Suu Kyi had just been another ordinary citizen living in London, but now was at the center of the democratic movement for Burma (Yeoh, Thewlis, Raggett). The response was overwhelming and led people to tears (Bengtsson 36). Her speech inspired more rallies and it "was no longer possible to control the masses of people" (Begtsson 36). This greatly troubled the military junta who did not know what to do with her immediate popularity. If they let her continue, they would be toppled from government. If they tried to repress her, she would be labeled a hero like her father, which would escalate the disturbances into a revolution. .

             The military junta decided upon a strategy of containing Aung San Suu Kyi. They placed her under house arrest in 1989 ("Timeline: Aung San Suu Kyi and Amnesty International "). They also denied her husband and children visas to prevent them from visiting Burma (Yeoh, Thewlis, Raggett). She only saw her husband once more prior to his death of cancer in 1999 (McCain 229). The government's decision to put her under house arrest hurt her personally by not seeing her family. However, this added to her mystique and fueled more international publicity for the NLD movement in Burma. .

             Suu Kyi's house arrest also caught the attention of human rights organizations. Immediately Amnesty International started drawing attention to her situation and adopted her as a prisoner of conscience ("Timeline: Aung San Suu Kyi and Amnesty International "). Tee shirts and posters were made to promote for freedom in Burma ("Upcoming Tee Featuring Aung San Suu Kyi")i. They tugged at the emotions of the world and used the separation of her family to engender support (Yeoh, Tewlis, Raggett). This immediate response by these organizations prompted governments to take action against the atrocities in Burma. .

             The National League for Democracy was successful in the elections of 1990 with Suu Kyi as its leading figure.