Background: revival of Russian interest in the Far East -- Traditional Chinese diplomacy in retreat: The Treaty of Aigun -- Capitulation: The Treaty of Peking -- Ethnic tensions: the Muslim uprising and Russian invasion -- Chinese diplomacy in disarray: The Treaty of Livadia -- A reprieve: The Treaty of St. Petersburg -- The apogee of Tsarist imperialism: the Chinese Eastern Railway -- Over-extension: the Boxer Uprising and the Russian invasion -- Roll-back: the Russo-Japanese War -- Mongolia: the last frontier -- Tsarist foreign policy: Mongolian autonomy and Chinese Suzerainty -- Soviet foreign policy: Mongolian independence under Soviet tutelage.