Western Power Rule Southeast Asia Chapter 27.5
Pages Objectives: To summarize the acquisition of European colonies in Southeast Asia. To describe how Siam remained independent. Main Idea:Demand for Asian products drove Western imperialists to seek possession of Southeast Asia lands. Why it Matters Now:Southeast Asian independence struggles in the 20th Century have their roots in this period of imperialism. Western Rivalries for Pacific Rims Lands
Pacific Rim- Southeast Asia and islands on the edge Pacific Ocean Lands perfect for plantation agriculture Sugar, Coffee, Cocoa, Rubber, Coconuts, Bananas, & Pineapples Europeans rushed to gain lands Dutch Controlled Indonesia discovery of oil & rubber plantations prompted many Dutch to settle in the islands Dutch thought of Indonesia as their HOME Created rigid social class system:Dutch top, wealthy/educated Indonesians middle, plantation workers bottom Dutch forced farmers plant 1/5 of their land in specified export crops British Singapore base for trade/worlds busiest ports
Malaysia large deposits of tin & leading in rubber exporter Not enough workers Chinese asked to come down to work Malays became minority conflict b/w Chinese & Malays Burma teak, oil, & rubber French Indochina (Laos, Cambodia, & Vietnam)
Direct Colonial Management- ruled directly & push French culture on Indochinese Didnt encourage industry Rice major crop Vietnamese grew more rice than before ate less b/c shipping out of country Set the stage for resistance Colonial Impact Modern life to regions
Economic change benefited Europeans more than locals Schooling, health & sanitation improved Millions people migrated to new regions (SW Asia) Mix cultures conflict b/w groups Siam (Thailand) Maintains Independence
Siam surrounded by lands taken by French & British French & British didnt want the other to control Siam Siamese kings played French & British against one another to remain free from both nation King Mongkut & his son modernized Siam Started schools Reformed government Built RR & telegraph lines Ended slavery Changes happened with little social turmoil