Burma - Brief History

Burma was conquered by Britain in the 19th century. However relatively shortly afterwards The Union of Burma gained independence in 1948. The Burma Social Party held power for the next 26 years during which people were repressed and the economy suffered. In August 1988 thousands of people convened to demonstrate against the government and eventually on September 18th on the same year the army declared a coup. In the run up to the election the famous leader of the National League for Democracy Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested in July 1989. She was released in July 1995. She was placed in and out of house arrest over the next number of years and since 2003 has remained in detention. Since 1992 Bruma has been ruled by the State Peace and Development council under Senior General Than Shwe. The government has been heavily criticised for its human right violations.