Today, Aung San Suu Kyi is the most important figure in Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi was born in Yangoon, Burma in 1945, and is still living. She lived as a middle class citizen growing up, because her father, General Aung San, played a popular and important role in the Burmese government. She tried to change the military run government of Burma. She was educated at the University of Oxford, and gained an honorary doctor of law degree at the American University in Washington D.C. The education she gained at these prestigious schools did not influence her political action, because her father was the one who influenced her. He fought for Burma's independence, but was tragically assassinated at a treaty signing in England, which would have given Burma its independence.
Before World War II and the British control, Burma was a prospering land. The condition of Burma was a disaster after World War II.
Aung San's mansion in Bagan, 2007
May 2009 demonstration for Aung San Suu Kyi in Rom...
English: Aung San Suu Kyi greeting supporters from...The new government was pressured with overwhelming economic and social problems. During the time of chaos Ne Win seized power from the head of the government, Prime Minister U Nu, with help from his military colleagues. His power was based on rebellion and nationalism. He right away arrested Burma's political leaders, dissolved the parliament, threw out the constitution, and executed all those who opposed him. His power was maintained by the military. The military silenced protesters, and could mainly do as they please. The social structure of Burma is divided into two parts. The military and General President Ne Win on top, and everyone else, opposing or not, are the lower class. The citizens of Burma have no say in what goes on, because it's against the law to question or criticize the government. The military runs everything and everybody, and those who oppose are...