VII. The Contemporary Period, 1945–2000 > F. South and Southeast Asia, 1945–2000 > 2. Southeast Asia, 1941–2000 > b. Mainland Southeast Asia
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
(See 1942, March 8)
 
b. Mainland Southeast Asia
1. Myanmar (Burma)
 
 
1946, Dec. 20
 
The British government invited a Burmese delegation to meet in London and discuss the early achievement of self-government for Burma.  1
 
1947, Jan. 28
 
An agreement between British and Burmese leaders called for a constituent assembly.  2
 
April 9
 
Election of constituent assembly. The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL), founded in World War II in opposition to cooperation with the Japanese, was headed by U Aung San and received an overwhelming majority.  3
 
June 17
 
The constituent assembly unanimously adopted a resolution calling for an “independent sovereign republic to be known as the Union of Burma.”  4
 
July 19
 
U Aung San and several members of his provisional government were assassinated by political opponents under the direction of former premier U Saw.  5
U Aung San had been the single political figure capable of bridging differences between the various warring political factions: he had the allegiance of the army, the trust of the Communists, and the support of the various ethnolinguistic communities, who in the preindependence “excluded areas” had remained relatively unaffected by colonial Burma's nationalist politics and modern economy. The assassins were tried and executed (May 8, 1948).  6
 
July, 20
 
Thakin Nu, vice president of the AFPFL, formed a new government.  7
 
Sept. 24–25
 
The new constitution was adopted by the constituent assembly, and Sao Shwe Thaik, the sawbwa (ruler) of Yawnghwe (one of the largest of the Shan states), was elected provisional president.  8
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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