Myanmar’s Civil War

1. Set Focus 
Pose this essential question: What prompts everyday people to fight back against an oppressive government?

2. Read and Discuss 
Have students read the article, marking key ideas and questions. Then ask them to answer the following questions, citing text evidence:

• What has been the military’s role in governing Myanmar since 1962? Why is Myanmar in the midst of a civil war right now? (In 1962, the military seized control of what was then called Burma, which had gained independence from Great Britain in 1948. But, largely because of economic desperation, the military agreed to share power with a civilian government in 2011. Myanmar is experiencing a civil war today because in 2021, the military once again seized total control of the country despite the popularity of its democratically elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.)

• How does the author begin the article? Which central idea of the article does this opening help establish? (The author begins the article with an anecdote about a 72-year-old in Myanmar who plays a video game that allows him to imagine that rebel forces have defeated the army. This opening helps establish this central idea: Many everyday people do not support the military coup.)

• How has the military coup of 2021 affected the stability of Myanmar? How has it affected young people? (The coup has created violent upheaval across Myanmar, has adversely affected the economy, and has caused public institutions to collapse. Young people have lost their jobs and feel their future has been stolen, and some have chosen to take up arms against the military.)

3. Core Skill Practice
Assign, print, or project the activity In Their Words. Have students identify the speaker for each quotation from the article and paraphrase his or her words.

4. Writing Prompt
What do the photographs in the article and the slideshow add to your understanding of the topic? Explain in a brief essay.

5. Classroom Debate
Should Aung San Suu Kyi be the face of Myanmar’s democracy movement?

6. Quiz & Skills
Assess comprehension with the quiz.