mongolia is located in Asia between two of the world’s most powerful nations: Russia and China. Therefore many different empires have had a desire to conquer Mongolia over the past several centuries. The first reason colonisers wanted Mongolia was because of its strategically important location. Mongolia is a vast land in the middle of Russia and China. From Mongolia, people could carefully watch these powerful countries. Secondly, Mongolia had many natural resources. One of these that especially attracted others was the gold, copper, and many other valuable things that could be mined for a lot of money.
Russia conquered Mongolia in 1921. They ruled the country until 1990 (69 years)! During this period under Soviet rule, Mongolia was known as a “Soviet Satellite” or a “Puppet Republic”. Even though they ruled their country, the sad truth was that Mongolians were the puppets and the Russians held the strings to this puppet. For example, Mongolian Prime Ministers were not permitted to meet or make any contact with other foreign countries without permission from the Soviet leaders. Many smart Mongolian leaders who, in the Soviet leaders’ eyes, had gained too much power and independence were summoned by the Soviet leader for a “vacation” and were killed. The graves of these leaders were unmarked just as all the graves from all the other people killed by the Soviets were.
Because of the Soviet colonisation, Mongolia lost a lot of its natural resources and people. The number of national leaders and civilians, who opposed the Soviet involvement, was killed. Mongolia’s copper, gold and other valuable resources were mined. But, the Soviets colonising Mongolia also had good affects. Modern science, education and public health were developed in the isolated country of Mongolia. Many young Mongolians received education in Russia. The population of Mongolia and its life expectancy rate increased greatly. The Russians also founded schools and provided education for the Mongolians. The Mongolian people learned Russian and it allowed them to have a better access to information about the modern world. The Soviets helped Mongolians to build many factories, buildings and apartment complexes.