Chapter (5)

Colonial Period

(5-1) What were the conditions of Burma during the British

period?

Let's study the British style of governance.

After the first invasion, the British ruled Rakhine and Tanintharyi under
the Governor of Bengal. After the Second Invasion War, the British conquered
Lower Burma and appointed a minister to govern. After the Third Invasion War,
the entire country of Burma was incorporated into the British Empire, and the
Deputy Governor was appointed to rule.

The administration is a bureaucratic administration and the High

Commissioner. It is the administration that is responsible for the succession of
elders and so on. Since the British conquered Burma, they divided the area
into hilly areas and flat areas. In order to be able to operate the colonial
administration, the administrative departments were also expanded.

The British government gave Burma the Diarchy administration in 1923.

Diarchy administration is a system of administration jointly administered by
the British government and Burma. The administrative departments are
managed by the governor and the British officers on behalf of the British
government. On the one hand, Member of Parliament elected by the Burmese
people rule. Under the Government of Burma Act of 1935, Myanmar was
separated from India and given 91 departments in 1937. People's
representatives have the right to manage 91 administrative departments, so it
is called 91-department administration. In 91 departmental administrations,
the governor is the sovereign authority, and the legislature and the cabinet are
under the governor.

Question. What administrative systems did the British rule Burma?

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What do you think of those administrations?

Let us study the economic conditions under the British.

During the colonial era, Burma's economy was a capitalist economy.

Big businesses are owned by the British government and foreign capitalists.

Myanmar's main economic activity is rice farming. After the opening of the
Suez Canal, the trade in rice increased, so the British encouraged the
expansion of rice cultivation. The farmers borrowed the capital needed for
farming from the “Chittis” brought by the British from India. However, because
of the high interest rate, they lost their land, and the land owned by Chitti
increased.

In the colonial era, in addition to the rice industry, oil, metal, wood and

Rubber businesses were also expanded. To support the capitalist economic

system, road communication was improved. Railway and highways were
expanded and constructed. Inland waterway transport has been improved.

The economic conditions of the colonial era were much better than
before, but the natives did not benefit and only the foreign capitalists

benefited the most.

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oil drilling in colonial period How rubber latex was

extracted in colonial period

image of timber extraction in colonial

period

Question. How did the people suffer from the colonial economy? Why?

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Let's explore the lifestyles of the colonial era.

Yangon Hospital was built during the British colonial era

During the colonial period, the feudal system of life changed to a

capitalist system of life. In order to get the cheapest wages, farm laborers and
workers from India were imported. Chinese workers also entered. With the
influx of foreigners along with the capitalist economic system, changes have
occurred in Myanmar's living system. The village life system has changed to the
urban life system. The people are mixed. Modern educated classes emerged.
The foreigners brought their religious beliefs and literature, so the way they
dressed and way of life of Burmese society was changed.

As Western medicine became dominant, traditional medicine faded away.

Mandalay Hospital in Upper Myanmar in Lower Myanmar, Yangon General
Hospital and Dufferin (Central Women's Hospital) were opened, but hospitals
could not be opened in rural areas, resulting in high death rates. However,
there were more advanced social conditions than in feudal times.

Question. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the colonial

system of living.

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Let's find out what was done about education during the colonial period.

Yangon University Graduation Hall

Colonial education was the educational system that supported British

rule. The education system was started because of the need to appoint ethnic
staff in low-level positions in the colonial administration. The changes caused
by the application of the colonial education system are that the number of
monasteries has decreased, and modern education schools, Christian
missionary schools emerged. Industrial training schools, Vocational schools
were opened. However, those educational institutions only benefited the
capitalist and the colonial administration. There are three types of schools: An
English school that only teaches in English, English-Burmese Bilingual School
and Traditional Burmese Schools that teach only in Burmese. Yangon College
was founded in 1881. A college that emerged at the same time as Yangon
College was Judean College. In 1920, Yangon University was established by the
merger of Yangon College and “Judathan” College. In 1926, there were seven
English-Burmese teacher training schools, and in 1931, teachers' colleges were
opened in Yangon.

Question. What benefits did colonial education bring?

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Let's study colonial literature and art.

After the Second Anglo-Burmese War, the British established printing

presses in Lower Burma. In the printing press, books and newspapers are
printed. When the British took over the entire country of Burma, printing
presses appeared again. In those printing houses, law books and various
textbooks were printed. Playwriting came into vogue. Novel writings also
appeared on the period. James Hla Kyaw's novel, “Maung Rin Maung Ma Mae
Ma” and U Bo Zaw's novel, “Robinson Crusoe” are prominent.

The number of people who read English literature gradually increased.

They started writing novels after English novels. Translation literature also
appeared. The novels, magazines and journals written by Burmese are also
published. Contemporary literary writing emerged. Anti-colonial and nationalist
literature also emerged. The library that published the most of this type of
literature was “Na Ga Ni” Library.

Question. How did any literary writings about literature emerge in

colonial period?

“Thu Ri Ya” newspaper in colonial “Na Ga Ni” Book in colonial

period period

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A painting by U Ba Nyan, puppet dramatics in the colonial era

an artist who appeared

in the colonial era

Painting can be divided into three types: Burmese painting, gold painting
and Lacquer painting. In Konbaung period, gold painting was used as a royal
painting in palaces. In the colonial era, it was used in pagodas. Lacquer
painting is painted with ink on lacquer cloth and then injected with paint.
Painting is the main art. In the colonial period, they accepted the Western
painting system, but they did not abandon the traditional Myanmar painting
style. The western art system: chiaroscuro, linear and aerial perspective was
developed. They were painted as they were actually seen. Since World War I,
Burmese music began to be influenced by western music. As the tunes become
fresh, so do the instruments. There were also musicians who played brass,
xylophone, harp and the piano. Songs inspired by patriotism emerged. Puppets
and puppetry continued to be popular during the colonial period. In the 1900s,
beyond the era of “Myay Wine”, stage dances began to take place. Theaters also
appeared. “U Boe Sein”, “U Sein Ka Tone” and “Shwe Man Tin Maung” raised
the status of Burma's colonial era puppet show. More than 40 Burmese film
companies emerged and took films.

Question. How did art evolve during the colonial period?

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(5-2) Why is nationalism reawakened?

Let us study how nationalism is awakened by associations.

Under the British colonial rule, the Burmese ethnic groups began to form
religious associations to protect and preserve their religion. The Buddhist
Kalyana Yuwa Association, known as YMBA, was founded in 1906 by a group
of young educated people in Yangon. The main purpose is to carry out for
national, religion and education. There have been more than two thousand
YMBA branches nationwide. People objected to things like marrying Burmese
women and foreigners; only Europeans were allowed to ride in high-class
trains; Europeans walked up to the temple with shoes on. The YMBA
Association later became a social, business matters.

Question. Why was the YMBA formed? What actions have been taken?

In 1920, the YMBA was renamed the GCBA and renamed the Burmese
Confederation. People actively participated in the GCBA Federation. The
purpose of GCBA is to achieve self-governance; appoint Burmese ethnics to
high positions and empower ethnics to run Burmese businesses. The GCBA
was more political than the YMBA, but politics and religion were intertwined.

Classified train rides

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Activity to encourage domesticity, not paying taxes to the British
imperial government

People encourage only domestic products without using foreign products.

They started anti-imperialist activities such as helping each other. The GCBA
helped support the first student strike. In addition, it helped in the emergence
of national schools. Later, GCBA disintegrated due to differences in political
ideas among the leaders.

Although the GCBA failed to achieve its goal of self-government, it was

the group that did the most to promote nationalism and anti-imperialism.

Question. Explain the purpose of the GCBA and its anti-imperialist

activities.

Let's explore how National Schools and National Victory Day came about.

City National School

The first student strike occurred shortly after the change from YMBA to
GCBA. The British government drafted the Universities Act in 1920. In that
law, the majority of Burmese nationals were suppressed from being allowed to
study, and the public protested strongly. However, the government enacted the

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University Act. Therefore, on December 5th, 1920 (10 days past the full moon
of 1282), college students began a strike. National schools were established in
various townships to continue the education of the striking students. A
national college was also established in Yangon.

The 10th day of the full moon of “Tazaung Mone”, when university
students began to boycott the slave education system of the imperialist British,
was designated as National Victory Day and annual celebrations were held.

Question. Explain how National Schools and National Victory Day came
about.

Let's take a look at the activities of the Burmese Association

Thakin Bhathaung (1901-1981) was the founder of Burma Association

Image of the Burma Association logo

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 The organization that emerged after the collapse of the GCBA was The
Burmese Association (“Doe Burma” Association). The Burmese Association was
founded in Yangon in 1930 by “Thakin Ba Thaung” and a group of young
people. The goal is anti-imperialism and absolute independence. Members of
the Burmese Association are called “Thakin”. The slogans of the Burma
Association, exhortations and the slogans inspired the people with native blood
and pride. After 1935, The Burmese Association movement became more
active. In order to provide knowledge to the people, the Burmese newspaper,
Burmese news and “Daung” newspapers were published. In addition, “Na Ga
Ni” Book Club was also established.

The people requested the independence of the mainland and the

mountainous regions together from the British government. The Burmese
Association is anti-imperialist. It participated in the forefront of the national
liberation movement. The Burmese organization communicated with Japan
and secretly sent young people to Japan to learn military skills, and the Thirty
Comrades emerged.

Question. How did the Burmese Association work to revive nationalism?

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(5-3) How did we gain independence?

Let's find out which organizations revolutionized the British imperialists.

A picture of some of the members of the Thirty Comrades

The role of the thirty comrades in Myanmar's struggle for independence

is important. Thirty young men, including “Thakin Aung San”, tried to learn
martial arts in Hainan Island and Taiwan Island. Thirty comrades made a
blood oath in Bangkok, Thailand and formed the Bangkok Independence Army
(BIA). Then, in 1942, the Burmese Independence Army led by General Aung
San (Bo Tayza) entered Burma in three lines along with the Japanese Army. In
March 1942, the BIA and the Japanese Army captured Yangon and chased the
British to the Indian border. Burma hoped for complete independence from the
Japanese, but they did not get it. The Japanese ruled Burma with a fascist
system. For Burma, it was only a fall from British rule to fascist rule.

Question. Explain the efforts of the thirty comrades for Myanmar's

independence.

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Let's study how the people live under the fascist regime.

The first Myanmar delegation to Japan (Dr. Ba Maw, Thakin Mya, Dr.
Thein Maung, General Aung San)

On August 1, 1943, Burma's independence was declared by the

Japanese. The independence given by the Japanese was fake. After
independence, Dr. Ba Maw became the Chancellor of the State. Ministers could
be appointed in the administration at will and they could be removed, but the
government only had to do whatever the fascist authorities asked. The
government of the country was a fascist military rule.

Under the Fascist regime, Burma's social status was low. Due to the
outbreak of war, almost all domestic manufacturing industries were destroyed
and domestic transportation activities were also suspended. There were
problems with shortages of rice, clothes, medicines and consumer goods. Due
to low business and social status, it was almost impossible to get education for
the Burmese. The urban population migrated to the countryside to escape the
danger of war.

During the fascist regime, the health condition of the people has
deteriorated due to the lack of the doctor, nurse, medicine and equipment.
Military doctors and medical corps administered smallpox injections and rat

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extermination in communities. Since there is no sanitation program in cities
and villages, epidemic prevention activities are ineffective.

Burmese life during the fascist regime

During the fascist regime, inflation and prices became extremely high
because of unsecured notes and money with unlimited editions. Myanmar
products such as rice and crops were bought with Japanese banknotes and
some were taken by force. There was the difficulty of equipment in industrial
activities and the lack of fuel during the Fascist rule in Burmese life.

Due to the unavailability of raw materials, there was a shortage of locally

produced consumer goods. Under Fascism, economic planning was made but it
was not productive projects for the people. It only faced conditions that
deepened poverty. The Fascist economy was an economic system that only
benefited the Fascist government and the Japanese sycophants.

Question. Explain the administration, social and economic conditions of

Myanmar during the fascist regime.

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Let's study how the fascists were defeated.

According to the internal and external conditions, the Burmese took the
help of the Japanese and fought against the British. They managed to fight
back against the fascists when they were subjected to even worse restrictions
and torture under the fascist military rule. All ethnic groups are becoming
more united in the fight against fascism. National leader General Aung San led
this unity. They made the best use of this situation and planned a fascist
revolution. The Burmese Army and anti-fascist forces came together to form
the Anti-Fascist People's Liberation Organization (“Fa-ta-pa-la”). Fatapala was
able to fight back the fascists with the help of the allied forces.

Question. How many times did Burmese ethnic people have to fight
against fascist Japan?

Let's look at how they tried to gain independence.

Myanmar delegation arrived in London

After the fascists left Burma, the British government, which returned,
applied martial law and civil administration. The Anti-Fascist People's
Liberation League (Fa-Sa-Pa-La)) led by General Aung San demanded
independence for Myanmar within one year. The British government invited
General Aung San and members to London to discuss the future of Myanmar.

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The discussion lasted for 15 days, and in 1947, on January 27th, the Aung
San-Atlee Treaty was signed. In that treaty, an agreement was reached to grant
independence within a year. However, it was stated that the mountainous
region must present strong evidence that it wants to obtain independence
together with the mainland.

General Aung San signing the

Panglong Treaty

Monument to the cooperation of the

mountainous region and mainland in
Panglong

General Aung San held an ethnic unity conference in Panglong to seek

independence for the highlands and the mainland. In that conference, the
Panglong Treaty for cooperation between the mountains and the mainland was
signed in 1947. It was signed on February 12th and was signed by General
Aung San along with 23 ethnic leaders.

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 The day of signing the Panglong Treaty is designated as Union Day and
annual ceremonies are held. In 1947, the struggle for independence was about
to succeed. On July 19, 9 martyrs, including General Aung San, were killed by
a group of national traitors during a ministerial meeting at the Yangon
Secretaries' Office. That day is designated as Martyr's Day, and the Martyr's
Day ceremony is held every year on July 19th.

Question. What are the benefits of Panglong Conference?

During the signing of the Nu-Atli contract

A delegation led by Prime Minister Thing Nu and including ethnic leaders

went to London to seek independence. Prime Minister Thakin Nu and the
British Crown Prince Mr. Attlee in 1947. On October 17th, the Nu-Atelli
contract was signed.

According to that treaty, Myanmar was recognized as the independent

sovereign Republic of the Union of Myanmar. 1948. It was obtained on January
4. Once independence was declared, the British Union Jack flag hoisted at the
Governor's House was lowered and the Union of Myanmar flag was hoisted.
That day is designated as Independence Day and annual celebrations are held.

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 Independence Day Flag Raising Ceremony

Question. What were the reasons for independence?

Chapter (5) Colonial period

Exercise

Task (1) How do you understand colonialism?

Task (2) For what reasons did the people of the circle fight the revolution
against imperialist British and fascists?

Task (3) During the colonial period, the Burmese ethnic people were oppressed

and suppressed. Had to live a life of exploitation. Therefore, explain how

independence should be preserved and protected.

Task (4) How did the Burmese people feel when they gained independence?
Why?

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