Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League

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Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League

political organization, Myanmar

Also known as: AFPFL

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June 17, 2026

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The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL) was a significant political organization in Myanmar, instrumental in the country's struggle for independence from Great Britain. Founded in 1944 as an underground nationalist movement, it united various political parties under a common front. Aung San, a key nationalist leader, was a central figure in the AFPFL, serving as its deputy chairman and leading negotiations for Burma's independence. The AFPFL achieved widespread popular support and won a decisive victory in the 1947 election for a constitutional assembly, securing 196 out of 202 seats. Despite internal divisions and the assassination of Aung San and other leaders in July 1947, the AFPFL continued to be a dominant political force, leading Myanmar to independence on January 4, 1948.123

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Thakin Than Tun
…was general secretary of the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL).
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…was general secretary of the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL).
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Aung San
Having helped form the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL), an underground movement of nationalists, in 1944, Aung San used that united front to become deputy chairman of Burma’s Executive Council in late 1946. In effect he was prime minister but remained subject to the British governor’s veto. After conferring…
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Having helped form the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL), an underground movement of nationalists, in 1944, Aung San used that united front to become deputy chairman of Burma’s Executive Council in late 1946. In effect he was prime minister but remained subject to the British governor’s veto. After conferring…
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U Nu
…Burma’s leading political party, the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL). When independence was declared in January 1948, U Nu became the first prime minister of Myanmar and served for 10 years, with only a brief interlude out of office in 1956–57. Although U Nu was an able and highly respected…
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…Burma’s leading political party, the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL). When independence was declared in January 1948, U Nu became the first prime minister of Myanmar and served for 10 years, with only a brief interlude out of office in 1956–57. Although U Nu was an able and highly respected…
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U Saw
…a major opponent of the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL), which was led by Aung San. U Saw went with Aung San to London to negotiate with British Prime Minister Clement Attlee, but he refused to sign the agreement for Burma’s independence of Jan. 27, 1947, on the grounds that…
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…a major opponent of the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL), which was led by Aung San. U Saw went with Aung San to London to negotiate with British Prime Minister Clement Attlee, but he refused to sign the agreement for Burma’s independence of Jan. 27, 1947, on the grounds that…
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Myanmar
World War II and after
…called the Anti-Fascist Organization—renamed the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL) after the war—which had wide popular support. After the defeat of the Japanese in Burma in May 1945, the British military administration and members of the prewar government who had returned from exile demanded that Aung San be tried as…
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…called the Anti-Fascist Organization—renamed the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL) after the war—which had wide popular support. After the defeat of the Japanese in Burma in May 1945, the British military administration and members of the prewar government who had returned from exile demanded that Aung San be tried as…
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