Myanmar, I know nothing of the history can you give me a brief overview of current events ?

Question

Hi, I have such a heart for people and I feel so badly for these peaceful protestors but i always try to see the history, Is there a history buff who can sumarize this for me, I did read wikipedia and got the 1962 fall out of democracy, but monks demonstrating because of fuel increases ?? enlighten me please I feel so badly for them

Answer 1

The history is a long one, it did not start now
History of Myanmar
Myanmar has a long and complex history. Many peoples have lived in the region and the history began.

The first identifiable civilization is that of the Mon. The Mon probably began migrating into the area in about 300 BC, and their first kingdom Suwarnabhumi, was founded around the port of Thaton in about 300 BC. The Pyu arrived in Myanmar in the 7th century and established city kingdoms at Binnaka, Mongamo, Sri Ksetra, and Halingyi. During this period, Myanmar was part of an overland trade route from China to India. By 849, the Burmans had founded a powerful kingdom centered on the city of Bagan and filled the void left by the Pyu. The kingdom grew in relative isolation until the reign of Anawrahta (1044 - 77) who successfully unified all of Myanmar by defeating the Mon city of Thaton in 1057.

After the collapse of Bagan authority, Myanmar was divided once again. The Burmans had restablished themselves at the city of Ava by 1364, where Bagan culture was revived and a great age of Burmese literature ensued. The kingdom lacked easily defendable borders, however, and was overrun by the Shan in 1527. Surviors of the destruction of Inwa eventually established a new kingdom centered on Taungoo in 1531 led by Tabinshwehti (reigned 1531-50), who once again unified most of Myanmar. A popular Burmese leader named Alaungpaya drove the Bago forces out of northern Myanmar by 1753, and by 1759 he had once again conquered Pegu and southern Myanmar while also regaining control of Manipur. He established his capital at Rangoon, now known as Yangon.

Myanmar was known to the West ever since western explorers had heard of it. Marko Polo was the earliest known westerner who discovered Myanmar and introduced to the West.
http://www.myanmars.net/myanmar-history/
http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/myanmar/pro-history.htm
http://history1900s.about.com/library/world/blxmyanmar.htm
Myanmar: A History of Near-Misses, and Protests


All Things Considered, September 26, 2007 · Pro-democracy marches that are pitting Buddhist monks against Myanmar's ruling military junta recall the rallies of 1988, which led to the overthrow of the long-time military dictator General Ne Win. But democracy did not take root. Instead, army generals took over. And they have ruled Myanmar ever since.

Melissa Block talks with Joshua Kurlantzick, a visiting scholar in the China Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, who is the author of Charm Offensive, about China's relationship with Myanmar and other Asian countries.
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Key events in Myanmar's political history
Last updated at 14:06pm on 25th September 2007

Main events in the political history of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma:

1824-1886: Britain and Burma fight three Anglo-Burmese Wars, and Britain annexes Burma and makes it part of British India.

January 1947: Britain agrees to give Burma independence after negotiations with nationalist leader Aung San.

July 1947: Aung San and six members of his interim government are assassinated by rivals.

January 1948: Burma wins independence from Britain. Civilian government takes office.

March 1962: General Ne Win seizes power in a bloodless coup. The new government adopts socialism, leads country to economic ruin.

November 1981: Ne Win steps down as president but retains control of government as head of the ruling party.

September 1987: The military government demonetizes 25, 35, and 75 kyat notes, offering no compensation to those who held them. Rice shortages also hit country.

March 1988: Students battle riot police in the capital at the beginning of what becomes a national uprising for democracy.

Aug. 8-11: Mass demonstrations throughout Burma. Security forces open fire on demonstrators. Hundreds killed.

September: Army commander Gen. Saw Maung announces military takeover, names the government State Law and Order Restoration Council, or SLORC. Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of Aung San, emerges as pro-democracy leader, forms National League for Democracy party.

September-October: Army kills hundreds more demonstrators. Official figure 500, but number believed to be in the thousands.

June 1989: The government renames the country Myanmar and changes the name of capital from Rangoon to Yangon.

July: Suu Kyi, an increasingly outspoken critic of the junta, and her deputy, Tin Oo, are put under house arrest.

May 1990: The junta calls general elections. Suu Kyi's party wins landslide victory, but military refuses to hand over power.

October 1991: Suu Kyi is awarded Nobel Peace Prize for her peaceful struggle against the regime.

July 1992: Gen. Than Shwe takes over from Saw Maung as head of junta, prime minister and defense minister.

July 1995: Suu Kyi is released from house arrest.

July 1997: Myanmar is admitted to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. SLORC renames itself the State Peace and Development Council.

September 2000: Suu Kyi is placed under house arrest after attempting to leave Yangon for a political meeting.

May 2002: Suu Kyi released from house arrest.

May 2003: Suu Kyi taken into "protective custody" after her motorcade was ambushed by a government-backed mob in northern Myanmar.

November 2005: Government begins moving administrative capital to Naypyitaw, or "Royal City", 400 kilometres (250 miles) north of Yangon.

January 2007: Russia and China veto resolution at UN Security Council drafted by U.S. urging Myanmar to stop persecuting opposition and minority groups.

Aug. 15: Government raises fuel prices by as much as 500 per cent.

Aug. 19: Up to 500 people in Yangon stage rare public protest against price increases.

Aug. 21: Government arrests 13 members of pro-democracy group 88 Generation Students who it claims were behind the protest. Protests continue.

Sept. 5: Soldiers fire warning shots at monks' protest in Pakokku in the north, reportedly injuring several monks. The next day monks briefly hold about 20 government officials hostage and demand an apology.

Sept. 22: As many as 10,000 monks march in protest in Mandalay in the north. In Yangon, Suu Kyi greets monks as they march past her house. It is her first public appearance in more than four years.

Sept. 24: About 100,000 people led by Buddhist monks demonstrate in the largest anti-government protests since 1988.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=483879&in_page_id=1811