Institutions of Public Government in Manchu-Mongolian Polities, 1900s–1920s: A Case Study of Hulunbuir

Introduction. The paper attempts an insight into how institutions of public government developed in Manchu-Mongolian polities throughout the 1900s–1920s — and focuses on the geopolitically and strategically important Chinese region of Hulunbuir. Goals. The article aims to explore the transformation of power structures in Hulunbuir, reveal some internal contradictions and the split in bureaucratic circles that occurred under the influence of various political forces between 1908 and 1920.To facilitate this, the work shall examine the structure of the Manchu Eight Banner system in the region, analyze the new policies of Qing authorities in Hulunbuir, trace changes in the public government structure across the region in 1912–1915, follow how (and why) Hulunbuir lost its autonomy in 1920. Conclusion. As is shown, the hierarchical structure of Hulunbuir’s administrative powers — despite the attempts to change it undertaken by various political forces — did still retain the traditional features of the Manchu Eight Banner system by 1920. At the level of regional authorities, the shaping of policies was largely influenced by internal contradictions between various ethnic groups of Hulunbuir. However, even when it came to join Outer Mongolia in 1912–1915, authorities of Hulunbuir used each and every possibility to maintain independence in external and internal affairs, finances. The dramatic changes of 1917–1919 in the situation — in and around Hulunbuir — triggered that the decision-making apparatus preferred to abolish Hulunbuir’s autonomy and turn it into a mere periphery of the Republic of China.

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