I'll start with a little background knowledge that I have of
Mongolia. Tibetan Buddhism was readily accepted because its
tantric nature incorporated many of the traditional shamanistic
beliefs. This form of Buddhism took hold and helped "assimilate"
Mongolia. By the 17th century Mongolia was incorporated under
Chinese rule, having submitted to the Manchus, with whom they
still had some common background. As China's last dynasty (Qing)
weakened and eventually fell, Mongolia declared its
independence. However, the new Republic of China tried to occupy
Mongolia as it had been a part of China for centuries. This is
when Baron Ungern (White Russians) intervenes and kicks out the
Chinese soldiers. Then the Soviets saw this as an opportunity to
expand and in 1924 establish Mongolian People's Republic,
effectively redeclaring independence from China. Then the bad
times came, Soviet collectivization of livestock, persecution of
Buddhists, and the Stalinist purge(s). Essentially Mongolia was
a part of the USSR and trea