Southeast Asian Nations
Gain Independence
34.2
Outline
 Japan proved after WWI that it
dominated Asia
 This idea made many Asian nations
realize that the Europeans were not
invincible
 So many considered independence
Philippines
 The US granted them independence in 1946
 They wanted to first rebuild their economy
 The US promised them $620 million if they signed
the Bell Act – a treaty that would establish free
trade between the US and the Philippines for 8
years
 The US also wanted to keep a military presence
there
 The US signed a 99 year lease on a military base
Burma
 Gained independence in 1948
 In 1989 it changed its name to Myanmar
 Following independence, Burma had trouble
establishing a solid government
 In 1962, it was to be set up as a socialist state
 But in 1988, their leader stepped down and it
returned to a military state
 Aung San Suu Kyi came forward and began
pressing for democracy…
 She was placed under house arrest for it
 During the 1990 election, her party won 80% of
the seats in the house
 The military govt refused to recognize the new
govt
 She was again placed on house arrest until
2003…