Chapter 11 Section 5: Imperialism in Southeast Asia

Chapter 11 Section 5: Imperialism in Southeast Asia

Introduction

• Europeans and others sought to control Southeast Asia for a few reasons 

  - One of the most important was the ability for them to use this area as a staging area for their navies.

• Naval vessels needed places in which to refuel.  

  - This would lead to a scramble for islands in the pacific ocean starting with Southeast Asia.

  
  

The Dutch in Southeast Asia 

The Dutch in Southeast Asia 

• Private Dutch East India Company had been a “middle man” in trade since the 1600’s and expanded control of entire island chain now called Indonesia by mid 1800’s

• Dutch set up plantations growing tropical agricultural products like sugar, coffee, cocoa, rubber and fruits for importation to Europe

  - Dutch also import tin and oil for industrial use

• Large numbers of Dutch people moved permanently to Indonesia and create a ridged social class system favoring Europeans over native people.

• Dutch required planting of cash crops for export which hurt local food production and reduced self sufficiency of native people

British control in Southeast Asia

• Strategic location of Singapore - trade base to support access between England, India and China.

• Demand for tin, rubber and oil available in Malaysia and Burma

• To promote trade with China, British encourage Chinese immigration and partnered with Chinese immigrants to use system of indirect control of these colonies favoring ethnic Chinese over native Myanmar and Malay peoples. 

• Ethnic tensions between native peoples and Chinese remained after British left

French Control in Southeast Asia

• French used direct control style of managing colony

• - Paternalistic and disrespected native culture

• Local agriculture and industry was not encouraged

• - Reduced local self sufficiency

French Control in Southeast Asia

• Quotes below from French colonial leaders in Indochina during the late 1800s

• "Southeast Asia is the ideal country; it has no end or raw materials and would serve as the perfect outlet for our factories' finished products".

• "Just as Rome civilized the barbarians beyond its borders, we too have a duty to extend French culture and religion to the backwards people of the world".

• “In opening China, the English have secured their presence in East Asia. If we don't commit more resources to get into southeast Asia now, they or Germany, or even little Belgium, might find it ripe for the taking".

Open Ended

Describe a similarities and/or differences in what motivated Dutch, British and French imperialist actions in Southeast Asia. Explain what details were most interesting to you and why.

Case Study: Siam (Thailand)

• Siam (Thailand) was wealthier and more economically developed than most of its neighbors by the time European imperialism began.

• King Mongkut of Siam was able to use the location of his nation between French and British imperial claims to his advantage. 

  - He made deals with both the French and British and kept Siam neutral using the French-British rivalry to the advantage of the Thai people.

Case Study: Siam (Thailand)

• Siam adopted many European systems of government, law, education and economic development more willingly without being forced enhancing partnerships with Europeans and reducing internal conflicts.

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Open Ended

Explain how modern Thailand was able to resist European imperialism and what can be learned from their success. How was it similar to how Ethiopia resisted imperialism at around the same time in Africa