What Were The Economic Causes of the Saffron Revolution? By: Kaitlyn Jeon
Long-term Economic Causes
There were long-term causes to the Saffron Revolution which were connected to the unfair distribution of the revenue from the natural resources. Burma is a country that is rich of natural resources. Especially full of teak, pearls, rubies, jade, and sapphires. Furthermore, the country had highly fertile soil. They also had offshore oil and gas deposits. As a result, all of these combined brought Burma billions of dollars annually.
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Children in Burma
The military government was responsible for the distribution of benefits from the natural resources. Asian Correspondent editor, Zin Linn states, “Burma ranks 172 out of 176 of the most corrupt countries”. Although natural resources would have made Burma a rich country, the mismanagement of money led them to rank 172. They also rank 149th least developed out of 176 countries. All of the benefits and profits made from the natural resources go straight to the military government. The government keeps the money, and does not give it out to the citizens who have worked for it. Because of this, the ruling class lives in luxury. In contrast, normal citizens are poor.
Burma's Military Junta
Moreover, hospitals and schools in Burma are not as developed as they should be compared to the money that comes in annually. As critics point out, the Junta, which is also known as the military government, has no interest in improving the country’s economy. The Junta’s hoarding the profits widens the economic gap between citizens and rulers. Senior generals of the Junta have absolutely no interest in economic growth.
Gas station was put on fire after the increased prices were announced
Short-term Economic Causes
An increase in gas prices fuelled the anger of the citizens who were displeased with the unfair distribution of benefits from natural resources. On August 15th of 2007, the government of Burma decided to remove fuel subsidies from the citizens. This was a selfish act that did not regard the economic situation of the citizens. According to Altsean, Natural gas prices increased by 500%, diesel prices increased by 100%, and petrol prices increased by ⅔. As expected, buses and taxis doubled their fares, and 60% of city buses did not operate that day. City buses later returned a day or two later, but their prices were also doubled.
These increased prices quickly impacted Burma’s economy. As a result of the increase in gas prices, Burmese citizens were not able to go to work. Food prices increased as well, which led to hungry and angry citizens. In addition, several businesses were forced to close due to rising costs.
All of these factors angered the citizens of Burma. Citizens were already poor due to the mismanagement of money by the Junta. In addition, the government kept pressuring them for gas money. The citizens were angry with the unfair government. The ruling class lived a luxurious life, while the average citizens were poor.
What were the Political Causes of the Saffron Revolution? By: Kaitlyn Jeon
Aung San Suu Kyi and General Aung San
Long-term Political Causes
For about fifty years, the oppressive, intolerant Military Junta has held power over Burma. According to Beina Xu, and Eleanor Albert, The Military had held power over since 1962 to 2011 after General Aung San’s assassination. The Junta has been known for staging election throughout the years in order to stay in power. Furthermore, the Junta had imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi, General Aung San’s daughter, for twelve years in order to tam democratic movements and changes.
Throughout the years of their regime, the Junta has been known for being unfair and violent towards the citizens of their country. The Junta has been accused several times for abusing human-rights. Responsibility to Protect points out that they were blamed for forcibly relocating citizens, forced labor (including child), child soldiers, sexual violence, illegal killing and torture, and mistreatment of minorities. The Junta has been known for being violent towards its’ citizens. During the protests in 1988, the Junta had responded violently, killing over 3,000 people. They had also taken all benefits from natural resources. The Juntahas no interest in improving the country’s economy, and do not care about their poor citizens.
Short-term Political Causes
TheJunta had increased the country’s gas prices without regarding its’ economic situation. The Junta is responsible for the country’s economy. Their decisions had led to Burma ranking 172 out of 176 most corrupt, and 149 out of 187 undeveloped. This decision led natural gas prices to increase by 500%, petrol prices by ⅔, and diesel prices by 100%. Rising the prices was a fatal mistake, since citizens were already poor. This worsened the situation, and people were not able to go to work. The increase in gas prices had pressured citizens who were already struggling due to the Junta’s economic mismanagement.
What Role did the monks and Buddhist Religion play during the Revolution? By: Aisling Halliden
Many things played a role and had an impact on the Saffron Revolution, however, Buddhism played a crucial role, as well as the monks who practiced that religion. The monks role included their critical participation in political boycotts that took place and their major fight for peace and democracy for the citizens of Burma. Furthermore, Buddhism had an impact on the way the monks responded to the government’s actions, such as their principals about non-violence.
The monks have certain principles about violence and this plays into what occurred during the Revolution, especially their movement for peace and democracy. The monks had a religious boycott as a fight for their peace and democracy in the country. In addition to these protests, as a sign of defiance, the monks refused to execute religious ceremonies for members of the regime. Because of those actions, the regime was hurt significantly. As well as this they turned their alms bowls upside down to show that they wouldn’t accept alms from the generals. This was also in an effort to deny blessings for generals. Doing this was the same as ex-communication or restricting the military’s rights.
Just like the big role the monks and buddhism had in relation to their principals about non-violence, they also had a pivotal role in the political boycotts that took place. On August 28, 2007 monks took part in a protest in Sittwe .The monks and many of the Burma citizens took part in this protest because of the high fuel prices. Because of this protest the military came and fought back with violence, killing 31 people. As well as the deaths of many people, hundreds of monks were arrested. After this happened monks demanded that all remaining political prisoners be set free and all citizens of Burma be granted basic human rights. In addition, to these demands they also wanted and apology for the violence they brought on.
Like stated before, a lot of what the monks did during the Revolution revolved around the principals about non-violence. The Buddhist Religion teaches non-violence and to get rid of the ugly-unrest, as said by the monks, they should use the weapon of loving-kindness. One of the several important rules of the Buddhist Religion is not to kill anything. It was very important for the monks to stay true to this during the Revolution because they did not want to cause any more violence. The monks used the members of the regime as their teacher because in the Buddhist Religion it was believed that your enemy could be your best teacher. Everything that the monks did and the Buddhist Religion influenced them to do had an effect on what happened throughout the entirety of the Revolution. Whether it was the monks participation in political boycotts or their principals about violence and how that played into what happened, they had a huge role that affected the outcome of the Revolution. They used their kindness to respond to violence and different symbols to defy the government and show their protest. The Role of Religion and Monks during the Saffron Revolution.
What Economic Outcomes Occurred After/During the Saffron Revolution? By: Michael Pokorski
During the revolution
The cause for the saffron revolution was the rise in gasoline prices, people couldn't afford any basic necessities, and had to giver all they had just to stay alive, the citizens tried to tell the government, but the government didn't care, so the citizens decided to protest. Due to the rapid increase in prices, regular citizens had couldn’t even buy a full tank of gas at the gas station because they couldn’t afford a full tank. Because prices were raised, people would buy less products. This resulted in many businesses going out of business, which also happened to slow Burma’s economy to a crawl, However, after the revolution the Burmese government decided to finally recreate their economy, and build it better than before.
After the revolution
Because Burma was starting to lower prices for gasoline, other companies started to lower their prices as well, eventually the prices of everything got back to what they originally were, affordable. As soon as the prices were lowered people could finally buy gasoline at an affordable price, just like every other product, the revolution then ended because the complaints about prices were gone. Eventually the Burmese economy started to grow slowly, until they finally regained their economy from before the revolution, mostly due to their improved management for their economy, and the bad economy management happened to be the cause for the revolution in the first place.
How did the government react to revolutionaries' actions? By: Daniel Song
A violent crackdown of Junta
On September 19, 2007, the first protest during the ‘Saffron revolution’ occurred. At first, the government showed restraint in order to stop the protest. However, the protests grew immensely within a few days. In addition, the protesters continued protesting, ignoring the restraint of the Burmese government. Eventually, on September 26, the Burmese government opened fire to the protesters and many victims were injured or detained. The Junta was so violent that more than 30 people died and thousands of people were injured or detained.
The first protest of the ‘Saffron revolution’ was held in the streets of Rangoon on August 19th. The protesters and pre-democracy activists led this protest against price rising of natural gases. After this protest, other protests were held in other Burmese cities. On September 5th, the three monks were injured when the burmese troops tried crack down the protest. And this event makes monks join in this protest. Soon, Buddhist monks joined this protest. The protests escalated and occurred frequently.
Before this violent suppression, the government showed restraint toward protesters. The first suppression was a minor suppression. They banned the gatherings, opened fire warning shots, and threatening protesters with military forces. The monks demanded an apology about the injured monks on September 5, but the burmese government refused to apologise. This showed how the government react to protesters or citizens. The government had arrested many protesters, including, 13 prominent leaders of the Saffron revolution.
The protests were getting bigger, ignoring the government’s warning. Finally, more than thousands of monks and citizens were involved in Saffron revolution. Although, a lot of people were detained by government, they didn't stop protesting. Even, a group of detained pre-democracy protesters launched hunger strike, demanding medical treatment for injured protesters.
Eventually, on September 26th, the government opened fire and attack with tear gas to protesters in Shwedagon Pagoda and arrested thousands people and detained them. They arrested prominent leaders of Saffron revolution and lots of protesters even they were involved minor part of the protests. Also, the government attempted to reduce public awareness and communication around the protests shutting down internet.
The result of this violent suppression was terrible. Burma’s government announced that 10 people were dead, but the UN estimated that over 30 people were dead. The government arrested 3,000 ~ 4,000 people in September and October. After the government’s violent crackdown, less people started to join protests due to fear. Although there weren’t as many people, protests still went on. for democratic change in Burma.
How was the International community impacted by the Saffron Revolution and what was their reaction? By: Lenka Ngo
Myanmar is a smaller country in Southeast Asia, also known as Burma. Since Burma isn’t very “known” and/or isn’t very “famous”, the International community wasn’t bothered by the Junta’s cruelty , until the Saffron Revolution. However, China saw the advantages of being close to Burma from the beginning. China itself has build a close relationship with Myanmar. Not only because China wants stability on its borders, which we can see that Burma can not provide it, but also because Burma is a great source for gas and oil.
As a result, from unannounced decision from the government to remove fuel substances that powers literally everything in Burma, people started to protest. Although the the Junta stayed quiet for the first few days, they lost their patience after a while and cracked down in full force, and on September 27, the Junta forces killed 31 demonstrators and injured many more. The government then prohibited bigger gathers than five people. The bloodshed that the military Junta had brought against the protesters had then caught attention of the International community.
The response of the International community was negative. The US, EU and Australia had raised sanctions on Burma after the violence the Junta used against the unarmed protesters, and as was jointly declared by the European Nations and the United States: “We condemn all violence against peaceful demonstrators and remind the country's leaders of their personal responsibilities for their actions.” The United Nations had yet threatened the Junta more sanctions. Although the Western Sanctions had also tried, but have failed. However, there is still hope for changing Myanmar for the better.
China, one of the closest allies and economic supporters of the Junta, was internationally pressured to stop the brutal acts of the government during the Saffron Revolution. The unsuccessful “Saffron Revolution” was an unpleasant development for the Chinese government. It has not only tarnished China’s reputation for the Beijing 2008 Olympics run up, but furthermore, It had put China under the international pressure to use its relations with Burma to stop the Junta.
China itself now offers the only hope for changing Burma. Even though, it is a very small hope, since China had stated that they will not interfere with the internal business of other countries.
What Role did Religion play in the Saffron Revolution? By: Mila Virk
Buddhism played a major role in the Saffron Revolution. Since it is a large part of Burmese culture, the monks are highly revered by the Burmese people. Due to 90% of the country being Buddhist, the religion plays a major part in the lives of many. In addition, the community of Buddhist monks in the country reaches a sizeable 400 000, which is the same size as its military. Monks play an important role in the Buddhist community and in the religious aspect of the lives of Burmese people. Monks are admired and respected in the society. Providing spiritual leadership and helping with social welfare, they do a lot for the Burmans. Filling the education gap, they aided and supported education. This was especially important because of the lack of money from the country’s budget directed at the the health and education departments. Only 60 pence per capita was used for these departments. Monastic schools helped and added to the lacking of education and schools in the country.
Due to Burma’s large Buddhist population, the performance(s) of religious rituals that were done by the monks were of high interest of the people. Not only that, but even some of the Buddhist senior military would attend these rituals. All of these things contribute to the monks’ high position in society.
Monks played a prominent role in the revolution as they were the largest opposition of the regime/Junta and lead the fight against it. The Buddhist monks had a strong aversion to the Junta’s ways, going as far as to calling it the ‘enemy of the people’. Proceeding to say they will continue to fight against Burma until it is ridded of the military dictatorship, monks were not afraid to publicly declare and make clear that they disagree with the way their country was being run and the peopled treated. Because monks rarely associated or involved themselves with politics, their involvement in the revolution was that much more significant, making this quite the statement. As the battle against the Junta continued, so did the monks’ actions. Not only were they sending a powerful message, they were giving courage to the people.
The monks continued the fight for a better government and rebelled against the regime in a form of boycott where monks refused to accept any alms or perform any religious rituals for members of the Junta. Turning their alm bowls down and refusing to accept any alms (donations) from members of the Junta was the monks’ peaceful way of making a powerful stand against the Junta. By doing so, the monks were essentially denying the generals the blessings of Buddha, which, in Burma, is rather significant considering the level of importance Buddhism has in society. This action of turning over the alm bowls really affected and surprised Burma, and greatly harmed the dictatorship/Junta.
As time passed, the revolution progressed and protests and demonstrations grew, spreading to cities across Burma. This in turn caused the police’s suppression and resistance to increase, but with this, the once peaceful protests became violent. On September 5th, a peaceful demonstration was taking place, but was then disrupted by government troops. With a goal of breaking up the demonstration, the government troops ended up injuring three monks. Some monks were beaten, while others were taken into custody. The revolution quickly escalated from here, bringing a new wave of protests. Because the monks were looked up to in Burma, it caused quite the uproar. Taking government officials hostage, the monks demanded an apology. The Junta refused the apology, but this only added to the revolution, worsening it. The monks proceeded to protest in greater numbers and groups and pulled out religious services from the military. This created an immense amount of tension between the monks and the Junta, acting as a form of protest.