What caused the Lhasa uprising of March 1959?

The Lhasa uprising of March 1959 was fueled by years of escalating tension following the Chinese occupation of Tibet. The situation deteriorated due to the strain of supporting Chinese military and civilian personnel, as well as reports of oppression and fighting in eastern Tibetan districts.12

These conditions led to a flow of refugees into Lhasa and the spread of guerrilla warfare into central Tibet. The immediate catalyst for the March 10, 1959, uprising was the emergence of widespread rumors that Chinese authorities intended to kidnap the 14th Dalai Lama. In response, crowds gathered at the Dalai Lama’s summer palace to protect him, leading to a breakdown in communications between the Tibetan government and Chinese military authorities.12