1962 Burmese coup d'état

The 1962 Burmese coup d'état occurred when Myanmar’s military, led by General Ne Win, overthrew the democratically elected government of Prime Minister U Nu. Frustrated with political instability, economic problems, and fears of communist influence, the military seized power, ending parliamentary democracy. Ne Win established a military-controlled government and later implemented a socialist, one-party system, which led to decades of authoritarian rule, economic isolation, and suppression of political freedoms. The coup marked a major turning point, shifting Myanmar from a democratic state toward military-led dictatorship.