1958 First (temporary) coup d’état by the military. Ms Suu Kyi was again placed under house arrest at her home in capital Rangoon, now known as Yangon. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. The history of Burma begins with several city-states inhabited by the Pyu People along the Irrawaddy River from c. 200 BCE. After a brief Japanese occupation, Myanmar was reconquered by the Allies and granted independence in 1948. Military leader Ne Win, who staged the coup, ruled the country for the coming years. Meanwhile, a division of Chinese Nationalist troops occupied parts of the Shan Plateau after their defeat by the Chinese communists in 1949. History of Myanmar’s Independence On January 4, 1948, Myanmar succeed to get independence from Britain. Civil war erupted between minority groups after independence from British colonial rule in 1948; on the fringes of the nation, the unrest continues today. Myanmar probably has about 55.5 million people, although census figures are considered unreliable. The Long History of Military Rule in Myanmar. However, the military-backed USDP alleged irregularities in the vote, demanding the military to intervene. Because of the general support given to Nationalist China (Taiwan) by the United States, Burma stopped accepting U.S. aid and rejected all other foreign aid. Ne Win had promised a new constitution, and in September 1971 representatives of the party’s central committee, of the country’s various ethnic groups, and of other interest groups were appointed to draft a document. Myanmar saw decades of military rule before Aung San Suu Kyi became the head of the government in 2015, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile, Aung San Suu Kyi is under house arrest once again, as the military stages a coup. Independence Day is a major celebration in Myanmar which allows the Burmese individuals to reflect on their nation’s history and independence! Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. After four decades, insurgency had become a way of life. Following a coup d'état in 1962, it became a military dictatorship under the Burma Socialist Programme Party. From this the spirit of Myanmar’s nationalism rose. Communist and ethnic insurgencies had expanded in the eastern and northern parts of the country throughout the BSPP period. History may seem to be repeating, but the Myanmar of 2021 is crucially different from the country’s past experiences with military rule. now called Yangon) being an … They subsequently disbanded the BIA and formed a smaller Burma Defense Army, with Aung San still as commander. A foreign policy of neutrality was decided upon, but, because of internal strife, no peace resulted. Since independence The unsettled early years, 1948–62. The Japanese advanced into Burma and by the end of 1942 had occupied the country. 1531 - Toungoo dynasty, with Portuguese help, reunites country as Burma. LS. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The elections were called fraudulent by the United Nations and many western countries. The military government called for elections in which Ms Suu Kyi’s party contested and won a landslide victory. Violent clashes had been ongoing in the area for over a year. The communists were the first insurgents, followed by some of Aung San’s veterans and then the Karen, the only ethnic minority on the plains. For the first time, Ms Suu Kyi held a public office after winning a by-election seat. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? The Chin & Kachin Hills and the Salween District (Karen State) are ruled indirectly by the British as Frontier Areas. The February 1 coup in Myanmar … In May 1980 Ne Win offered full amnesty to all political insurgents inside or outside Burma who reported to authorities within a 90-day period. Maha Bandula Park, which houses the monument, the symbol of Myanmar’s sovereignty, was previously called Fytche Square after the Chief Commissioner of the British Crown Colony of Burma at … The NLD filed a complaint with the police, forcing the government to launch an investigation. Box 1. British rule in Burma lasted from 1824 to 1948, from the successive three Anglo-Burmese wars through the creation of Burma as a Province of British India to the establishment of an independently administered colony, and finally independence. She won the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990, and the Nobel Peace Prize one year later in 1991. That same year, the constitution was approved by the people with 92 per cent voting in its favour. On 26 January, army military spokesperson Zaw Min Tun warned the army will “take action” their concerns were not addressed, hinting at staging a coup. The history of Myanmar, formerly called Burma, began with the Pagan Kingdom in 849. Armed resistance along traditional lines followed British annexation in l886. Soon after its statement of protecting the constitution, Myanmar’s military staged a coup and took control of the country once again. Here’s a timeline of the key events in Myanmar’s power tussle: The nation then known as Burma gained independence from British rule on 4 January and became an independent republic. The British flag being lowered for the last time in Burma. Most notable among those accepting was U Nu, who, after having gone into exile in India in 1969, returned to enter a Buddhist monastery. The southeast Asian nation is no stranger to military rule which previously lasted for over four decades. ... Post-war uncertainty remained when political infighting and assassinations fostered chaos in Myanmar. During World War II, Burma was a key battleground; the 800-mile Burma Road was the Allies' vital supply line to China. Burma’s Struggle for Autonomy In June 1945, Burmese soldiers fought with the British to expel Japanese invaders from Burma during World War II. Most insurgents, however, chose to continue opposing the government, and repeated attempts by government troops to suppress them met with only limited success. WWII Leads to Independence. GDP in the rest of Asia grew in multiples, Myanmar stagnated, barely growing at all 2. Ms Suu Kyi was released from house arrest six days after the elections in November. Aung San Suu Kyi is his only daughter and youngest child. In April 1972 Ne Win and other members of the Revolutionary Council retired from the army, but they retained their positions of power in the BSPP. They also declared an emergency for one year, citing the government’s failure to act against its claims of voter fraud. A military-controlled one-party (Burma Socialist Programme Party [BSPP]) system was established. Myanmar coup timeline: How did we get here? Elections took place after five years when Ms Suu Kyi’s NLD again secured an outright majority with more votes than before, giving Ms Suu Kyi a second term as state councillor. Sectarian violence erupted against the Rohingya Muslim population in the area which was termed  “ethnic cleansing” by UN high commissioner for human rights. Chief among these were the active encouragement of foreign investment and a considerable liberalization of foreign trade. The election was held but Ms Suu Kyi’s NLD, which wasn’t allowed to take power in 1990, did not participate. Aung San Suu Kyi returned to Myanmar during the pro-democracy protests and emerged as a national icon. A foreign policy of neutrality was decided upon, but, because of internal strife, no peace resulted. By June the Burmese had decided to leave the British Commonwealth of Nations. Old city states gave way to a more unified administration, which reached it’s apogee during the reign of king Anawrahta (or Aniruddha) who successfully unified all of Burma by 1057. Ms Suu Kyi later defended Myanmar against genocide charges brought at the Hague. In Myanmar: World War II and after …announced the formation of the Burma Independence Army (BIA). In 1989 the country’s official English name, which it had held since 1885, was changed from the Union of Burma to the Union of Myanmar; in the Burmese language the country has been known as Myanma (or, more precisely, Mranma Prañ) since the 13th century. Why is the military taking control in Myanmar. Amid rumours of a military takeover, U Nu invited the army chief of staff, Ne Win—who had been a Thakin, one of the Thirty Comrades, and Aung San’s second in command—to assume the premiership. With its economy shattered and its towns and villages destroyed during the war, Burma needed peace. However, she took over as the head of the state with a newly formed role of state councillor, a position with the similar powers of a prime minister. Myanmar’s military has a long history of involvement in the country’s politics. She founded her party, the National League for Democracy, in 1988. The coup comes after allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 elections as the ruling NLD secured a landslide victory. It was one of the first countries to recognize Israel, as well as the People’s Republic of China. In March 1962, however, Ne Win led a military coup and arrested U Nu, the chief justice, and several cabinet ministers. Rance formed a new cabinet, including Aung San, and discussions for a peaceful transfer of power began. After the establishment of the new political organization, Burma’s economy grew steadily at a moderate pace. The party formed the government for the first time, however, Ms Suu Kyi was constitutionally barred from becoming the prime minister because her husband and both sons were British. Myanmar - Independence. Independence and Military Rule. 1755 - Alaungpaya founds the Konbaung dynasty. Rangoon, Burma.The formal handing over ceremony in Rangoon, Burmese celebrating independence. According to the UN, the campaign of mass killing, rape, and arson was carried out with “genocidal intent”, which Myanmar denied. Burma emerges By the ninth century a group of people from the north, the Bamar, gained prominence and founded the powerful kingdom of Pagan (today’s Bagan). These were concluded in London in January 1947, when the British agreed to Burma’s independence. With its economy shattered and its towns and villages destroyed during the war, Burma needed peace. New content will be added above the current area of focus upon selection A constitutional government was formed and politician U Nu was nominated as the first prime minister of independent Myanmar. Burmese refugees total more than 300,000 people in neighboring Thailand, India, Bangladesh, and Malaysia . The first fourteen years of post-independence Burma were marked by several communist and ethnic-based insurgencies. The military’s involvement in politics also remained high even after it began ceding power a little over a decade ago. A referendum to ratify the new constitution was held in December 1973, with more than 90 percent of eligible voters signifying approval, and the constitution was promulgated in January 1974. 1948 The nation then known as Burma gained independence from British rule on 4 January and became an independent republic. A series of economic reforms proposed in 1987–88 were intended to reverse the socialist policies enacted in the early 1960s. A notable policy change was a partial relaxation of the ban on foreign financial aid, and considerable funding was received from the Asian Development Bank and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (part of the World Bank), as well as from Japan. After several protests, the military framed a constitution and carried out a referendum; soon after, Cyclone Nargis wreaked havoc in the country, leaving thousands dead. Rohingya refugees gather in 'no man's land’ behind Myanmar's border. However, the official figures only attribute a figure of 350 deaths. Ms Suu Kyi was released from house arrest in 1995. During World War II, Burma was a key battleground; the 800-mile Burma Road was the Allies' vital supply line to China. The independence declaration, excerpts from addresses of Myanmar’s independence hero General Aung San, and nine independence oaths including the pledge for equality were carved on the monument. However, a year before, Aung San, who led the movement of independence, was assassinated. 1947 Bogyoke Aung San assassinated. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. History of Myanmar Early Myanmar. By 1958 Burma was well on the road to internal peace and economic recovery, but the ruling AFPFL had become divided by personal quarrels between U Nu (formerly called Thakin Nu) and his closest associates. At the United Nations, Burma endeavoured to show impartiality. Although each kingdom has constantly been at war with their neighbors, it was the largest South East Asian Empire during the 16th century under the Sadest Dynasty. However, according to reports, no action was taken. A year later, her convoy was attacked by 200 men, who attacked her car with metal batons, chains, stones and other weapons, breaking the rear window and doors. The Japanese invaded the country in Dec. 1941, and by May 1942, had occupied most of it, cutting off the Burma Road. 1948 Independence. Land had been nationalized under U Nu’s administration, and much of the country’s commerce and industry was nationalized under Ne Win. A succession of major ethnic groups have held sway down the ages across the territory that now makes up Myanmar, with the Bamar only coming into prominence in the 11th century. … The ethnic minority community had been facing persecution for years. Myanmar is an exporter of both migrant workers (with several million in Thailand alone), and of refugees. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. While humans lived in Myanmar thousands of years ago, it wasn’t until the 2 nd century BCE that organized city-states began to emerge. Myanmar after falling into the hands of the British often put up a fight against the British government. The other minorities—Chin, Kachin, and Shan—who had been ruled separately by the British but who had enthusiastically joined the union, stood firm in support of the government. Ms Suu Kyi, who established herself as an outspoken critic of the junta, was put under house arrest for the first time as elections approached. The thousand year line of Burmese monarchy concluded with the Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1885. Supporters of the Myanmar military in Yangon (AP) – January 4 1948: The country then known as Burma gains independence from British colonial rule. The situation worsened in August 2017, when over five million Rohingyas fled Myanmar to reach neighbouring countries like Bangladesh. On Jan. 4, 1948, Burma ended 60 years of colonial rule when it officially declared independence from Britain. Myanmar, also called Burma, country, located in the western portion of mainland Southeast Asia. The military also retained significant power in the government. The Japanese decided that having a political uprising in Burma would be beneficial to them, so alongside Ba Maw and Aung San, worked to create the Burma Defence Army (BDA) out of the BIA, with promises of independence after the war. History of Myanmar Independence Day In 1886, Myanmar (then called Burma) came under British control, with Rangoon (the capital. Myanmar protestors shout anti-military slogans as they display a portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi during a demonstration to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1988 pro-democracy revolution. Since independence in 1948, Myanmar has been a nexus for overlapping conflicts fought between … Ms Suu Kyi was again lodged in house arrest, which the government claimed was for her own safety. The demise of the monarchy and the monkhood, the twin pillars of the society of Myanmar, was perhaps the most devastating aspect of the colonial period. These measures did not improve the economy, however, particularly as investment in agriculture generally was sacrificed in favour of industrial growth, and as the military replaced civilians in key administrative positions. {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}. By the early 1980s, however, growth increasingly was being hindered by mounting trade deficits caused largely by falling commodity export prices, the increasing costs of imports, and rising external debt payments. He justified his actions as a means of keeping the union from disintegrating. Ultimately, Ne Win implemented a type of command economy—a system whereby the means of production are publicly owned and economic activity is controlled by the government—that was in some ways reminiscent of the redistributive economy of the monarchy. Over 40 parties contested the elections and the pro-junta USDP declared victory. Many refused to accept the British victory and resorted to guerrilla warfare against the British army of occupation. Now, Ms Suu Kyi has been put under house arrest once again, along with other senior government officials detained during the series of early morning raids. However, the claims of voter fraud were rejected by the election commission which said there was no proof of fraud or rigging. The ethnic origins of modern Myanmar (known historically as Burma) ... WWII Leads to Independence . But before that, Myanmar was one of the British colonies. The country is now back under military rule after a decade, tanks and soldiers are positioned in major cities, and leaders have urged the people to reject the coup. In May 1990, free elections were held and the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by … On Jan. 4, 1948, Burma (now officially known as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar) … Democracy was first suspended in the country following a coup in 1962, marking the beginning of the four decade long direct military rule. Until that time, she had spent a long part of a 21 year period in detention. This special holiday holds a great significance in the history of Myanmar, as it marks the date in 1948 when Myanmar declared its independence from Britain. Pro-democracy protests against the junta, also known as “8888 Uprising”, peaked following years of economic stagnation and were met with a bloody military crackdown which led to thousands of deaths, according to rights groups. Myanmar’s military seized power from the democratically elected government yesterday, declaring a state of emergency and detaining leader Aung San Suu Kyi and several of her allies. Ne Win’s stated purpose was to make Burma a truly socialist state. Martial law was declared in 1989 and Burma was renamed Myanmar. Aung San Suu Kyi detained as her party denounces Myanmar ‘coup’, A decade after junta's end, Myanmar military back in charge. It became apparent to the BDA and Aung San that independence was never really going to happen, and Ba Maw had been deceived. She officially became the leader of the opposition party as her party secured 43 of the 45 contested seats. She also began campaigning for reforms in the constitution to include basic rights of the citizens and demanded an independent judiciary. Important dates in Myanmar's post-independence history 1826-1947 Colonial period. Suspending the 1947 constitution, which had been in effect since independence, he ruled the country with a Revolutionary Council consisting of senior military officers. Ms Suu Kyi was being pitched as a prime ministerial candidate by some as her party secured 80 per cent of the seats, but the government could never be formed as the military government nullified the results and refused to concede, resulting in a global outcry. Myanmar’s first openly held general elections took place in November 2015 where Ms Suu Kyi’s NLD won by a landslide victory, securing a majority in both houses. Elections to the People’s Assembly (Pyithu Hluttaw)—the supreme legislative, executive, and judicial authority—and to local People’s Councils were held early in 1974; the new government took office in March with Ne Win as president. A brutal military crackdown followed in Rakhine after an insurgent attack left several dead. Survivors stand on houses destroyed by Cyclone Nargis in Haing Gyi island in 2008. This move sometimes has been called a “constitutional coup.” Ne Win established internal security, stabilized the military situation, and prepared the country for general elections, which took place in February 1960. The Japanese invaded the country in Dec. 1941, and by May 1942, had occupied most of it, cutting off the Burma Road. History . U Nu was returned to office with an absolute majority. This was the first time the people of Myanmar had voted since 1990, marking the beginning of the process of democratisation.