Present-day Mongolia is ruled by the Huns between the third century BC and the first century. Between the sixth and eight century it is ruled by Turkish tribes and between the eight and ninth century by Uighurians.

In 1203 Genhis Khan united the Mongolian tribes into the Mongolian Empire. He and his immediate successors conquer nearly all of Asia and European Russia and send armies as far as central Europe and Southeast Asia. Genghis Khan's grandson Kublai Khan conquers China and establishes the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368 AD). So, the empire includes in the thirteenth century large parts from Asia and Eastern Europe, and even Russia, Persia and China are under Mongolian rule. In 1368 the Mongols are expelled from China and Mongolia is limited to present day Mongolia. It falls apart in small feudal entitities.

In 1585 Mongolia becomes a theocratic state, and in 1691 it becomes a vassal state of China. The Manchus, a tribal group which conquers China in 1644 and formsthe Qing dynasty, are able to bring Mongolia under Manchu control in 1691 as Outer Mongolia when the Khalkha Mongol nobles swores an oath of allegiance to the Manchu emperor. The Mongol rulers of Outer Mongolia enjoy considerable autonomy under the Manchus and all Chinese claims to Outer Mongolia following the establishment of the republic rest on this oath. Outer Mongolia is a Chinese province until 1911. 691-1911).

Mongolia regains independence in 1911 as a feudal theocratic state, since 1912 under Russian protectorate, but in 1919 China annexes the country. Mongolia regains independence again in 1921 as a constitutional monarchy, but at the same time Tannu Tuva secedes from Mongolia. Following Soviet military victories over White Russian forces in the early 1920s and the occupation of the Mongolian capital Urga in 1921, Moscow again becines the major outside influence on Mongolia. The Mongolian People's Republic is proclaimed in 1924.

Between 1925 and 1928 power is consolidated by the Mongol Ardyn Khuv'sgatt Nam (Mongolian Revolutionary People's Party, MAKN): Mongolia is a communist dictatorship led by the Mongolian Revolutionary People's Party. Main dictators are Horloogiyn Choybalsan (1939-1952), followed by Jumjaagiyn Cedenbal until 1984 and Jambyn Batmönh until 1990. He is succeeded by Gombojavyn Ochirbat in 1990. Until 1990 the Mongolian government is modeled on the Soviet system; only the communist party is officially permitted to function. The birth of perestroika in the USSR and the democracy movement in eastern Europe are mirrored in Mongolia.

In 1990 multi-party democracy becomes a fact in Mongolia. The first multi-party elections are held that year. The MAKN wins a majority in parliament. In 1992 the state is renamed into Mongolia. The post-communist remain the dominant political force. In 1993 the first direct presidential elections are held and former communist pesident Punsalmaagiyn Očirbat is now elected as the candidate of the democratic opposition. In 1996 the first non-communist government becomes a fact. The democratic governments of the Mongoliin Undešii Ardčilsan Nam (Mongolian National Democratic Party, MUAN) are led by Mendsayhany Enchsaikhan (1996-1998), Tsachiagiyn Elbegdorj (1988) and Janlaviin Narantsatsralt (1998-1999) and Rinchinnyamiyn Amarjargal (1999-2000). Očirbat is succeeded by MAKN candidate Natsagiyn Bagabandi in 1997. In 2000 the MAKN regains power and a government led by prime minister Nambaryn Enchbayar is formed. As a big surpise, the opposition wins the 2004 elections, resulting in a pat situation in parliament. This leads to the formation of a grand coalition government of the MAKN and the Ech Oron-Ardčilan (Motherland Democracty alliance) under prime minister Tsakhiagiun Elbegdorj of the Ardčilsan Nam (Democratic Party).