The model autonomous region’s myth: The Chinese Communist Party’s nationality policy in Inner Mongolia, 1945-1976

Zhou, Yi 2025. The model autonomous region’s myth: The Chinese Communist Party’s nationality policy in Inner Mongolia, 1945-1976. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This thesis examines the Chinese Communist Party’s nationality policy from 1945 to 1976, with a primary focus on Inner Mongolia. In the 1950s, the CCP leadership hoped Inner Mongolia could be a good example for other non-Han regions. However, this research wants to argue that the “model autonomous region” is a myth. Certainly, in terms of stability, Inner Mongolia appears to be successful. Yet, in terms of the interests and rights of minority nationalities, numerous problems existed, even during the 1950s, the most peaceful period of Mao’s era. This research aims to explain the problems and why Mao’s CCP was awkward regarding nationality issues by exploring a large amount of historical documents, which were . The first chapter will discuss the international environment, how the CCP incorporated Inner Mongolian autonomous movements, and establish the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Chapter 2 will discuss the civil war from 1946 to 1949 and how it impacted Inner Mongolia’s land reform. Chapter 3 discusses the CCP’s nationality policy after 1949 and how and why minority interests were not guaranteed. Chapter 4 will examine the minority people’s resistance to the agricultural collectivisation movement, the minority’s criticisms of the CCP in 1957 and the CCP’s anti-local nationalism campaign. Chapter 5 will examine Inner Mongolia’s situation in the Great Leap Forward and Ulanhu’s conflicts with the North China Bureau. The last chapter will examine the darkest page in the IMAR’s history, how and why Mongols were cruelly tortured, persecuted, and killed during the Cultural Revolution. In a brief conclusion, although sometimes the CCP’s minority policy seemed lenient and moderate, it must serve the Party’s core priorities. When the two were in conflict, the minority policy was immediately abandoned. Mao’s totalitarian system would not allow minorities to be treated as “special,” which would impede his overall aim.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Law
Subjects:	K Law > KZ Law of Nations
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Inner Mongolia, Mongols, China, Chinese Communist Party, China’s nationality policy, ethnopolitics
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	19 September 2025
Last Modified:	22 Sep 2025 14:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/181196

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