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Myanmars Troubled History
Every few months there is a breaking news story regarding one riot or another in the
conflicted region known as Myanmar or as it was previously called; Burma. So what is
exactly behind the constant unrest and political upheaval in this shy state hidden in the
western portion of mainland Southeast Asia?
Myanmar’s geographical importance is a lot, as it is surrounded by nuclear powers like India
and China.
History and Background
According to Eric Badertscher’s research paper published in the Salem Press Encyclopedia,
‘Burma faced great political and economic instability during the early years of independence
and eventually came under the control of General Ne Win, who ruled the country in one form
or another from 1962, when he orchestrated a military coup to take power, until 1988, when
he was overthrown by another military coup.’ Furthermore, the junta leaders established a
military government, initially known as the State Law and Order Council (SLORC) and
officially changed the country's name to Myanmar. In 1997, the government was renamed the
State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The junta refused to accept the results of the
1990 multiparty elections, which gave the victory to Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for
Democracy (NLD), and maintained power. Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest;