EurasianStudies_0110..

January-March 2010 JOURNAL OF EURASIAN STUDIES Volume II., Issue 1.
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key role in these events was played by Bogdo gegen, who appeared to be a reasonable leader for all
Mongols and ruled the movement. The independence of Mongolia was declared due to the unhesitating
position of Bogdo Gegen, who became the Mongolian khagan or great king of that time. He could
manage to consolidate in this struggle both the clerical and secular elite, and secure its support from
Lamas and other strata of society. Successful consequences of the liberation movement reinforced the
intention of the Mongolian elite to devolve the supreme power to Bogdo Gegen. Thus, the Mongolian
national-liberation movement was formed and passed through under the leadership of Buddhist
hierarchy, despite opposition of certain nobles.
The analysis of archive documents allows us to conclude that the leading role in the beginning phase
of the liberation movement (1905 — early 1906) was played by the Eastern Mongolian or Khalkha
aristocracy, whose members lived in present-day Mongolia or Outer Mongolia. They embraced the idea
of pan-Mongolism or all-Mongolian alliance since 1905 and it was developed by representatives of
Eastern Mongolia, whereas the elite of Inner Mongolia embraced the idea only after 1917.
The social situation in Mongolia during the discussed period determines the character of policy of
two concerned states, namely Russia and Japan, in respect of the “Mongolian problem”; they divided
their own “influence belt”. The first treaty was concluded in 1907, the second in 1912. Both countries,
working on strengthening their ascendancy, had actively used the religious factor in areas of their
influences: Japan in Inner Mongolia and Russia in Outer Mongolia.
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