History of Southeast Asia 1945-2000

The only Southeast Asian country to remain free from colonial rule was ________.

• Vietnam
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• The Philippines

Answer explanation

The Kingdom of Thailand or Siam as it was known till 1939, was the only country to have preserved its independence during the nineteenth century when Western powers imposed their rule over much of Southeast Asia. Its success in remaining independent is credited to the role of Kings Rama IV (r. 1851-1868) and Rama V (r. 1868-1910).

Great Britain was the colonial power that ruled Singapore, Malaysia and ________ in Southeast Asia.

• Vietnam

• Laos

• The Philippines

• Myanmar

Answer explanation

The British fought 3 wars against the Burmese over the course of the nineteenth century and annexed the country to India in 1886. Burma became independent in 1948 and adopted its new name in 1989.

France ruled over Cambodia, Laos and _________, which collectively was known as French Indochina.

• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Vietnam
• Myanmar

Answer explanation

France imposed its control over Vietnam beginning from the south which was known as Cochin China. The remaining parts of the country Annam and Tonkin became a protectorate after 1884. The Nguyen Dynasty monarchs became mere puppets.

The Netherlands ruled Indonesia which was known as __________.

• Portuguese East Indies
• Dutch East Indies

• Dutch West Indies

• Spanish East Indies

Answer explanation

The Dutch East Indies is also known as the Netherlands East Indies. It began as a series of trading posts under the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in the seventeenth century and over time the Netherlands imposed its rule over the archipelago.

The only Portuguese colony in Southeast Asia after the seventeenth century was ________.

• East Timor

• Melaka

• Penang

• Bali

Answer explanation

The Portuguese ruled the eastern part of Timor island from the eighteenth century till 1975. Indonesia annexed the territory as its 27th province in 1976 after suppressing an indigenous independence movement.

The Philippines is named after _______.

• Queen Isabella of Castile

• King Charles V of Spain

• King Ferdinand of Aragon

• King Philip II of Spain

Answer explanation

The Philippines was named after Prince Philip (later King Philip II) of Spain.

The Americans acquired the Philippines as a colony in _____.

• 1914
• 1945
• 1776
• 1898

Answer explanation

The Spanish-American War ended in 1898 with the Treaty of Paris which gave the Philippines to the United States.

Japan claimed that it wanted to create a ___________ as part of its justification to take over territories in East and Southeast Asia during WWII.

• Pacific Unity Alliance
• Asian Harmony Coalition
• Far East Prosperity Circle
• Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

Answer explanation

The term was first coined in 1940 by Japan with stated objectives to promote economic self-sufficiency and cooperation, while resisting Western imperialism and Soviet communism.