The Struggle for Independence PDF

The Struggle for Independence Early Anti-Colonial Movement 1.1.1. Armed Resistance The Armed Resistance of the Myanmar people against the British imperialists began after the First Anglo-Myanmar War ( 1824-1826). Those who fought against the British were Bo Kyaw Shw...

The Struggle for Independence Early Anti-Colonial Movement 1.1.1. Armed Resistance The Armed Resistance of the Myanmar people against the British imperialists began after the First Anglo-Myanmar War ( 1824-1826). Those who fought against the British were Bo Kyaw Shwee, Bo Chin Pyan, and Min Thar Gyi Shweban from Rakhine. Myowun U Shwe Toke from Dawei, Myo Wun U Myat Lay from Myeik, Myo Wun Ye Set Kyaw Khaung from Ye, and Myo Wun Maha Uzana from Mottama. The leaders of the imperialist resistance who fought against the British in Rakhine after the Second Anglo-Myanmar War (1852-1853) were Bo Maung Oo Phyu from Rakhine, Bo Myat Htun from Danubyu, Myowun U Ngo from Pathein, Bo Gaung Gyi and Bo Gaung Kalay from Thayawady and Myowun U Bo from Myae Htae and etc… Armed resistance took place in various regions of Myanmar after the Third Anglo- Myanmar War (1885). The leaders of the resistance were as follows; In Bhamo and Wuntho, Wuntho Sawbwa U Aung Myat, Htake Tin Hmat and Htake Tin Thein from Shwebo, Htake Tin Saw Yan Pai and Htake Tin Saw Yan Naing from Innwa, Myin Saing Min Thar from Kyaukse, Bo Cho and Kyimyindine Min Thar from Bagan and Poppa,Bo Ywel from Mindon, Bo Ottama from Leikaing. In addition, U Min Yaung ( Bo La Yaung), grandfather of Bogyoke Aung San from Taungdwingyi was also a famous resistance leader. Phon Kanduwa and Bo Pho Saw from Kachin, Cawn Bik and Shwegyobyu Min Thar from Chin, and Sawlapaw from Karenni ( Kayah ), etc…were leaders who led the resistance movement against the British. Lin Pin Min Thar, son of Kanaung Min Thar from Kengtung had organized the Sawbwas of Kengtung, Mongnai, Lauksawk (Yaksawk), and Mongnaung Myo Sar. Nang Kham Oo was the most prominent leader from the Wa region. With the resentment being a subject race, the ethnic groups took up arms and resisted the British with whatever weapons were available. However, they couldn’t unite the people of Myanmar to participate actively in the early resistance movement. 1.1.2. Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA) As the early anti-colonial movement met with defeat, the impact upon Myanmar accelerated the national consciousness of the people. Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA) was founded in 1906 by young Myanmar scholars and intellectuals. The main purpose of YMBA was race, language, religion, and education. In 1911, the first National Conference of the YMBA was held in Yangon. In the early phase, YMBA gave priorities to religion, education, and social activities but gradually it led to an anti–British, and national independence movement. On behalf of the Myanmar people, the YMBA objected to the British government’s affairs and demanded the British government make reforms in the administration. The first task to be carried out by the YMBA was to send the deputation to India for the progress of the administration. In 1917, when the British government tried to make progress in the administration of India, the leaders of YMBA decided to send a deputation to India. Due to the earthquake in Bago in 1918, the diamond bud of Shwemawdaw Pagoda, had fallen on the platform. Sir Reginald Craddock, the then-Lieutenant Governor of Myanmar, tipped with shoes on the platform of the Shwemawdaw Pagoda which crumbled during the earthquake in Bago in 1918. As a result, the whole country came together, led by the YMBA, held a meeting in Yangon, and submitted a motion against wearing shoes on the pagoda platform. When the Montagu-Chelmsford report came out in which the British government increased the administration of India, Myanmar was left out. A delegation including U Pu, U Ba Pe, and U Tun Shein (Pe, Pu, Shein) was sent to England in 1919 and made a claim. According to the Montagu-Chelmsford report, when India was given a dyarchy, Myanmar was left behind and was tricked into comforting it with the Craddock Scheme. Because the people did not want the Craddock Scheme, the YMBA led and opposed it. In 1920, the YMBA delegation consisted of U Ba Pe, U Pu, and U Thein Maung (Pe, Pu, Maung) were sent to England for the second time and requested to increase the administration in Myanmar. Therefore, the British gave Myanmar a Dyarchy. From 1906 to 1920, YMBA was the most powerful association in Myanmar and an organization that benefited the people and the country. They suitably started the anti-British imperialist activities and awakened the patriotism and pride of the people of Myanmar. General Council of Burmese Associations (GCBA) The eighth annual conference of the YMBA was held in Pyay in 1920, and the YMBA was renamed the General Council of Burmese Associations (GCBA) to carry out national activities more broadly. The first president of the association was U Chit Hlaing. The people who led the GCBA are modern-educated youth. The objectives of GCBA are, to achieve self-government called Home Rule, appointing Myanmar nationals to high government positions and empowering Myanmar nationals to run businesses. The GCBA's anti-imperialist strategy is non-violent and civil disobedience. The GCBA encouraged the first university strike in 1920 and helped the emergence of National Schools. Under the leadership of the GCBA, the people of Myanmar did not pay capitation and land taxes and did not communicate with the English authorities. GCBA objected to the exploitation of Myanmar's resources, including mining and oil exploration by English companies. GCBA tried to establish the oil industry, textile industry, and Wan Thanu Bank owned by Myanmar. GCBA did not use foreign goods to promote domestic goods. GCBA was split into two due to the Dyarchy administration given by the British. The main GCBA, led by U Chit Hlaing, who did not accept the Diarchy, and the 21- member group led by U Ba Pe, who accepted the Diarchy, would be satisfied with self-government. In 1925, when U Chit Hlaing GCBA split into U Soe Thein GCBA again. From then onwards the GCBA was split into various factions. But, the GCBA is the Association that most inspire the firm development of nationalism and anti-imperialism. Key points The Armed Resistance of the Myanmar people against the British imperialists began after the First Anglo-Myanmar War ( 1824-1826). With the resentment being a subject race, the ethnic groups took up arms and resisted the British with whatever weapons were available. However, they couldn’t unite the people of Myanmar to participate actively in the early resistance movement. Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA) was founded in 1906 by young Myanmar scholars and intellectuals. Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA) was founded in 1906 by young Myanmar scholars and intellectuals. YMBA demanded the British government make reforms in the administration. The British gave Myanmar a Dyarchy. In 1920, YMBA was changed to GCBA (General Council of Burmese Associations ). GCBA helped to develop national schools. Because of Dyarchy given by the British, GCBA was split into various segments. Exercise 1. Explain the role of the leaders of the ethnic groups in the early anti-colonial movements. 2. Write a short note on the following: (a) The political tasks carried out by YMBA (b) Split of GCBA