Burma's annexation ushered in a new period of economic growth. The economic nature of society also changed dramatically. The British began exploiting the rich soil of the land around the Irrawaddy delta and cleared away the dense mangrove forests.
How did Burma become a British colony?
Various portions of Burmese territories, including Arakan, Tenasserim were annexed by the British after their victory in the First Anglo-Burmese War; Lower Burma was annexed in 1852 after the Second Anglo-Burmese War. The annexed territories were designated the minor province (a Chief Commissionership), British Burma, of British India in 1862. [1]
What was the Burma Campaign?
The Burma campaign was a series of battles fought in the British colony of Burma. It was part of the South-East Asian theatre of World War II and primarily involved forces of the Allies; the British Empire and the Republic of China, with support from the United States.
What is the historical time period of Burma?
Historical time period. British rule in Burma lasted from 1824 to 1948, from the 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.
Why did the British give free entry to India to Burma?
The reason is that the British government has allowed free entry into Burma for veritable hordes of Indians, who, coming from a land where they were literally dying of hunger, work for next to nothing and are, as a result, fearsome rivals for the Burmese.
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Why did the British take Burma?
Like many regions that were not necessarily part of the historical empires of India, Burma was acquired by the British in order to protect their Indian empire. For similar reasons, Aden, Egypt, and other places came under British protection or control throughout the 19th century.
How did the British Imperialize Burma?
After three Anglo-Burma Wars (1825, 1852 and 1885) Burma was conquered and transformed into a British colony. Burma became an official colony on January 1, 1886. The British ruled Burma as a part of India from 1919 until 1937. In 1937, Burma was made a crown colony of Britain.
Which country was most exploited by British?
IndiaBy the end of the 19th Century, India was Britain's biggest cash-cow, the world's biggest purchaser of British exports and the source of highly paid employment for British civil servants - all at India's own expense. We literally paid for our own oppression.
What was Burma called before the British?
The official English name was changed by the country's government from the "Union of Burma" to the "Union of Myanmar" in 1989, and still later to the "Republic of the Union of Myanmar".
When did British annex Burma?
That action provoked British forces to strike. The annexation of Upper Burma was announced on Jan. 1, 1886, ending the Konbaung dynasty and Burmese independence. The Third Anglo-Burmese War formally ended before it had even developed, but resistance to British rule continued for another four years.
What advantage did the British gain by annexing lower Burma?
Explanation: The strategic position of Burma in the trade routs between India and china came as an advantage to the British since they could now control the trade. Burma had a lot of Indian traders passing through it, due to this fact, there were a lot of goods such as spices benefited.
When did Myanmar gain British independence?
On 4 January 1948 at 4.20 am, the nation became an independent republic, named the Union of Burma in which the time was chosen for its auspiciousness by an astrologer, with Sao Shwe Thaik as its first President and U Nu as its first Prime Minister.
Who led the Burma Independence Army?
The Burma Independence Army (BIA), headed by Aung San and backed by Japan, was provided with an opportunity to drive out the British with the outbreak of World War II, which marked the beginnings of ongoing tensions, as minority ethnic groups fought against the BIA and Japanese alongside the British. The successful expulsion of British Forces resulted in an agreement between General Aung San and British Prime Minister at the time, Clement Attlee that united the Frontier Areas with Ministerial Burma, opposed by ethnic nationality leaders.
What were the two systems of administration in Burma?
Following the absorption of Burma into the British empire, the territories that had previously been ruled by various groups were divided into the two systems of administration; ‘Ministerial Burma’, and the ‘Frontier Areas’ whichmaintained autonomous rule under traditional rulers, whilst the former was dominated by the Burman majority. This led to varying degrees of development, dividing the groups and exacerbating cultural differences – contributing to contemporary relations between the Burman and ethnic nationalities. Additionally, resentment towards Rohingya Muslims originated during the period of colonialism, as Bengali Muslims were encouraged to the region as a source of cheap labour for the British Empire.
What is the common goal of EAOs in Burma?
EAOs operating in Burma mostly share the common goal of self-determination, aiming for the establishment of democracy and a degree of autonomy against a government that has been headed by military figures.
How many Rohingya people have been forced to flee Bangladesh?
The report follows the mass exodus of Rohingya people since August last year, which has forced at least 900,000 people to seek refuge in Bangladesh. Arson in a Rohingya village in Northern Rakhine State. But the discrimination of groups based on religious and ethnic factors is not a new trend. The significance of the persecution ...
What are the atrocities against Rohingya?
The atrocities against the Rohingya are often experienced by numerous other non-Buddhist groups, such as the majority Christian Kachin and Shan, whose freedom to express their belief in a country that is majority Buddhist is often repressed.
What is the significance of the persecution of the Rohingya?
The significance of the persecution of the Rohingya stems from their exclusion from the country’s 1982 citizenship law that identified 135 ethnic groups in Burma , however, this is not the only contributing factor. The atrocities against the Rohingya are often experienced by numerous other non-Buddhist groups, such as the majority Christian Kachin ...
What was the coup in Burma?
The military coup in 1962 put General Ne at the head of a single party state with a goal of a united, socialist Burma that isolated the country from the outside world, and began the counter-insurgency campaign in rural areas, against the numerous EAOs. 1988 witnessed hundreds of thousands of demonstrators, calling for a transition to democracy, and allowed for the emergence of Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of General Aung San, who campaigned for a democratic Burmese government. However, amid fears relating to Daw Suu Kyi’s growing popularity, the ruling dictatorship put the National League for Democracy (NLD) under house arrest, where she would remain for a total of 15 years in the period 1989-2010.
What war was Burma in?
Series of battles fought during World War II. For the British non-governmental organisation, see Burma Campaign UK. Burma campaign. Part of the Pacific War during World War II. Sikh soldiers of the 7th Indian Infantry Division at an observation post in the Ngakyedauk Pass, February 1944. Date.
Why did the Chinese retreat from Burma?
Due to lack of communication, when the British retreated from Burma, almost none of the Chinese knew about the retreat. Realising that they could not win without British support, some of the X Force committed by Chiang Kai-shek made a hasty and disorganised retreat to India, where they were put under the command of the American General Joseph Stilwell. After recuperating they were re-equipped and retrained by American instructors. The rest of the Chinese troops tried to return to Yunnan through remote mountainous forests and of these, at least half died.
What was the name of the island that the British fought in?
Ramree Island. Tanlwe Chaung. Dracula. Elephant Point. Sittang Bend. The Burma campaign was a series of battles fought in the British colony of Burma. It was part of the South-East Asian theatre of World War II and primarily involved forces of the Allies; the British Empire and the Republic of China, with support from the United States.
Why did the XV Corps attack Rangoon?
The original conception of the plan to re-take Burma had envisaged XV Corps making an amphibious assault on Rangoon well before Fourteenth Army reached the capital, in order to ease supply problems. This operation, codenamed Operation Dracula, was postponed several times as the necessary landing craft were retained in Europe and finally dropped in favour of an attack on Phuket Island, off the west coast of Thailand.
What were the main objectives of the Japanese in Burma?
Japanese objectives in Burma were initially limited to the capture of Rangoon (now known as Yangon), the capital and principal seaport. This would close the overland supply line to China and provide a strategic bulwark to defend Japanese gains in British Malaya and the Dutch East Indies. The Japanese Fifteenth Army under Lieutenant General Shōjirō Iida, initially consisting of only two infantry divisions, moved into northern Thailand (which had signed a treaty of friendship with Japan), and launched an attack over jungle-clad mountain ranges into the southern Burmese province of Tenasserim (now Tanintharyi Region) in January 1942.
Why was it important to capture Rangoon?
Though the Allied force had advanced successfully into central Burma, it was vital to capture the port of Rangoon before the monsoon to avoid a logistics crisis. In the spring of 1945, the other factor in the race for Rangoon was the years of preparation by the liaison organisation, Force 136, which resulted in a national uprising within Burma and the defection of the entire Burma National Army to the allied side. In addition to the allied advance, the Japanese now faced open rebellion behind their lines.
Why was Rangoon evacuated?
The loss of two brigades of 17th Indian Division meant that Rangoon could not be defended. General Archibald Wavell, the commander-in-chief of the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command, nevertheless ordered Rangoon to be held as he was expecting substantial reinforcements from the Middle East. Although some units arrived, counterattacks failed and the new commander of Burma Army (General Harold Alexander ), ordered the city to be evacuated on 7 March after its port and oil refinery had been destroyed. The remnants of Burma Army broke out to the north, narrowly escaping encirclement.
When did Burma become a British colony?
These stunning photos capture what life was like in Burma under British Rule more than a century ago. Burma, which became Myanmar in 1989, was a British colony from 1824 until 1948 when the country was granted independence after the turbulence of the Second World War.
When did Britain take over Myanmar?
Britain fought three wars against the Burmese, gaining various parts of the country, before finally occupying all the area of present-day Myanmar on 1 January 1886.
How many people died in the first Burmese war?
The First Anglo-Burmese War was the longest and the most expensive war in the history of British India. Around 15,000 European and Indian soldiers died, together with an unknown number of Burmese army and civilian casualties.
Why is Burma called the Scottish colony?
Burma is sometimes referred to as 'the Scottish Colony', because of the significant role played by Scotsmen in colonising and running the country, one of the most notable being Sir James Scott.
What is the national religion of Burma?
Young Burmese join older worshippers in a morning prayer. Buddhism is the national religion in Burma, now Myanmar, and these photos show how important the religion was to the people in 1900
When did Burma become a country?
Burma, which became Myanmar in 1989 , was a British colony from 1824-1948 when it was made independent. Images taken by German photographer Adolphe Philip Klier in around 1900 look at Burmese life under Britain. They show average Burmese citizens going about their daily life as well as the influences of British life.
Who took the pictures of Burma?
The remarkable images, taken by German photographer Adolphe Philip Klier at the start of the 20th Century, give a fascinating insight into Burma and how its people lived at the turn of the 19th Century. An enraptured audience enjoy a puppet show in Burma.
Why did the British allow free entry into Burma?
The reason is that the British government has allowed free entry into Burma for veritable hordes of Indians, who, coming from a land where they were literally dying of hunger, work for next to nothing and are, as a result, fearsome rivals for the Burmese.
What religion is Burmese?
The Burmese are Buddhists; the tribesmen worship various pagan gods.
Why is the government of all the Indian provinces under the control of the British Empire despotic?
The government of all the Indian provinces under the control of the British Empire is of necessity despotic, because only the threat of force can subdue a population of several million subjects. But this despotism is latent. It hides behind a mask of democracy.
What is the maxim of the English in governing an oriental race?
The great maxim of the English in governing an oriental race is ‘never get something done by a European when an Oriental can do it’ . In other words, supreme power remains with the British authorities, but the minor civil servants who have to carry out day-to-day administration and who must come into contact with the people in the course of their duties are recruited locally.
Where is rice grown in Burma?
Rice is grown everywhere in the basin of the Irawaddy, which flows through Burma from north to south. In the south, in the huge delta where the Irawaddy brings down tons of alluvial mud every year, the soil is immensely fertile. The harvests, which are remarkable in both quality and quantity, enable Burma to export rice to India, Europe, ...
Is it profitable to examine the good and bad sides of British administration in Burma?
It will be much more profitable to examine the good and bad sides of British administration in Burma from an economic and a political standpoint.
Is Burma a country?
Burma lies between India and China. Ethnologically it belongs to Indo-China. It is three times the size of England and Wales, with a population of about fourteen million, of whom roughly nine million are Burmese.
Which two countries led the British forces back to Burma?
But as British forces gained the upper hand in peninsula Burma, Maha Bandoola and Uzana called off their offensive in the west and led their forces back over the Assamese ranges and the Arakan Yoma in treacherous monsoon weather.
Who led the British forces during the First Anglo-Burmese War?
Major-General Sir Archibald Campbell, who led British forces during the First Anglo-Burmese War. The confict would ultimately cost British India 15,000 soldiers and between £5 million and £13 million sterling – a huge sum for the time. (Wikimedia Commons)
What happened to Maha Bandoola?
On April 1, Maha Bandoola was killed by a British mortar shell while defending Danabyu, in the Irrawaddy Delta.
What were the major cities that the Burmese conquered in the early 1800s?
In the early 1800s, having met heavy resistance in Siam to the southeast and the Chinese Qing to the north (which had invaded in the 1760s), the Burmese pushed west, conquering Arakan, Manipur and Assam. When the Burmese sent a force to the Jaintia and Cachar districts in Assam it was the final straw for the powerful East India Company, which was to rule from its capital at Calcutta until 1858.
How much did the Treaty of Yandabo cost?
But it had also cost British India 15,000 soldiers and between £5 million and £13 million sterling – an astonishing sum for the time and a factor in the British government replacing the East India Company as the colonial administrator.
What was the effect of Maha Bandoola's decision to retake the Shwedagon?
His decision to launch a frontal assault to retake the Shwedagon was a disastrous failure and the Burmese army lost thousands of men.
How much money did the British demand for the Gulf of Martaban?
But then the British blocked the Gulf of Martaban and demanded one million rupees in reparations.
