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NARRATIVE . References : Online Secondary Sources . Online Primary Sources . Bibliographic and Print Sources Historical Regions of Burma : Arakan, Tenasserim, Shan States, Kachin, Pegu see also History of Mainland Southeast Asia |
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For the history of Burma prior to the Konbaung Dynasty, see Toungoo Dynasty. The Konbaung Dynasty reunified Burma (referred to as Ava by many contemporary sources) in 1752. Pursuing a policy of military expansion, the Burmese temporarily held Ayutthaya, the capital of Siam (1767), but a series of Chinese invasions forced Burma to recognize the suzerainty of Qing China (1769). Arakan was conquered in 1784. After the First Anglo-Burmese War 1824-1826, Burma ceded Arakan and Tenasserim to the East India Company; after the Second Anglo-Burmese War 1852 Lower Burma. These areas had been placed under Bengal Presidency. In 1858 the E.I.C. went bankrupt and her possessions in India were taken over by the British government. In the Third Anglo-Burmese War 1886, Upper Burma was conquered by the British. Upper Burma, Lower Burma, Arakan and Tenasserim were now merged to form Burma Province, as part of British India. In 1937, Burma was separated from British India and established as a separate crown colony. Under British administration, rice cultivation in the Irawaddy Delta was greatly expanded; the country became an important exporter of Teak and of precious stones. Occupied by the Japanese from 1942 to 1944, Burma was granted independence in 1948, based on federalism. The Union of Burma actively engaged in international affairs. A coup d'etat in 1962 began military dictatorship, which is still ongoing. Federalism was abolished, socialism was proclaimed as official ideology. After an experiment, the holding of elections, went "wrong" (1988), the government which lost the election renamed the country Myanmar (1989), forgot about the election and arrested the politicians who won it. Burma since 1962 has pursued a policy of isolation. Once one of the wealthier countries in Asia, its economy has deteriorated. Myanmar, since 1989 . Burma 1974-1989 . Burma 1962-1974 . Burma 1948-1962 Burma 1945-1948 . Burma 1942-1945 . Burma 1937-1942 . Burma 1919-1937 . Burma 1886-1918 Lower Burma 1852-1886 .. Upper Burma 1852-1886 British Arakan, Tenasserim 1824-1852 . Burma 1824-1852 Burma before 1824 Historical Atlas : Burma Page |
