20세기 초 몽골의 독립과 철도 문제

Abstract

This study aims to re-examine the issue of Mongolia's independence by examining the imperialist powers' plans to build a Mongolian railway in the 1910s and Mongolia's position on it. In the late 19th century, Russia, which was interested in Mongolia's rich livestock and underground resources through its Eastward Policy, expanded its power into Mongolia and envisioned the construction of the Mongolian Railway as a branch of the Siberian Railway. China, concerned that Mongolia would be separated from China due to Russia’s advance into Mongolia, China completed the Jingzhang(京張) Railway connecting Beijing to the border city of Changchiakow(張家口), but later built a railroad that turned west into Inner Mongolia due to economic problems. Meanwhile, the United States, a late entrant to the Manchurian Railway, rejected a Russian offer to build a railway with it. The United States recognized that Mongolia was part of China at the time, so it was unwilling to accept the construction of the Mongolian Railway because of its relationship with China. Russia was strongly inclined to build the Mongolian Railroad because it had already been recognized by Japan for its control of Outer Mongolia in the power-sharing agreement with Japan. Russia then signed a secret agreement with Mongolia in 1914 to build the railway. The treaty prohibited Mongolia from building railroads without Russian permission. Russia, which obtained exclusive rights to build Mongolian railways, was able to exercise absolute influence in Mongolia thereafter.