In the 17th century, Mongolia lost much of its power as they moved into Russian lands and were defeated in the mid-17th century. During this period, Buddhism became more popular until they formed a protectorate over Tibet. At the same time, the Chinese Qing dynasty took control and moved into Northern Mongolia. In 1911, this rule ended and for a short time, outer Mongolia established a theocracy. Eight years later, a Chinese warlord took control followed by a Russian warlord in 1920. Russian troops later defeated the Russian warlord and Mongolia became a Soviet satellite.

The ties with the Soviet Union cost Mongolia trade opportunities and increased unemployment and poverty. With the fall of the Soviet empire, Mongolia lost the Soviet support it grew to rely on. Today, Mongolia is working to address its past and relight its sense of history and pride. The era of globalisation is Mongolia’s new challenge and it will have to develop its ties with the EU as well as Asia.