Tensions over the "Tibet Question"--the political status of Tibet--are escalating every day. The Dalai Lama has gained broad international sympathy in his appeals for autonomy from China, yet the Chinese government maintains a hard-line position against it. What is the history of the conflict? Can the two sides come to an acceptable compromise? In this thoughtful analysis, distinguished professor and longtime Tibet analyst Melvyn C. Goldstein presents a balanced and accessible view of the conflict and a proposal for the future. Tibet's political fortunes have undergone numerous vicissitudes since the fifth Dalai Lama first ascended to political power in Tibet in 1642. In this century, a forty-year period of de facto independence following the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911 ended abruptly when the Chinese Communists forcibly incorporated Tibet into their new state and began the series of changes that destroyed much of Tibet's traditional social, cultural, and economic system. After the death of Mao in 1976, the rise to power of Deng Xiaoping quickly produced a change in attitude in Beijing and a major initiative to negotiate with the Dalai Lama to solve the conflict. This failed. With the death of Deng Xiaoping, the future of Tibet is more uncertain than ever, and Goldstein argues that the conflict could easily erupt into violence. Drawing upon his deep knowledge of the Tibetan culture and people, Goldstein takes us through the history of Tibet, concentrating on the political and cultural negotiations over the status of Tibet from the turn of the century to the present. He describes the role of Tibet in Chinese politics, the feeble and conflicting responses of foreign governments, overtures and rebuffs on both sides, and the nationalistic emotions that are inextricably entwined in the political debate. Ultimately, he presents a plan for a reasoned compromise, identifying key aspects of the conflict and appealing to the United States to play an active diplomatic role. Clearly written and carefully argued, this book will become the definitive source for anyone seeking an understanding of the Tibet Question during this dangerous turning point in its turbulent history.

In fall 1984, Randolph B. “Mike” Campbell urged Donald E. Chipman, his colleague at the University of North Texas, to take an active role in writing entries on colonial Texas for Th e New Handbook of Texas, then targeted for publication in the mid-1990s. It was a fortuitous suggestion. Initially, hipman approached the early history of the Lone Star State as a part of colonial Mexico, or New Spain. In riting entries for the New Handbook of Texas, he soon saw the need for a one-volume synthesis of the Spanish experience in Texas and its continuing legacies in the Lone Star State. The result was Spanish Texas, 1519–1821 (1992), an award-winning publication. Initially, we wish to express appreciation to Mike for opening the vistas of Texas’s colonial history, and for his assistance in improving the fi rst and second editions of this book. Since 1984 we have received aid and encouragement from many individuals and institutions. Remembering them and expressing our gratitude is one of the more pleasant aspects of writing a book. In spring 1990, Chipman received a Faculty Development Leave from the University of North Texas (unt) that permitted him to conduct research in Spanish archives. He also received grants from unt’s Faculty Research Committee to cover airfare expenses, map preparation, and photo duplication. Off campus, Chipman was assisted by a grant from the Ottis Lock Foundation that helped underwrite research expenses at the Barker Texas History Center (now the Center for American History) and the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection in Austin. In Spain, doña Rosario Parra Cala of the Archivo General de Indias and doña Esperanza Salán Paniagua of the Archivo Central y Biblioteca del Ministerio de Economía y Hacienda and their staff s provided courteous and vital assistance. Professor Joseph W. McKnight of the Southern Methodist University School of Law and Professor Emeritus Thе omas N. Campbell of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin read parts of the fi rst edition manuscript that related to Spanish law and Texas Indians. As manuscript referees for the University of Texas Press and the fi rst edition, Donald C. Cutter, Professor яmeritus of the University of New Mexico and St. Mary’s University, and David J. Weber, Robert and Nancy Dedman Professor of History at Southern Methodist University, provided excellent suggestions for improving the work. At Texas Southmost College/the University of Texas at Brownsville, the Department of History and College of Liberal Arts gave assistance and encouragement to Harriett Denise Joseph, as did the staff of the Hunter Room of the Arnulfo L. Oliviera Memorial Library. Both authors wish to thank Romeo Revuelta for his assistance in compiling bibliographic citations to articles on colonial Texas that appeared in the Southwestern Historical Quarterly from 1990 to 2007. The impetus to revise and expand the fi rst edition of Spanish Texas must be credited to anthropologist Maria F. Wade at the University of Texas. Wade, who uses the book in her classes, twice implored Chipman to undertake the project, and it took two entreaties before he listened. Th en it was Th eresa J. May, assistant director and editor-in-chief of the University of Texas Press, who in spring 2007 gave the green light to a second edition and agreed to the addition of a co-author. We extend our greatest appreciation to her. Th eresa May’s approval, however, was only the start of resolving issues relating to publication. Th e fi rst edition was written on an ancient Kaypro personal computer, and lacking were both the computer and the 5¼–inch fl oppy disks. At considerable expense, the University of Texas Press underwrote the cost of scanning hard copy from the book itself, which made revision doable within a reasonable time frame. F. Todd Smith in the Department of History at unt read the second edition manuscript of Spanish Texas and made valuable suggestions for its improvement. Todd also pointed us to recent research and publication on Texas Indians. Robert S. Weddle of Bonham, Texas, the reigning “dean” of colonial Texas historians, reread early chapters of the fi rst edition and emphasized the importance of keeping the focus more on colonial Texas and less on developments in Mexico. Jim Bruseth of the Texas Historical Commission pointed us to the latest publications on the archeology of Texas missions and presidios. Harry F. Williams of the Department of Geography at unt helped by scanning maps and placing them in tiff format. Adrian R. Lewis, chair of the Department of History at unt, provided us with a small research grant to under write the cost of new illustrations. Finally, we especially want to acknowledge Victoria Davis, who ushered the work through production at the University of Texas Press. We off er thanks to all these good people.