Colonization of Burma
The British Empire and the
Conquest of Burma Maya Brauer
The beginnings of colonization
The Colonization of Burma For more than a century, Britain, the world’s greatest empire ruled Burma, a small state in SouthEast Asia. The colonization lasted from 1824 to 1948, during which Burma was at one point, a province of British India, which was also known as the British Raj. This section will examine British motives of imperialism, the Anglo-burmese wars, Maintenance of authority, and the Burma under British rule.
Flag of the British Raj
The British Empire
Throughout most of history, the British empire has been the greatest and most expansive the world has ever seen. The British empire at its height, contained more than one quarter of the earth’s total land area, and controlled more than 35 separate countries and colonies.
The British Raj
The British Raj was the Indian subcontinent under British rule during the latter half of the 19th century, up until the first half of the 20th. It contained the modern states of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, and later Burma. A map of current Burma BURMA
A map of the British Raj during 1890s
Motives for Imperialism
There were a number of reasons why Britain wanted to colonize Burma. These are a few of the motives:
Economic Britain was looking to expand its trade with more countries, and Burma was on the direct trade routes with China and British India. Burma also had natural resources such as oil, tin, coal, gold, teak forests, jewels, and fertile rice fields which would generate income for Britain.
Social
Britain was superior to lesser countries such as Burma, and therefor deserved to rule them. There was also competition with other imperialist countries, which strengthened Britain’s desire to colonize.
The three battles Political
Burma’s government was an easy target, as it was ruled by one king, rather than by a political party. Furthermore, Britain wanted to expand it’s empire and gain territory in the new world, as there was pressure from other empires.
Geopolitical
The bay of bengal (Burma’s Western side) had easy access points by ships, which Britain would benefit from. In addition, there was good trade by other countries going to these Burmese harbors.
The Anglo-Burmese Wars
“As an expanding empire, Burma was regarded with some apprehension [by the British]...Continuing westward expansion threatened the possibility for conflict” Primary source 1: painting of the First AngloBurmese war (1824)
-Anthony Webster in “Gentleman Capitalists: British Imperialism in SouthEast Asia”
The Colonization of Burma happened over three Anglo-Burmese wars. Before the wars, Burma was an expanding empire, and wanted to expand into British India, and therefor threatened the British empire.
First war (1823~1826) The First Anglo-Burmese war was provoked when the Burmese empire demanded to have their slaves, who had fled to British soil, retuned. It was a surprisingly long-fought battle, and British casualties numbered up to more than 20,000. However, there was victory for Britain in the end, and it gained the Northern part of Burma.
Second war (1852~1853) The second was a rather minor war, provoked when the Burmese violated the treaty of the first war. It was fairly one sided, and Britain only encountered very slight opposition from the Burmese. This battle brought territory of Lower Burma, which contained most of the trading ports.
Third war (1885~1887) Vocabulary Irrawaddy river: the main and largest river of Burma, also the most important commercial waterway.
Ongoing disputes between the Burmese government and the British trading company lead to the breakout of the third war. Catching Burma off her guard, Britain sent ships into the Irrawaddy river. With little struggle from Burma, Britain successfully annexed the whole of the Burmese empire. This in 1897 became a state of the British Raj.
Maintaining Authority
Maintenance of Authority Why was Britain able to maintain power in Burma for so long? The following are just a few reasons.
Armed Forces
Primary source 2: Photograph of Arrival of British Forces in Burma (1885)
“With the arrival of the British, the Burmese economy became tied to global market forces and... [became] a part of the colonial export economy” Education
With the arrival of British power came proper education for Burmese youth. Schools taught both English and Burmese. Christianity was taught in replacement of Buddhism and Burmese culture, which were unsuitable for the young people of British Burma. The new education system taught loyalty and faith in Great Britain, thus preventing rebellious behavior. Vocabulary Direct rule: system of government wherein the central government (in this case Britain) controls the states or provinces. Indirect rule: system of government wherein the central government relies on an already existing political structure for governance.
After colonization, many of the Burmese refused to accept defeat, and used guerrilla warfare to rebel against the British army. However, Britain had very strong armed forces which relocated disloyal families, and corrected rebellious behavior, thus oppressing the terrorists and helping to maintain British control in Burma.
Economy When the British empire came to power, Burma’s economy started to become involved in global trade. Rice, which was in high demand became the main export of Burma, bringing it much wealth. Trade, which promoted economic growth, was a benefit to the Burmese economy, as it vastly increased profits.
Government Britain controlled Burma through direct rule rather than indirect rule. Because the government was governed by the British, there was no Burmese political party that could rebel against the authority of Britain, and therefor challenge its government.
The King’s Exile As soon as Britain came to power, the King of Burma was exiled, and his reign came to an end. This allowed the British to have absolute power over the state, without interference from the former leader. This prevented the Burmese people from distraction from British loyalty.
Effects on Burma
Life in British Burma
Once Great Britain had taken over in Burma, many adjustments were made to the country in several respects. Some were short term effects, and some were long term.
Short Term Effects Guerrilla warfare
Because the Burmese failed to recognize their loss, former officers of the Royal British Army organized guerrillas to revolt against the British. In order to discipline this sort of behavior that was disloyal to Great Britain, British armies replaced disloyal families with loyal families. This only continued for a few years after the war, and peace was brought back into Burma after.
Long Term Effects Industrialization
Before Britain, Burma had very little infrastructure, and few ways of transportation. However, with the arrival of the British, industrialization occurred. Railroads and steamboats were built for transportation, and buildings were built for various purposes. These advancements made Burma a better place to live in.
Education/Religion
For the youths in Burma, a new educational system was organized, and new schools were built. British christian missionaries were encouraged to found new Western-style schools in Burma. The schools taught English and Burmese, and christianity, which was more advantageous in the new world, than Buddhism was.
Culture
With colonization, the British brought in many new cultural advancements. A new sport called cricket was introduced, and later a national Burmese cricket team was created. There was influence on Burmese literature, and new genres of fiction such as espionage, detective work, romance, and adventure were incorporated into writing. The Burmese custom of eating with their hands was extremely unsanitary. As a result of the introduction of eating utensils such as knives, forks, and spoons, many diseases were prevented.
Knowledge Review
1. What were Britain’s motives for colonizing Burma? List four factors of motivation. 2. What action by the Burmese empire provoked the first Anglo-Burmese war? 3. Explain the five factors that allowed Britain to maintain control in the Burmese state after colonization. 4. Describe and Explain the long and short terms effects of British colonization on Burma.
Citations: • • • • • • • • • • •
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Images • Hooper, Wallace Wallace. Photograph of the Arrival of British Forces in Mandalay, 1885. 1885. • • • • • •
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