British Burma - Social Unrest and New Political Forces
The worsening economic position of the villagers was reflected in declining prices for paddy and an increased rate of foreclosure, particularly with the onset of the world economic depression in 1930. Hard times led to escalating communal tensions as Burmese cultivators found themselves at the mercy of Chettiar moneylenders and as laborers in the port cities competed with Indian immigrants for scarce jobs. In May 1930 there was a riot in Rangoon involving Burmese and Indian dockworkers. Violence against Indians and Chinese continued throughout the decade. In July 1938 renegade Buddhist monks led Burmese mobs through Rangoon in a rampage of violence in which about 200 Indians were killed. Colonial society, held together in good times by the incentive of mutual profit, was experiencing great strains.
A second wave of unrest had traditional roots. Since the annexation of Upper Burma there had been sporadic uprisings in the rural areas involving a savior-king, or Setkya Min, who promised to liberate the people from the British. The most widespread of these movements, however, appeared in 1930. In October of that year Saya San, a native physician and former member of the radical wing of the GCBA, proclaimed himself king, setting up a palace with royal insignia in Tharrawaddy District north of Rangoon. His agents contacted the unthanu athin in both Upper and Lower Burma. By December revolt had broken out. Although Saya San had been a monk, his movement differed from that of U Ottama in that it drew on magical and animist symbols as well as on those of Buddhism. The peasant rebels, armed with swords and spears against superior British forces, were subdued by 1932, Saya San himself having been captured in the Shan states in August 1931. The revolt posed no real threat to British rule, but some 8,000 soldiers had been needed to suppress it.
During the 1930s nationalists were divided over whether Burma should continue to remain part of India. Those against separation argued that a separate Burma would not be able to take advantage of further political reforms evolving in India unless it were accorded self-governing dominion Status, which the British were not prepared to grant. The British Parliament, however, voted for "separationa nd approved a new costitution for Burma in 1935 over the strenuous opposition of many nationalists. Under the new system a British governor of Burma still retained extensive powers; a nine-member cabinet, appointed by the governor in consultation with an elected House of Representatives, had broader responsibilities than under the dyarchy arrangement. The majority party in the legislature would choose a prime minister. Elections were held in 1936, and when the new constitution was implemented in 1937, Dr. Ba Maw, leader of the Sinyetha (Poor Man's) Party, was chosen prime minister by a coalition of parties.
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