Past to Present History 1044 AD was the Pagan Dynasty Buddhism kings built a massive city thousands of pagodas and monasteries were built In 1287 the Mongol invaded and destroyed the city Ancient Pagoda ID: 465497
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "Burma" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Burma
Past to PresentSlide2
History
1044 AD was the Pagan DynastyBuddhism kings built a massive city thousands of pagodas and monasteries were built
In 1287, the Mongol invaded and destroyed the citySlide3
Ancient Pagoda
A soldier carried a table past the rubble of the 2,300-year-old
Danok
pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, which collapsed in May 2009Slide4
History
1486-1752 was the Taugoo DynastyLittle cultural legacy was leftThe Shans
was conquered through wars and battles
A village in northern Shan State.Slide5
History
1752-1885 was the
Konbaung
Dynasty
The focus was on warfare and conquest
Wars were fought with the Mons and Arakanese and Siamese
However, the Chinese and British invaded and the British gained control in 1885 annexing it to British India
King
Thibaw
was the 11th generation of the
Konbaung
Dynasty.Slide6
World War II
Burmese nationalists joined forces with the Japanese army, driving out the British
But ... the Burmese switched sides in 1945 and aided the British and American armies to battle against the Japanese
At the end of the war, the Burmese demanded complete political and economic independence from Britain and the Constitution was signed in 1948Slide7
After the War
1948 – 1962 ~ Burma had a democratic political government. However, internal conflict and struggle ensuedSlide8
Xenophobic Military Control
Military coup lead to the abolishment of the constitution and an xenophobic military government with socialist economic policies
The result had a devastating effect on the country’s economy and business climateSlide9
Burma ~ August 8, 1988
Students led demonstrations broke out in Rangoon in response to the worsening economic situation and evolved into a call for regime change.Slide10
Burma 8888
Demonstrations increased in
size and the students were
joined by the general public.
August 8, 1988, military forces
Killed more than 1,000
demonstrators
Aung
San
Suu
Kyi
, daughter of
the General
Aung
San made
Her first speech and assumed
The role of opposition leaderSlide11
IDPs hiding after Burma Army attacksSlide12
Saw
Mya
kaw
htoo
, killed and burned by the Burma ArmySlide13
Villagers rebuilding their homesSlide14
Aung San Suu
Kyi
Has spent 14 of the last 20 years under house arrest. Prevented from seeing her late husband when he was terminally ill. Has not seen her two sons for well over a decade.
Charismatic with the ability to make people feel they are being listened to intently. Features in Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s book “Courage.” She has asked: “Please use your liberty to promote
our’s
.”
(Global Issues 2010)
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. General-Secretary of the NLD.
Won a landslide victory (87% of votes) in 1990 elections in Burma and should have been Burma’s Prime Minister. Result dishonoured by the military.Slide15
Ant Bwe Kyaw
Leader of the 88 Generation Students movement sentenced to 65 years in 2008.
Currently imprisoned in
Katha
prison, northern Burma following his role in the Saffron Revolution.
Not even allowed to accept fresh clothes sent to him, his mother fears the worst. “The regime never talks about releasing political prisoners…I don’t have much hope for my son.”
(Global Issues 2010)Slide16
After 8888
On September, 1988, a military coup deposed the Socialist Program Party, suspended the constitution and established a new ruling junta called the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)The army was sent into the streets to suppress the public demonstrations3,000 more were killed and more than 10,000 students fled to the hills and border areas, many fled the countrySlide17
May 1990
An election was held where the SLORC believed they would continue to rule but the democratic party led by Aung San Suu
Kyi
was voted into power even though she was under house arrest.
The SLORC refused to honour the results or call the parliament into session. They imprisoned many political activists ~ maintaining their power to lead the countrySlide18
1997 in Burma
The ruling junta changed its name to State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)Control and repression of the democratic opposition did not change
Aung
San
Suu
Kyi
was still restricted of power and even movements within the country
A 'New Town' built on the outskirts of Rangoon where people have been forcibly relocated from central Rangoon. (1997)Slide19
The 2000s in Burma
Talks between the Peace and Development Council and the Democratic Party began, prisoners were released in the early 2000sIn 2002, Aung
San
Suu
Kyi
was allowed to leave her home and was
greated
warmly throughout the country
A year later, she and her convoy of supporters were attackedSlide20
Aung San Suu
KyiMany of her party were killed or injured or disappeared
Aung
San
Suu
Kyi
was once again under house arrest
In 2004, key people were released from the 1988 uprising. Some reorganizedSlide21
Burma in the later 2000s
In 2007, oil prices rose, prodemocracy groups organized peaceful marches and demonstrations protesting the economic situation in Burma.They were jailed.Slide22
Buddhist Monks Protests
The Monks lead peaceful marches but again, violence erupted in 2007Slide23
Monks and Protestors
The monks were joined by ordinary citizens and again the regime renewed its violent crackdown ~ shooting, beating and detaining thousands of monks, prodemocracy activists and onlookersDepending on who is telling the story, there were anywhere from 10 to 30 deaths in 2007Slide24
2008 in Burma
A new constitution was draftedA multi party election is planned for 2010However ...Slide25
Referendum in 2008
The referendum was carried out in an atmosphere of fear and intimidationCyclone Nargis also added to the stress as it caused disaster for the oppressed
The constitution was passed with a 92.48% voter approval and with a 98% voter turnout
Observers do not consider those figures credibleSlide26
Cylone Nargis Hits in 2008Slide27
International Aid
Support for the cyclone was turned away by government officialsIt is estimated that entire villages were wiped out leaving 138,000 dead or missingApproximately 2.4 million were affected by the stormInformation on the historical events is from U.S. Department of State, 2010Slide28
Oppression of the People
Burma has one of the worst human rights records in the worldCountries refuse to trade with Burma even though it is rich in natural resources (teak, oil, natural gas, jade, pearls, rubies, sapphires)The French cooperate with the junta to exploit gasSlide29
Tourism
Tourism has not been developed ~ those who do travel to Burma to see the beautiful pagodas do not benefit the economy of the people
Rules and laws do not exist ~ people live in fear every daySlide30
Laws and Media
Rules and laws are at the mercy of the juntaBurmese media has strict control of what will be reported and it rules everything from poetry to films to newspapers and televisionOnly a few Burmese have access to international television and publications
Internet is tightly controlled by the government, poor telephone infrastructure and unreliable electricity
(BBC News, 2010)Slide31
Other facts about the Junta
For many of Burma`s indigenous people, contact with the military is the only form of contact with outsidersThe goal of the Burmese military is for complete assimilation – same culture, same language and same religion – thus ethnic cleansingSlide32
Ethnic Cleansing
Destroy villagesBurn food stocksExecution of those suspected of supporting the oppositionArbitrary taxation
Rape and torture
(Cultural Survival, 2000)Slide33
Indigenous People in Burma
There are 135 indigenous cultures and languages in Burma
Some believe they are the key to the countries future. The young Karen boy stands beside a burned churchSlide34
Areas of Ethnic Groups
Kachin – live in the northern Himalayan area and are in constant fight for their landsChin – live in the northwest area bordering India and are warrior-like and more tribalShan – live in the very northeast area next to Thailand – known for growing opium and producing amphetamines
Karen – occupy a long strip of land along the Thailand border and are strong willed but peacefulSlide35
Akha
The
Akha
people live in the highland areas in Burma, Thailand and Laos
Historically, they survived by growing crops, eating native plants and animals, growing cotton and dying it naturally into bright colours. They celebrated the changing seasons with festivities
Swing FestivalSlide36
Akha Today
With development came the destruction of the jungle as trees were cut down in vast numbersOpium armies disrupted villages by taking over the land, giving jobs in the poppy fields, robbing girls of their childhood through trafficking and robbing boys of their childhood by making them into child soldiersSlide37
With little internal or external aid, ethnic groups like the
Akha
are faced with little access to medical aid or food relief.
Rice prices have shot up leading to theft, kidnapping, poaching of wild animals and production of the opium crop as people become desperateSlide38
Arakanese
TheArakanese lost their independence in 1784, when the Burmese invaded their landsTheir livelihood is centred around the Kaladan River – fishing in the past but now they are forced into labour in the fishing industry, working long hours in the intense sun and wet
They are denied adequate education and have little knowledge of the world outside their sphere. They work to survive – to buy riceSlide39
Shwe Gas Project
Unfortunately for the Arakanese, they live along the Kaladar River which just happens to host the world`s tenth largest gas reserve.
The military government will exploit the Arakanese to make money for themselves and buy military equipment to improve control
India and China are planning how they can transport the gas to their countries – over the land or through the river – it matters little to them about environmental catastrophesSlide40
China wins deal
Arakan
people lose, 2009Slide41
Karen History
The Karen arrived in Burma about 739 BC. They were simple, quiet and peace lovingThe Karen were forced to the mountainous, thick jungle area when the Mons and Burmese were feuding – the Karen chose to retreat rather than fightThe remote area meant they would live an isolated life of hard labourSlide42
After the British Invasion
Life for the Karen improved with the British invasion – they were treated with respect and were able to earn an education which infuriated the Burmese. The Japanese turned that around for them –attempting to wipe them out in a genocidal
killing.
Life has never been restored to the same state they experienced under British rule
However, they have learned to revolt against the militant leaders of Burma -- 8888Slide43
Dams as Ethnic Cleansing in Burma
The Hat
Gyi
Dam on the Salween River will mean another attempt at ethnic cleansing
The Karen will be unarmed and will be forced to comply to militarization – forced labour, torture, execution, rape, looting and extortion
Once again the Karen will be forced to flee into the jungle and mountainous areas of Burma
(IPS, 2009)Slide44
Kachin`s History
The Kachin entered Burma in the 15th
and 16
th
centuries (relative newcomers) and settled in the north eastern area. They speak at least 9 different languages. They mostly believe in animism but there are Christians and Buddhists found in their culture.
They are known for their independent nature and disciplined fighting skillsSlide45
Kachin Today
Today, every ethnic group in Burma is fighting against the military government to keep their land – the Kachin have fought the Japanese during WWII, they have bonded with the rest of ethnic groups and Burmese people during the August 8,1988 protest and have continued to stand up to the junta. In September 2009, they called an emergency meeting to call for peace talks. Today, they are calling for support of
Kachin
worldwide to help them. They are ready for war.
(Announcement to all
Kachin
People, 2009)Slide46
Kachin use intellectual power to try and beat the MilitarySlide47
Chin
Arriving in Burma in the 9th or 10th century, they settled in the western area near IndiaThey are mostly Christian but some maintain their tribal beliefs -- animism
Today,
the Chin people are attempting to flee the
junta by escaping into India
Internally displace refugeesSlide48
Burmese People
Most Burmese live along the Irrawaddy River in the lowland areasThe majority of the people speak Tibeto- Burman
languages
After independence in 1948, serious divisions between Burmese and non Burmese political leaders emerged resulting in armed conflict between the groups – IDP, unfair taxationSlide49
Burmese Population
There is a miniscule number of elite, a few middle class and a huge majority of poorThe drug trade is the most economic form of income for Burmese – benefiting few ethnic Burmese people
The Burmese are 90% Buddhist – education and spiritualism takes place in the temple
Higher education is available in urban areas
However, 80% live in rural areas
(Everyculture.com)Slide50
Video Clips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeiZV_BMOyM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-hnzIGns-g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV3b4UnN6fw&feature=fvsr
Burma`s Secret War part 1
A Secret Genocide
Burma 8888 In Memory 20 years On
Dealing With The Devil -- Burma
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LxlsDssjoc
Video from Burma – Shoot on Sight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2EEJkyntV4