The History of Myanmar formally known as Burma.
Myanmar (Burma)
Myanmar is a country slightly smaller than the state of Texas that occupies the Thailand/Cambodia portion of the Indochinese peninsula. Just above lies China northwest of them, and India to the northeast. They are neighbors with Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand. They are in close proximity of interconnecting canals which provides access to a network of nine river mouths. Their government consist of a military regime.
Myanmar is historically known as Buram, and their ethnic origins are a mixture of Indo-Aryans who came to the area around 700 B.C. During the 13th century the Mongolian invaders infiltrated the region and Anawrahta (1044-1077) was the first leader to unify Myanmar.
In 1612, Burma, as it was known at the time, resisted efforts from the British, Dutch, and Portuguese traders to establish trade posts. A war soon began between 1824-1826 along with 2 subsequent wars, thus allowing the British East India Company to expand in Burma and by 1886 it was later annexed to India, becoming a separate colony in 1937.
During World War II Burma was a vital supply line to China and in December 1941 was invaded and Occupied by Japan. Burma became independent on January 4th of 1948 and in 1962 they were again oppressed by political control. After 25 years of oppression and economic hardship a mass demonstration was led by the Burmese people who were brutally squashed by the State Law and Order Council and in 1989 the military government changed the name to Myanmar which is still not recognized by the U.S. State Department today, nor is the military regime that represents it.
The military government continues to maintain tight control of Myanmar and in 1990 when elections were held, the opposition National League for Democracy won by a landslide, but SLORC refuses to recognize the election results, not surprising.
While the tight gripped militant government has managed to maintain control of Myanmar since 1988, they have not been as successful in subduing an opposition force in the south. In 2004 both the military governments and the insurgents agreed to end fighting stopping short of signing a cease-fire.
With all the political unrest, the economy has not surprisingly been in a state of collapse with the exception of the junta-controlled heroin trade. The Universities sadly have remained closed and the rampant spread of AIDS is an alarming epidemic.
The political unrest has now spread to the innocent people of Myanmar and a series of bomb attacks occurred in May of 2005 killing a dozen or so people and wounding more than 100 in Rangoon. The military government, in typical tyrannical control, tried to cast blame on the opposition movements, however the ethnic rebel groups have denied any involvement.
Perhaps in a response to fear, or signs of a struggle to continue their grip on Myanmar, the military government secretly moved their government to an isolated location in a mountain compound. This was a startling and surprising move, to which the government responded was necessary due to “changed circumstances”. The contented that with the wake of Myanmar trying to establish themselves as a modern day nation, a more centrally located government was necessary.
January of 2006 showed promise when more than 1000 delegates met to begin drafting a constitution toward a democratic Myanmar. Nearly a month later they adjourned with no success and in Sept. 2007 representatives of the convention released a drafted constitution identifying the military as continued power limiting the rights of many and excluding opposing parties from the convention and involvement with the draft.
The military crackdowns were ill-received and gained attention as well as world criticism. Buddhist monks began to join the protesters after peaceful demonstrations were met with force by government troops. The monks gained recognition and international sympathy. To make matters worse a devastating cyclone ravaged the area, killing thousands of people and leaving millions homeless. Aid was eventually accepted by the militant government only to be intercepted and distributed by them. The government only accepted about 10% of the Aid offered and denied visas for relief workers, crippling and leaving the state vulnerable to the spread of death and disease.
All hope is not lost. Suu Kyi was freed shortly after the democratic elections of 2010. While the majority of the country believed them to be rigged, they began a dramatic shift from authoritarian rule to diplomatic opportunities. In Jan. 2011 the countries first parliament in over 20 years convened and elected their prime minister Thein Sein as president. The military government disbanded. While the parliament is civilian largely in name, 60% of the seats were won by the military officials, and 25% were reserved for members of the former military. The National League for Democracy has dismissed the transition as a futile attempt to introduce change and they still control the power over Myanmar.
President Sein proved the NLD’s predictions false and has advanced in some shocking changes in the political and economic areas. He has managed to loosen the junta grip on the country, initiated talks with the NLD, and allowed them to have elected officials run in the elctions, has freed over 800 political prisoners, and signed a cease fire with Karen rebels. The U.S has also taken steps in light of these changes to change their relationship with the once isolated country and in 2012 restored diplomatic relations with Myanmar lifting sanctions that allowed the US to begin doing business with Myanmar.
The countries government is slowly peeling away its past militant governing and in 2012 they did away with the country’s censorship of private publications. While they still imprison journalist for printing what they consider harmful but they are making progress. In answer to two years worth of social, political, and economic reform, the EU lifted that last of its trade embargo’s against Myanmar. President Obama made a visit to the country which is the first time a US president has been ever.