Question

Explain the following statement with reason.

Myanmar was annexed. 

Answer 1

The British grabbed Myanmar in phases over the nineteenth century as part of their imperial expansion in Asia. The annexation happened through a series of Anglo-Burmese Wars. 

1. First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826): The British fought because they were concerned about Burmese expansion and hazards to their interests in India. As a result, certain Burmese areas were lost.
2. Second Anglo-Burmese War (1852): The British took Lower Burma following conflicts over trade and the treatment of British merchants during the Second Anglo-Burmese War.
3. Third Anglo-Burmese War (1885): To gain control of Upper Burma and secure access to natural resources, the British defeated the entire country, establishing complete British authority over Burma.

Britain wanted to control trade routes and access Myanmar's rich natural resources like teak and oil, so it adopted. Myanmar became a colony in 1937 after its monarchy ended and it merged into British India.