The Road to Independence

      Even though there were lots of improvement during British rule, the college students in Burma, wanted Burma to be independent. Accordingly, the college students commenced a protest to have a part in the government. (6) These small protests didn’t really make any change, but then Buddhist monks decided to be involved in the protest, because Burma was a Buddhist country. But the protest was still unsuccessful. Sooner or Later, two student leaders,Thakin Nu and Thakin Aung San organized a student strike. After years of protest, in 1937, The British separated Burma from India, and was acknowledged as a separate nation, and the British gave Burma partial government power. But, some people thought that these changes weren't enough, so the fight for independence continued. 


       Hence Aung San and 29 other nationalists, known as the 30 comrades joined Japan in driving the British out. (5) The thirty comrades traveled to Japan to receive military training and to gain Japanese support. (6) Burma received aid from Japan, and was finally able to drive out the British. But before leaving, the British destroyed tons of oil fields, railways, rice paddies, and other economic resources. (2) In 1943, Burma received independence from Britain, but Burma was now under Japanese rule. Burma hated Japanese rule more than the British rule, because there was less freedom. Thus the Burmese people formed the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL) which was led by Aung San. With this league, and the help of Britain, Burma was able to defeat Japan. Aung San was elected as prime minister to lead Burma but he was assassinated, and so his assistant U Nu received the position instead. (1) Aung San was assassinated at age 32, which made Burma worry, because they had now lost their most trusted leader among all the experienced political leaders. (6)