History
Burma (Myanmar) is a multi-ethnic state counting 50 million inhabitants (1970 = 27.5 million; 1994 = 45.5 million).
Officially, 135 ethnics and ethnical groups speaking 100 languages and dialects live in the country, 75 % of them in rural areas. The state's territory is some smaller than Texas (U.S.A.) but some bigger than Alberta (Canada), France or the Iberian peninsula. It has approximately twice the size of Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Italy or Poland and is bigger than Norway+Finland together. In other words it´s size is 60% of Southafrica or 3 times the territory of Victoria (Australia), of Sulawesi, of entire Korea or of England+Wales+Scotland or 10 times the territory of Sri Lanka, of Irland or the Netherlands+Belgium together.
With about 65 %, the Burmans represent the largest part of the population; coming from present-day South China, they have moved into the particularly fertile low lands and have set up their first kingdom there in 849 AD. The Buddhist population found by them in Southern Burma, the culturally highly developed Mon having immigrated in the course of the 5th century BC (a still existing minority group), has been largely assimilated or killed by the Burmans (last important genocide taking place in 1757 AD).
The second people are the Shan (11 %), followed by the Karen (7 %), the Kachin (6 %), the Chin and the Naga (3 %). There are further ethnical groups of considerable size: Rohingyas, Rakhine, Wa, Palaung, the tribes of Lolo (Lisu, Lahu, Muser, Akha, etc.) Miao and Yao. Due to historically caused migrations, the map of Northern Southeast Asia has become a real ethnical puzzle. The aforementioned ethnical groups are subdivisions of the mongolic race and are either part of the group of Mon-Khmer, Tibeto-Burmese or Sino-Thais. The Rohingyas are Bengalis. In addition, Indians and Chinese live in Burma.
Until 1990, the five separate state territories of Shan, Kachin, Chin, Karen and Kayah corresponded to 45 % of the entire country. Today, the non-Burman regions are subdivided into 7 states.
* In 830 AD, the Thais destroyed the empire of the Pyu, who had settled in Northern Burma for about 800 years. The Burmans migrated there from the Tibeto-Chinese region.
* In the 11th century, king Anoratha united the Burman tribal chiefs to form the 1st Burman empire, and conquered the mighty Mon empire. Enormous forced boom brought about by Mon slaves.
* 1287: End of the first Burman dynasty and devastation of the country by Mongol invasion.
Shan tribes invade the Northern part. Eventful battles for predominance among Burmans, Shan, and Mon from the 14th to 18th century.
* 1519: The Portuguese found a trading station on the coast.
* 1752: With French help the Mon make an end to the 2nd Burmese empire.
* King Alaungpaya reinstates the kingdom to form the 3rd Burmese empire and founds the last dynasty (1752-1885). Ten thousands of Mon are killed. Considerable expansion of the territory until 1784 (coming up to approx. present size of the country).
* Burmese conquests and British expansion policy from India result in three English-Burmese wars (1824-26, 1852-53. 1885-86) with loss of Burmese provinces. Mon and Karen rebels support the British and profit temporarily from the weakness of the Burmese.
* 1885/86: The entire Burmese empire is forcibly integrated into the British colony of India. Experiences made during the 1st World War and growing nationalist awareness coupled with rigorous school and university laws lead to protests, strikes, boycotts and rebellion against the British. Influence of Gandhi and rise of a politically active Buddhism help to terminate foreign rule. Foundation of intellectual student and Buddhist organizations working against colonialism.
* 1931: Resurrection against the British put down.
* 1935: Separation from the colony of British India, then autonomy.
* 1936: Election of Parliament. Burmese government retaining status as British colony.
* 1938: Pogrom against Indians and Muslims. Government overthrown.
* 1940/41: Government and several groups disagree as to whether to ally with the Japanese against the British and Americans. The British refuse approval of subsequent independence in case of Burmese support.
* 1941: Occupation by Japan and liberation from the British. Burmese nationalists assist in liberation and collaborate with Japanese occupying forces. Minorities fight with the British. Particularly bloody jungle war. 400.000 Indians flee to India.
1943: Official independence of Burma under Japanese occupation.
* 1945: Due to disappointment with Japanese, change of alliance and support of the allied invasion ("Hell of Burma") until Japanese capitulation. Decisive role played by U Aung San (father of present holder of Nobel Peace Prize) and his national army.
* 1947: Free elections and victory of the party alliance of General Aung San. During the elaboration of an independent constitution, Aung San, the Father of Independence, is murdered.
* 1948: Independence as Union of Burma. U Nu becomes first prime minister. The minorities are promised special rights by the new state, a promise which however is never honored (e.g. regarding own language, religion and partial autonomy). In-fighting parliamentary and military governments change until 1961. Strong communist guerrilla. Continuing civil war between central government and ethnic minorities with thousands of dead. Chief of general staff Ne Win comes out of these battles as strong man.
* 1949-1954: Political and military riots in Northern Burma by parts of Kuomintang troops having fled from Chinese communists.
* 1961: The former companion of Aung San and U Nu, the speaker and minister of information and chief delegate of Burma to the United Nations, U Thant, becomes General Secretary of the UN until 1971.
* 1962: Putsch of the army under general Ne Win with the aim of safeguarding the national unity in a period of increasing violence and efforts in favor of independence. Experiment of a Buddhist-socialist welfare state as "Burmese Way to Socialism".
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