Ne Win Biography

Appointed Brigadier

Brigadier in the newly founded Burmese Army

Appointed Commander in Chief of the Army

Appointed Party Leader of the Burma Socialist Program Party

Appointed Prime Minister of Burma

Ne Win becomes caretaker Prime Minister to restore order before elections

Leads a military-backed caretaker government under constitutional arrangements

Transfers power back to elected civilian government

Leads the military coup & becomes dictator ruling through the Revolutionary Council

Publication of "The Burmese Way to Socialism". Combines Buddhist thought with Marxist theory as the nations official policy

Seizes power from U Nu

Ne Win seizes power and becomes head of state and government

Appointed President of Burma

Ne Win chairs the Revolutionary Government after abolishing parliamentary rule

The military government announces socialist policies leading to extensive nationalization of trade and industry

Bans all political parties

Former President U Nu is released & tries to invade Burma from Thailand but fails

Resigns from the army to conceal his authority

Appointed State President of Burma

Ne Win becomes President under the 1974 socialist constitution

New constitution formalizes BSPP one-party socialist rule

Resigns as President but retains the essential position as head of the party

Ne Win steps down as President while retaining party dominance

Currency reforms are aimed at the black marketeers but robbing people of their savings. Banknotes in denominations of 25 Kyats or greater are declared worthless

Students demonstrate, they are broken up by the army who kill about 200 & arrest 3000

Students demonstrate, they are broken up by the army who kill about 200 & arrest 3000

Universities are closed & a dusk-to-dawn curfew is placed on Rangoon & other cities

Announces resignation as Party Chairman at the Party Conference