History of Myanmar
Early Inhabitants:
Although archaeological evidence suggests that Burma had inhabitants as early as 11,000 BCE, the earliest inhabitants of recorded history are the Pyu, who entered from the northern portion of Myanmar and settling in the Irrawaddy Valley in 2nd century BCE, and went on to establish several city-states by the 4th century CE. From the east, the Mon migrated from the Haribhunjaya and Dvaravati Kingdoms around early 6th century to settle along the coastline further south along the Lower Burmese coastline by the early 9th century.
The Pagan Empire and the Toungoo Dynasty:
The nomadic Mranma (Burmans) of the Nanzhao Kingdom also entered the upper Irrawaddy Valley in the early 9th century, and went on to unite the Irrawaddy Valley and the surrounding areas for the first time, establishing the Pagan Empire (1044-1287). The Pagan Empire grew into a major power alongside the Khmer Empire in Southeast Asia.
However beginning in the 13th century, the Pagan Empire suffered from internal disorders as well as external difficulties against the Mons, Mongols, and Shans. In 1287, the Mongols invaded and left Pagan to be divided by several small kingdoms. In the latter half of the 16th century, the Toungoo Dynasty (1510-1752) reunified the country, though it also began to decline towards the mid-18th century and fell apart due to raids by Manipuri raids and internal rebellions.
The Last Empire and Western Colonialism:
The last Burmese empire was the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885) that rose to power with the decline of the Toungoo Dynasty. Facing China in the northeast and Siam in the southeast, the Konbaung Empire expanded towards the west, meeting borders with British India. British instigated rebellions along the border led to the First Anglo-Burmese War in 1824.
Ending in 1826 with victory to the British, the first Anglo-Burmese war turned out to be the longest and most expensive war in British Indian history. Burma was forced to concede western territories – a trend that continued with succeeding wars until all of Burma was annexed in 1885 with the conclusion of the Third Anglo-Burmese War. The last Burmese king Thibaw and his family were sent to exile in India.
New Leaders of the 20th Century:
Until the 20th century, Burma was dominated by Anglo-Burmese and migrants from India. At the turn of the century, a new generation of Burmese leaders rose from those who had been permitted to study law in London. A constitutional reform in the 1920s gave birth to a university and returned limited powers and autonomy.
The first university strike broke out in 1920 against the University Act that was believed to perpetuate colonial rule by limiting access to higher education. This led to a spread of protest against colonial education that is currently commemorated as National Day.
The 1930s saw the founding of the Dobama Asiayone (We Burmans Assocation), the members of which referred to themselves as Thakin, a term that meant “master” in Burmese, claiming that they were the true masters of Burma. In 1936 a second university students’ strike in response to the expulsion of Aung San and Ko Nu, the leaders of the Rangoon University Students Union that later joined the Thakin Movement. Protests and political tension within Burma rose until December 20, 1938, in which Ragoon University student Aung Kyaw was killed by British mounted police that charged Ragoon student protestors that were picketing the British Secretariat. Aung Kyaw became the first martyr, and is commemorated on the date of his death, called Bo Aung Kyaw Day.
Gaining Burmese Independence:
With the Japanese invasions and the global occupation with World War II, Burma was able to move towards its independence. Negotiations for Burmese independence were concluded with the Aung San-Attlee Agreement on January 27, 1947 in London. However, in July 1947, Aung San was assassinated by the machinations of his political rival, U Saw. Thus July 19 is commemorated as Martyrs’ Day. On January 4, 1948 Burma officially gained its independence under the socialist party.
The Rise of the Military Junta:
Experiencing internal conflicts and the difficult task of rebuilding after the disasters of World War II, a military coup in 1962 led to the formation of a one-party system under the newly formed Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) led by Ne Win.
On August 8, 1988 protest and demonstrations broke out throughout the country, triggered by brutal police repression of student-led protest in earlier March and June. The country on the verge of a revolution, another military coup known as the 8888 Uprising, brought in a martial law under the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) with General Saw Maung as chairman and prime minister.
In 1989, the military government announced Myanmar as Burma’s new name. As a constituent assembly was called in to revise the 1974 Constitution of the BSPP, there was a multiparty election held in May 1990 with a sweeping victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD). However, the military refused to let the constituents convene, instead placing the leaders of the NLD under house arrest. Although these constituents were allowed to convene in 1993, the NLD was unable to produce a constitution with the interference of the military government and the assembly was dismissed in 1996.
The SLORC was replaced by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), although it was a mere change of title. In 1997 the United States intensified sanctions against Myanmar in 1997due to continued human rights violations, with the European Union following in 2000.
Current Myanmar:
Newly elected President U Htin Kyaw took oath of office in March 2016.
Although archaeological evidence suggests that Burma had inhabitants as early as 11,000 BCE, the earliest inhabitants of recorded history are the Pyu, who entered from the northern portion of Myanmar and settling in the Irrawaddy Valley in 2nd century BCE, and went on to establish several city-states by the 4th century CE. From the east, the Mon migrated from the Haribhunjaya and Dvaravati Kingdoms around early 6th century to settle along the coastline further south along the Lower Burmese coastline by the early 9th century.
The Pagan Empire and the Toungoo Dynasty:
The nomadic Mranma (Burmans) of the Nanzhao Kingdom also entered the upper Irrawaddy Valley in the early 9th century, and went on to unite the Irrawaddy Valley and the surrounding areas for the first time, establishing the Pagan Empire (1044-1287). The Pagan Empire grew into a major power alongside the Khmer Empire in Southeast Asia.
However beginning in the 13th century, the Pagan Empire suffered from internal disorders as well as external difficulties against the Mons, Mongols, and Shans. In 1287, the Mongols invaded and left Pagan to be divided by several small kingdoms. In the latter half of the 16th century, the Toungoo Dynasty (1510-1752) reunified the country, though it also began to decline towards the mid-18th century and fell apart due to raids by Manipuri raids and internal rebellions.
The Last Empire and Western Colonialism:
The last Burmese empire was the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885) that rose to power with the decline of the Toungoo Dynasty. Facing China in the northeast and Siam in the southeast, the Konbaung Empire expanded towards the west, meeting borders with British India. British instigated rebellions along the border led to the First Anglo-Burmese War in 1824.
Ending in 1826 with victory to the British, the first Anglo-Burmese war turned out to be the longest and most expensive war in British Indian history. Burma was forced to concede western territories – a trend that continued with succeeding wars until all of Burma was annexed in 1885 with the conclusion of the Third Anglo-Burmese War. The last Burmese king Thibaw and his family were sent to exile in India.
New Leaders of the 20th Century:
Until the 20th century, Burma was dominated by Anglo-Burmese and migrants from India. At the turn of the century, a new generation of Burmese leaders rose from those who had been permitted to study law in London. A constitutional reform in the 1920s gave birth to a university and returned limited powers and autonomy.
The first university strike broke out in 1920 against the University Act that was believed to perpetuate colonial rule by limiting access to higher education. This led to a spread of protest against colonial education that is currently commemorated as National Day.
The 1930s saw the founding of the Dobama Asiayone (We Burmans Assocation), the members of which referred to themselves as Thakin, a term that meant “master” in Burmese, claiming that they were the true masters of Burma. In 1936 a second university students’ strike in response to the expulsion of Aung San and Ko Nu, the leaders of the Rangoon University Students Union that later joined the Thakin Movement. Protests and political tension within Burma rose until December 20, 1938, in which Ragoon University student Aung Kyaw was killed by British mounted police that charged Ragoon student protestors that were picketing the British Secretariat. Aung Kyaw became the first martyr, and is commemorated on the date of his death, called Bo Aung Kyaw Day.
Gaining Burmese Independence:
With the Japanese invasions and the global occupation with World War II, Burma was able to move towards its independence. Negotiations for Burmese independence were concluded with the Aung San-Attlee Agreement on January 27, 1947 in London. However, in July 1947, Aung San was assassinated by the machinations of his political rival, U Saw. Thus July 19 is commemorated as Martyrs’ Day. On January 4, 1948 Burma officially gained its independence under the socialist party.
The Rise of the Military Junta:
Experiencing internal conflicts and the difficult task of rebuilding after the disasters of World War II, a military coup in 1962 led to the formation of a one-party system under the newly formed Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) led by Ne Win.
On August 8, 1988 protest and demonstrations broke out throughout the country, triggered by brutal police repression of student-led protest in earlier March and June. The country on the verge of a revolution, another military coup known as the 8888 Uprising, brought in a martial law under the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) with General Saw Maung as chairman and prime minister.
In 1989, the military government announced Myanmar as Burma’s new name. As a constituent assembly was called in to revise the 1974 Constitution of the BSPP, there was a multiparty election held in May 1990 with a sweeping victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD). However, the military refused to let the constituents convene, instead placing the leaders of the NLD under house arrest. Although these constituents were allowed to convene in 1993, the NLD was unable to produce a constitution with the interference of the military government and the assembly was dismissed in 1996.
The SLORC was replaced by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), although it was a mere change of title. In 1997 the United States intensified sanctions against Myanmar in 1997due to continued human rights violations, with the European Union following in 2000.
Current Myanmar:
Newly elected President U Htin Kyaw took oath of office in March 2016.