How Burma Became Independent - Cold War DOCUMENTARY

Summary

This episode of 'The Cold War' explores Burma's (now Myanmar) complex neutrality during the Cold War, amidst global division and internal conflict. It details the struggle for independence from British rule, the formation of resistance groups like the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL), and the political maneuverings that led to independence in 1948. The narrative also touches on the challenges of ethnic diversity and the assassination of key leader Aung San, setting the stage for ongoing turmoil in the region.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Cold War was characterized by a division between East and West, but some countries like Burma (now Myanmar) aimed to remain neutral.
• 🏹 Burma's neutrality was driven by internal conflicts and insurgencies, which left the country reluctant to engage in external ideological struggles.
• 🏛️ The Japanese occupation of Burma during World War II and the subsequent puppet government led to the formation of resistance groups like the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL).
• 🛑 The British and the AFPFL had differing visions for post-war Burma, with the former favoring restoration of colonial rule and the latter seeking independence.
• 🔄 The political landscape of Burma was complex, with various ethnic groups like the Karens aspiring for independence and autonomy.
• 📜 The Panglong Agreement was a significant step towards defining the borders of modern Myanmar and granting autonomy to certain ethnic states.
• 🔫 The widespread availability of weapons and a politically mobilized population in post-war Burma contributed to ongoing instability and conflict.
• 🏢 The assassination of Aung San, a key figure in Burma's independence movement, highlighted the intense political rivalries and violence of the time.
• ⏳ The London Agreement and the subsequent independence of Burma were marked by both diplomatic achievements and the continuation of internal strife.
• 🏞️ Despite achieving independence, Burma faced ongoing challenges, setting the stage for a period of chaos and conflict under the Nu regime.

Q & A

Why did Burma attempt to remain neutral during the Cold War?

Burma, present day Myanmar, tried to remain neutral because they were already dealing with various internal conflicts and insurgencies, and they did not want to invite further trouble by aligning with either side of the Cold War.

What was the role of the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL) in Burma's history?

The AFPFL was a major player in post-war Burma, working with the British and other Allied forces to oust the Japanese. It was instrumental in securing Burmese independence, with General Aung San being a key figure in the organization.

How did the British and the Allied Land Forces of Southeast Asia (ALF-SEA) differ in their plans for post-war Burma?

The ALF-SEA viewed Burma as a stepping stone for launching offensives against the Japanese, while the British Civil Affairs Service (CAS[B]) focused on restoring colonial rule, showing favoritism towards ethnic minorities they considered loyal to the British.

What was the significance of the Panglong Agreement in 1947?

The Panglong Agreement, signed on February 12, 1947, promised full autonomy to the Shan states and other ethnic groups like the Chin and the Kachin, and defined the borders of modern Myanmar. It is still celebrated in Myanmar as Union Day.

Why did some ethnic minorities in Burma, such as the Karens, aspire to create independent states?

Ethnic minorities like the Karens aspired to create independent states because they did not see prospects for their people in a united Burma, and they faced challenges in defining a distinct homeland due to their mixed living situations with other ethnic groups.

What was the impact of General Aung San's assassination on Burma's path to independence?

General Aung San's assassination did not derail Burma's path to independence; instead, it seemed to accelerate the process. His death led to the swift approval of a new constitution and the decision to sever ties with Britain entirely.

Who was U Saw and why was he significant in the context of Burma's independence?

U Saw was a prominent Burmese political figure and a rival of General Aung San. He was significant because he organized and ordered the assassination of Aung San, which had a profound impact on Burma's political landscape during its struggle for independence.

What were the terms of the White Paper on Burma issued by the British government in 1945?

The White Paper outlined a three-stage independence program for Burma. It included a 3-year interim period with possible Burmese representation, followed by elections for a new government, the writing of a new constitution, and discussions about the control of the Frontier areas.

How did the British government's approach to the Frontier areas contribute to regional conflicts in Burma?

The British government's approach to include the ethnically diverse Frontier areas in the new Burmese state was controversial and a source of regional conflicts, as many of these areas sought their own independent states.

What were the conditions in Burma like after the return of the colonial government in 1945?

After the return of the colonial government in 1945, Burma was in chaos with no effective authority, rampant crime, and a deteriorating economy. This fueled discontent and animosity towards the colonial rulers.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 The Neutrality of Burma During the Cold War

This paragraph discusses how Burma, now known as Myanmar, chose to remain neutral during the Cold War, not aligning with either the East or the West. It highlights the internal struggles of the country, including political insurgencies and militant separatists, which made external entanglements undesirable. The narrative sets the stage for exploring Burma's complex path to independence and the ongoing conflicts that have shaped its modern history.

05:00

🏰 The Complexities of Post-War Burma

The second paragraph delves into the post-World War II era in Burma, detailing the power dynamics between the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL), the British Civil Affairs Service, and the Allied Land Forces of Southeast Asia. It outlines the British White Paper's three-stage plan for Burmese independence and the challenges faced by the colonial government upon its return. The paragraph also describes the nationwide strikes that led to the formation of a new government with AFPFL representatives, signaling the beginning of the end for British rule in Burma.

10:03

📜 The Road to Independence and Its Aftermath

This paragraph focuses on the final steps towards Burmese independence, including the London Agreement and the Panglong Agreement, which addressed the inclusion of various ethnic states into the new nation. It discusses the political maneuvering and negotiations that led to the formation of modern Myanmar's borders. The paragraph also covers the assassination of Aung San, a key figure in Burma's independence, and the subsequent acceleration of the independence process, culminating in the declaration of independence in 1948 under the Nu regime.

Keywords

💡Cold War

The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies, the Eastern Bloc and the Western Bloc, after World War II. It is characterized by a lack of direct large-scale fighting but was marked by espionage, proxy wars, and a race for technological and military superiority. In the video, the Cold War serves as a backdrop to the geopolitical decisions and conflicts within Burma, as the country navigates its path to independence amidst global ideological divisions.

💡Burma (Myanmar)

Burma, now known as Myanmar, is a Southeast Asian country that was a British colony until it gained independence in 1948. The video discusses Burma's struggle for independence and the complex political landscape that unfolded during and after the Cold War era. The country's efforts to remain neutral and deal with internal conflicts are central to the narrative, illustrating how Burma's history was shaped by both internal and external pressures.

💡Iron Curtain

The Iron Curtain was a term used to describe the political, military, and ideological barrier erected by the communist states of the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War, dividing Europe into two separate areas from the end of World War II until the end of the Cold War. In the context of the video, the Iron Curtain symbolizes the division of the world into two opposing camps, and Burma's attempt to remain neutral is highlighted as a significant aspect of its foreign policy during this period.

💡Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL)

The Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League was a political organization in Burma that played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence from British rule. Formed by merging various resistance groups, it was instrumental in aligning with the Allies to oust the Japanese during World War II and later in the negotiations for Burmese independence. The video emphasizes the AFPFL's role in shaping Burma's political trajectory and its leader, General Aung San, as a key figure in these events.

💡General Aung San

General Aung San was a Burmese revolutionary and nationalist leader who co-founded the AFPFL and played a pivotal role in Burma's fight for independence from British rule. His assassination, as mentioned in the video, was a significant event that impacted Burma's political landscape. The video discusses his diplomatic efforts, including the London Agreement and the Panglong Agreement, which were aimed at securing autonomy and independence for Burma.

💡Panglong Agreement

The Panglong Agreement was a historic agreement signed on February 12, 1947, between the AFPFL and various ethnic leaders from the Shan, Kachin, and Chin states. It promised autonomy to these ethnic groups and is celebrated as a symbol of unity and the foundation of modern Myanmar. The video highlights the significance of this agreement in defining the borders and ethnic relations within the newly independent Burma.

💡Karen people

The Karen people are one of the many ethnic groups in Burma with a complex history of relations with the central government. The video mentions their struggle for autonomy and the formation of the Karen National Union, which sought to establish an independent Karen state. This reflects the broader theme of ethnic tensions and the quest for self-determination that has been a recurring challenge in Burma's history.

💡U Saw

U Saw was a Burmese politician who served as Prime Minister before the Japanese occupation and was a prominent rival of General Aung San. His distrust of Aung San due to the latter's collaboration with the Japanese and his subsequent role in organizing Aung San's assassination, as discussed in the video, illustrate the deep political divisions and personal rivalries that influenced Burma's path to independence.

💡Independence

Independence, in the context of the video, refers to Burma's attainment of self-governance from British colonial rule. The video details the various stages and agreements leading up to Burma's formal declaration of independence on January 4, 1948. This event marks a significant milestone in Burma's history and is a testament to the country's struggle against colonialism and for self-determination.

💡Ethnic minorities

Ethnic minorities in Burma, such as the Shan, Kachin, Chin, and Karen, are highlighted in the video as important political actors with their own aspirations for autonomy or independence. The video discusses how these groups' demands and negotiations with the central government have shaped Burma's political landscape and continue to influence its history, reflecting the complex ethnic dynamics within the country.

Highlights

The Cold War saw a world ideologically split into East and West, but some countries like Burma chose neutrality.

Burma's neutrality was driven by internal conflicts and a desire to avoid external entanglements.

Burma's struggle for independence began with Japanese occupation and the formation of resistance groups like the AFPFL.

The Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL) played a crucial role in Burma's fight for independence.

Post-war Burma faced a power struggle between the AFPFL and the British colonial forces.

The British had different plans for Burma's post-war future, which included restoring colonial rule.

Ethnic minorities within Burma aspired for independence, leading to further internal tensions.

The British White Paper on Burma outlined a three-stage plan for independence, which was met with mixed reactions.

The Panglong Agreement was a significant step towards defining modern Myanmar's borders and autonomy for ethnic states.

Aung San, a key figure in Burma's independence, was assassinated by political rivals, causing a power vacuum.

The assassination of Aung San led to speculation about British involvement, which was publicly denied.

Despite internal chaos, Burma's path to independence was accelerated after Aung San's death.

Burma's independence was declared on January 4, 1948, marking a new era but also new challenges.

The Cold War Channel provides a detailed historical account of Burma's struggle for independence during the Cold War era.

The story of Burma's independence is a complex narrative of political maneuvering and ethnic aspirations.

The Cold War Channel's narrative highlights the importance of understanding historical context in current global politics.

Transcripts

The Cold War was defined by a  world split into two halves;  

East and West. Except that isn’t really true since  some countries tried to remain neutral and, well,  

uninvolved. An example of one of these states,  one that picked neither side of the Iron curtain  

is Burma, present day Myanmar. For the Burmese  government, the reason to try and remain neutral  

was because their hands were already full fighting  a myriad of political insurgencies and militant  

separatists and they just didn’t want to invite  further trouble. I’m your host David, and this  

week we are going to look at how Burma, who began  their independence with such promise, became  

a land of countless conflicts, some of which  still last to this day. This is...The Cold War.

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We’ll start this story in 1942, when the Empire  of Japan invaded and occupied Burma, which until  

that point had been a part of the British  Empire for over a century. By August of 1943,  

the Japanese had declared an independent State  of Burma. That was of course a blatant lie as a  

puppet government had been installed under the  leadership of Ba Maw, and was firmly guided by  

the hand of the Japanese military. The Burmese  came to realise over time that their so-called  

“liberators” had no intention of actually  granting them real independence and various  

resistance groups were formed, each with the  purpose of liberating Burma or die trying. 

The most prominent of these groups and one which  would become a major player in post-war Burma,  

was the Anti-Fascist Organization, the AFO, later  reorganized into the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom  

League, the AFPFL. It was formed in Pegu in  August 1944 by the leaders of the Communist  

Party of Burma, the Burma National Army or  BNA and the People’s Revolutionary Party.  

The AFPFL worked together with the British and  other allied forces to oust the Japanese, and  

AFPFL leader, General Aung San, was to become a  key figure in later securing Burmese independence. 

As we move forward into 1945, the situation in  Burma had totally changed. The land had been  

retaken by Allied forces together with the AFO and  the BNA who remained loyal to General Aung San.  

Two other major players, along with the  aforementioned AFO, were now in control  

of Burma. They were the Allied Land Forces of  Southeast Asia (ALF-SEA) led by the Admiral  

Lord Louis Mountbatten and the British Civil  Affairs Service of Burma (CAS[B]), headed by the  

governor-in-exile Reginald Dorman-Smith. However,  these two wartime allies each had different plans  

about what post-war Burma should look like. The Army viewed Burma as a stepping stone  

from which to launch new offensives against  the Japanese, still in control of the rest  

of Indochina. The CAS[B] on the other hand,  was focused on a restoration of colonial rule  

and in the true divide-and-conquer spirit  British Imperial rule, showed favoritism  

towards the ethnic minorities of Burma whom they  considered to have remained loyal to the British.  

This was in contrast to the Burmese nationalists,  who had collaborated at one point with the  

Japanese and were viewed as traitors and openly  treated with hostility by the CAS[B] as a result. 

The AFO/AFPFL for their part, wanted a free  Burmese State and was more than willing to  

fight against the British, and any other colonial  power for that matter, to achieve their goal.  

As the Allied forces moved further into the rest  of Southeast Asia, AFPFL guerillas and CAS agents  

raced against each other to towns and  villages to establish local administration  

and sometimes even clashed against each other. Of course, the major powers weren’t the only  

ones hatching plans for the future of Burma.  Various ethnic minorities, like the Karens,  

were hoping that they could establish their own  independent states. Keep in mind that Burmese  

society by that time was armed to the teeth with  estimates of between 30 to 50 thousand weapons in  

private hands. The population was also politically  mobilised and facing a severe economic crisis.  

Peace seemed impossible under those conditions,  but Mountbatten, CAS officials and many Burmese  

leaders agreed that it was in everyone’s best  interest to restore law and order first and then  

to defuse the local power struggles. Even with  a general focus on bringing peace, the two sides  

continued to vie for dominance in the political  realm as well as over the newly formatted army. 

In October 1945, the colonial government-in-exile  returned and Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith resumed his  

position, now tasked with the implementation  of the White Paper on Burma that the British  

government had issued on May 17. This paper  outlined the three-stage independence program  

Britain had developed for Burma. The first stage  was a 3-year interim period under the emergency  

administration of 1942 and would possibly include  a council that would have Burmese representation.  

Possibly. At the end of this 3-year  period, elections would be held for a  

new government. Then the Burmese could write  a new constitution and discuss with Britain  

about the control of the Frontier areas. The Frontier areas were areas populated  

by other ethnic minorities and who enjoyed  some degree of autonomy, many who were now  

looking for their own independent states. The  inclusion of these lands in the new Burmese state  

was a controversial point and as you might expect,  the origin of many of the regional conflicts that  

were to occur over the following decade. Now,  the last part of the White Paper outlined that,  

at a yet unscheduled date, Burma would be granted  independence as a dominion within the British  

Commonwealth similar to Australia or Canada. The return of colonial government however,  

didn’t mean that order returned with  it. The country was still in chaos  

and effective authority could not be established  as there were no existing mechanisms for rule  

in a land that had been devastated by war.  With the state unable to enforce the law,  

crime ran rampant, and as the economy deteriorated  day by day, it fuelled discontent and animosity  

towards those in control. It had become  apparent, even by the early months of 1946,  

that the colonial government could no longer  hold Burma if the AFPFL took up arms against it.  

Thankfully for the British, this possibility never  actually happened. What did happen though was a  

police strike in July that by August had turned  into a nationwide strike, crippling the colony  

and forcing the administration to close ports,  railroads and government offices. These events led  

to the sacking of Dorman-Smith who was replaced  by Sir Hubert Rance who formed a new government  

largely comprised of AFPFL representatives. And with that, any lingering delusions that  

Britain could hold onto her Burmese possessions  were dispelled. The acceptance that they would be  

unable to respond militarily in case of an  insurrection and the changing winds in the  

British government paved the way for a political  settlement. A Burmese delegation under Aung San  

went to Britain and on the 27th of January  1947, they reached an agreement with British  

representatives. The London Agreement as it was  named, like so many others, promised independence  

to Burma, although again no specific date was  mentioned. As part of this agreement however,  

the Burmese would be able to choose if they  wanted to be part of the Commonwealth or not. 

Though a diplomatic victory for Aung San, not  everyone was satisfied with the resulting treaty.  

Out of the blue, two prominent Burmese political  figures, U Saw and U Ba Sein, neither having  

shown any previous signs of disagreement, declared  they didn’t want to sign the treaty, though their  

opposition had little effect at that time. Returning to Burma, Aung San had to face another  

equally, if not more, difficult task. This was the  inclusion of the Frontier areas into the future  

Burma. These areas included the Shan states  that had already formed their own federation  

and now wanted to negotiate their relationship  with the new regime. They were also home to  

other people like the Chin and the Kachin who  wanted their own separate, autonomous states.  

In February Aung San reached an  agreement with their leaders.  

The Panglong Agreement, signed on February 12,  which is still celebrated in Myanmar as Union Day,  

promised full autonomy regarding the  administration of these people’s lands  

and defined modern Myanmar’s borders. However,  others, like the Karens and the Mons, aspired to  

create fully independent states and the Mons even  started to appeal to foreign governments for aid. 

A particular note should be made about the Karen  people. Whereas for the Shan, the Chin and the  

Kachin it was easy to define their homeland,  for the Karen it would be a Herculean task.  

With the exception of pockets in the hill country  that could be identified as strictly Karen,  

most of them lived in the lowlands, mixed with  other ethnic groups, mostly Burmese. Those who  

did not see any prospects for their people in  a united Burma, formed the Karen National Union  

and announced that they would not take part in  the upcoming April elections. As such, their  

seats on the Executive Council that were reserved  for Karens went to those who supported the Union. 

The London and the Panglong Treaties were  undoubtedly diplomatic triumphs for Aung San  

but they also resulted in the formation  of an opposition, born out of mostly  

jealousy against him. The most prominent  of Aung San’s political rivals was U Saw,  

who had once served as Prime Minister in  pre-occupation Burma. Saw heavily distrusted  

Aung San because of the latter’s collaboration  with the Japanese during the early days of the  

occupation. Unlike others, however, Saw did not  limit himself in just speaking against Aung San  

but organized and then ordered his assassination. At 10:30 on the morning of the 19th of July,  

four gunmen entered the Secretariat building  in Rangoon and murdered Aung San and 8 other  

members of his cabinet. Though the authorities  immediately cast their suspicions on communists,  

it didn’t take long to find out that the  man behind Aung San’s assassination was  

U Saw. The amount of incriminating evidence was  overwhelming and he was arrested the same day.  

In fact, the plethora and clarity of evidence  identifying Saw as the ringleader soon led to  

speculation that he was framed and the true  killer was another of San’s political rivals, the  

British. The whispers about British involvement  were so pervasive that the Governor, Sir Hubert  

Rance was forced to declare publicly that neither  he or the British government had anything to do  

with the assassination. He later set up a special  tribunal under which Saw was convicted for his  

crimes and sentenced to death. A year later the  Burmese authorities would implement the sentence,  

hanging him at Insein jail on the 8th of May. Now, the dream for Burmese independence did  

not die with Aung San. On the contrary it seems  that the process was actually accelerated. The  

new constitution was ready by the end of the month  and it was unanimously approved on September 24.  

The following day, Nu was elected to lead the  new state as the prime minister and the assembly  

decided, once again unanimously, to sever their  ties with Britain entirely and not participate  

in the Commonwealth. Finally, on the 4th of  January 1948, independence was declared. This  

was a victory for the Burmese but, like in so many  other newly decolonized states around the world,  

independence on its own wasn’t going to solve  the myriad of challenges Burma faced and a new,  

more chaotic period in Burmese history  was about to begin under the Nu regime. 

And this is where we are going to leave the  story this week, to pick up again when we will  

discuss the chaotic and yet ultimately  defining decade in Burmese history.  

We hope you’ve enjoyed this first part but  to make sure you don’t miss the conclusion  

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