In 1950, the People's Republic of China began annexing Tibet to its territory. Tension was rising in Lhasa. In early March 1956, the Dalai Lama received an invitation to a “theatrical performance and tea” at a Chinese army headquarters. News of the invitation quickly spread among the people, who, fearing that their leader might be abducted, surrounded the Dalai Lama's palace to prevent his capture. This took place on March 10, 1959.
Two days later, the streets of Lhasa were filled with protesters declaring Tibetan independence. On March 19, fighting began. Norbulingka and important Lhasa monasteries were shelled. Thousands of Tibetan monks were executed or arrested. Chinese authorities punished Tibetans who had any weapons in their homes with death. Nearly 86,000 Tibetans were killed.
The Dalai Lama and more than 80,000 Tibetans emigrated to India where they were given refuge.
Between 1959 and 1964, Tibetan guerrillas were secretly trained by the CIA. Some were sent to Tibet to join resistance groups. Others were sent to different parts of Tibet to gather information. The remainder took part in the preparation of the CIA-funded Tibetan resistance movement, which operated from 1959-1974.
