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Outer Manchuria

geography Maturity 7-9 Next article →

{

"text": "Outer Manchuria, also known as Russian Manchuria, is a significant region in Northeast Asia.

MANCHURIA-U.S.S.R BOUNDARY Ct002999
MANCHURIA-U.S.S.R BOUNDARY Ct002999

Historically, this territory was part of Manchuria. Today, it is part of the Russian Far East. The region includes several modern Russian areas. These include Primorsky Krai and southern Khabarovsk Krai. It also contains the Jewish Autonomous Oblast and the Amur Oblast. The large island of Sakhalin is also part of this region. It is a land defined by major waterways and borders. The Amur and Ussuri rivers are central to its geography.\n\nThe geography of the region is shaped by specific landmarks. Historically, Manchuria included the Priamurye area. This area sits between the left bank of the Amur River and the Stanovoy Range. To the east lies the Primorskaya region. This area covers the right bank of the Ussuri River and the lower Amur River. It stretches all the way to the Pacific Coast. The region is bounded by mountains and rivers that serve as natural markers. These features helped define the borders between different empires for centuries.\n\nMany different groups of people have inhabited this land. Before Russian control, the area was home to various Tungusic peoples. The Han Chinese categorized these groups as \"Wild Jurchens.\" Today, the Evenks remain a significant indigenous group. They speak a Tungusic language closely related to Manchu. During the Qing dynasty, some Han Chinese men migrated to the region. They married local Tungusic women. Their descendants formed a distinct ethnic group known as the Taz people.

Map Presenting Ernst G. Ravenstein's Travels in the Primore from 1854-1860
Map Presenting Ernst G. Ravenstein's Travels in the Primore from 1854-1860

Some Korean communities also established themselves here. They lived in small villages to raise cattle and crops.\n\nThe history of the region involves many shifting powers. In the 7th century, the Tang dynasty built military outposts. Later, the Parhae, a Korean-Manchu polity, controlled the area. The Mongol Empire and various Chinese dynasties also held power. Between 1643 and 1689, the Qing dynasty and the Russian Empire disputed the northern territory. In 1689, they signed the Treaty of Nerchinsk. This treaty established the border at the Stanovoy Mountains and the Argun River. However, Qing officials later placed boundary markers far south of these agreed limits. This action ignored about 23,000 square miles of territory.\n\nMajor changes occurred during the mid-19th century. This period is known as the Amur Annexation. In 1856, the Russian military entered the area north of the Amur. They used the excuse of defending against France and the UK. Following the Opium Wars, Qing China faced significant pressure. China signed several \"Unequal Treaties\" with Western powers and Russia. The Treaty of Aigun in 1858 was the first major step. This was followed by the Treaty of Peking in 1860. These treaties realigned the border along the Amur and Ussuri rivers. As a result, China lost access to the Sea of Japan.\n\nModern discussions about the region involve complex legal views. Some historians point to the Karakhan Manifestos of 1919 and 1920. These were declarations issued by the Soviet deputy minister of foreign affairs, Lev M. Karakhan. The manifestos promised to return certain territories to China.

The Karakhan Manifesto I of 1919
The Karakhan Manifesto I of 1919

While these were unilateral offers, some scholars view them as legally binding. In contrast, modern Russian and Chinese leaders have worked to settle these issues. They signed agreements in 2001 and 2004. These treaties aimed to finalize the border and end territorial claims. Today, China recognizes Russian sovereignty over these areas.\n\nPlace names in the region still reflect its deep history. You can see Manchu influences in names like the Sikhote-Alin mountains. Other names include Khanka Lake and the Shantar Islands. However, many names changed during the Soviet era. In 1973, the Soviet Union renamed several locations of Chinese origin. For example, Suchan became Partizansk. Tetyukhe became Dalnegorsk. More recently, in 2023, the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources relabelled several Russian cities. They used names like Haishenwai for Vladivostok and Kuye for Sakhalin. These changing names show how much the history of Outer Manchuria continues to impact the present.",

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File:MANCHURIA-U.S.S.R BOUNDARY Ct002999.jpg
MANCHURIA-U.S.S.R BOUNDARY Ct002999.jpg
File:Map Presenting Ernst G. Ravenstein's Travels in the Primore from 1854-1860.jpg
Map Presenting Ernst G. Ravenstein's...
File:The Karakhan Manifesto I of 1919.jpg
The Karakhan Manifesto I of 1919.jpg
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