Asian Nationalism And Decolonisation: ‘The Unnecessary Ones’ Flashcards
(16 cards)
Why did Burma gain independence shortly after WW2?
. The nationalists there and the ascendancy of the AFPFL, led by Aung San, was far too violent for Britain to keep holding onto Burma, they were essentially driven out even though clement Attlee had intended for a measured and slow move towards independence
- breakdown of British order from this nationalism accelerated independence massively
How did Burma legally gain independence?
. London Jan 1947 - Aung san and Attlee agreed for elections for a constituent assembly would take place in April 1948
- a huge AFPFL majority
Who led Burmese nationalists?
Aung San
Who was Burma occupied by during WW2?
Japan, and Burma initially collaborated with them before supporting allies in 1945
How did Aung San solidify his position as the foremost independence leader of Burma?
Headed the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL)
How did Britain open negotiations to Burma?
. Aung San was brought into the British interim government and appointed to the executive council in September 1946
- this meant Burmese leaders now had a voice in administration of Burma
. Given the strikes and growing unrest in 1946, Britain realised Burma’s strength of independence movements were too strong, so opened negotiations for independence (too much work to deal with)
What were the main negotiations that Britain made with Burma for independence?
. Aung San-Attlee agreement 27 Jan 1947 - British formally agreed to grant Bruma full independence
. Panglong Conference Feb 1947 - San won support of key ethnic minority leaders such as Chin for a unified Burma in exchange for autonomy guarantees
When did Britain’s initial negotiations for Burmese independence become threatened?
19th July 1947 - Aung San assassinated by political rivals
However, Thakin Nu and other AFPFL colleagues pressed on with independent process
When was Burmese independence officially declared?
4th January 1948
- union of Burma established as independent republic
Who helped facilitate a smooth transfer of power to Burma?
. Governor sir Hubert Rance and Attlee
What was the state of Burma after it declared its independence?
March 1948 - civil war broken out among communist rebels, ethnic insurgences, and the central government
How is it clear that Britain’s decolonisation from Burma was much more clear-cut then other decolonisations?
Burma chose not to join the commonwealth upon independence due to strong Burmese nationalist sentiment
- Britain had hoped to maintain some formal ties
Were Britain accepting of Burma’s exit?
They saw it as inevitable as Britain had been financially exhausted by the war to a point that they knew they couldn’t afford to quell nationalism, it just wasn’t worth it
How did Britain’s willingness to let go of Burma indicate a shift in colonial policy?
Britain’s policy went from gradually preparing colonies for self-rule to a strategy where independence could be granted more quickly for the colonies expressing more organised nationalist movements
How was the loss of Burma a big loss of economic resources?
Burma was a major rice export, and had oil and teak
- however, the resources economically and strategically of Malaya and Singapore were seen as more important
Was the independence of Burma a smooth process?
Not really, different factions within the AFPFL couldn’t agree on Burma’s future path and San’s assassination led to the independence not being as quiet of a withdrawal as Attlee had hoped
