Anglo-Burmese wars

History of Burma
Prehistory 11,000–200 BCE Pyu city-states 200 BCE–1050 CE Mon kingdoms 825?–1057 Arakanese kingdoms 788?–1406
Pagan Dynasty 849–1298 Pagan Empire 1044–1287 Mongol invasions 1277–1301 Warring states period Upper Burma 1298–1555 Myinsaing 1298–1313 Pinya 1313–1364 Sagaing 1315–1364 Ava 1364–1555 Prome 1482–1542 Ramanya 1287–1539 Shan states 1215–1557 Arakan 1430–1785 Toungoo Dynasty 1510–1752 Toungoo Empire 1530–1599 Nyaungyan period 1599–1752 Restored Hanthawaddy 1740–1757 Konbaung Dynasty 1752–1885 Anglo-Burmese wars 1824–1885
British colonial period 1824–1948 Nationalist movement 1900–1948 Japanese occupation 1942–1945 State of Burma 1943–1945
Modern era 1948–present Union of Burma 1948–1962 Socialist Republic 1962–1988 Union of Myanmar 1988–2010 Republic of the Union of Myanmar 2010–present
Timeline List of capitals List of leaders Military history
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There have been three Burmese Wars or Anglo-Burmese Wars:

• First Anglo-Burmese War (1824 to 1826)^[1]
• Second Anglo-Burmese War (1852 to 1853)^[1][2]
• Third Anglo-Burmese War (1885 to 1886)^[3]

War with Britain and the fall of Burma

The expansion of Burma had consequences along its frontiers. As those frontiers moved ever closer to British India, there were problems both with refugees and military operations spilling over ill-defined borders.^[1] In response to the continued expansion and even direct attacks by Burma, the British and the Siamese joined forces against it in 1824.

First Anglo-Burmese War

The First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826) ended in a British victory, and by the Treaty of Yandabo, Burma lost territory previously conquered in Assam, Manipur, and Arakan.^[2] The British also took possession of Tenasserim with the intention to use it as a bargaining chip in future negotiations with either Burma or Siam.^[4] As the century wore on, the British in India began to covet the resources and main part of Burma during an era of great territorial expansion.^[5]

Second Anglo-Burmese War

In 1852, Commodore Lambert was dispatched to Burma by Lord Dalhousie over a number of minor issues related to the previous treaty.^[2] The Burmese immediately made concessions including the removal of a governor whom the British had made their casus belli. Lambert eventually provoked a naval confrontation in extremely questionable circumstances and thus started the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852, which ended in the British annexation of Pegu province,^[1] renamed Lower Burma. The war resulted in a palace revolution in Burma, with King Pagan Min (1846–1852) being replaced by his half brother, Mindon Min (1853–1878).^[2]

Third Anglo-Burmese War

King Mindon tried to modernise the Burmese state and economy to resist British encroachments, and he established a new capital at Mandalay, which he proceeded to fortify.^[1][6] This was not enough to stop the British, however, who claimed that Mindon's son Thibaw Min (ruled 1878–1885) was a tyrant intending to side with the French,^[7] that he had lost control of the country, thus allowing for disorder at the frontiers, and that he was reneging on a treaty signed by his father.^[1] The British declared war once again in 1885, conquering the remainder of the country in the Third Anglo-Burmese War resulting in total annexation of Burma.^[1][3]

See also

• Burma Campaign (World War II)

References