Abstract: This paper examines Burma's turbulent initial years of independence, during which the country faced existential challenges including widespread armed rebellions and overt foreign interference which placed it at the heart of the Cold War in Asia. Amid this volatile environment, the government in Rangoon painstakingly forged a non-aligned foreign policy, positioning the country as a pioneer and leader in the global non-alignment movement during the post-war era.

Keywords: Burma, independence, rebellion, non-alignment, colonialism, Cold War

Summary

Even though gaining independence from the British Empire seemed as a done deal for the Burmese freedom fighters who had undergone tremendous tribulations during the Second World War years, securing independence was no easy task, particularly because it left numerous unresolved political and ethnic issues that would ultimately test the new government and push the emerging Burmese state to the brink of collapse. Being situated at the crossroads of Asia, between India and China, as well as between the two newly established superpower blocs of the East and West, Burma’s geopolitical position was bound to draw a lot of unwanted attention from all great and regional powers, as well as directly involve their political and military players on the ground into the process of deciding country’s future inner and foreign policy courses. As soon as the country became independent in January 1948, a massive political and ethnic uprising erupted, setting the entire country aflame and jeopardizing the survival of the Rangoon government, which was defended by only a handful of inadequately trained and equipped troops. Furthermore, the government received little significant foreign backing in its efforts to safeguard the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Only through their own astuteness and ultimate prowess demonstrated in dealing with a plethora of internal and external troubles, new Burmese leadership had managed to overcome all these challenges, largely quell the rebellion, and gain more political ground abroad by skillfully balancing between different power centers when trying to solicit more financial and military aid. Through these serious trials Burma’s non-aligned position was ultimately forged, thus putting the nation at the heart of future efforts of propelling non-alignment’s global reach and influence in the following period.