The British conquered Burma in the 19th century and made it a British colony. The Burmese gained independence from Great Britain in 1948, but the new Bumese government was not strong and could not control the country. Since independence Burma has had many leaders. The military took power in 1962. The military government did not support democratic rule. Now Myanmar is ruled by a military govenment called the Law and Order estoration Council. They changed the country's name to Myanmar. In 1990 they held democratic elections for the first time, but they would not allow the winning party to govern. Until now the country is having a civil war. Some people support the government of the Law and Order Restoration Council.