Imperialism of Southeast Asia Chapter 27.5

Why and who invades Southeast Asia? Pacific Rim = lands within Southeast Asia Desired for LOCATION as a sea route to China Tropical agriculture, minerals, and oil Euro powers challenge each other for parts of the region Imperial Powers that be: Dutch British French Portuguese Spanish

European Invasion 1700s Dutch East India Company controls: Strait of Malacca (Malaysia) from Portuguese Java (Indonesia) from British Eventually the entire island chain of Indonesia Create rigid social class system Dutch = top Educated Indonesians = middle Plantation workers = bottom Germans claim Marshall Islands (northeast of New Guinea), parts of New Guinea (northeast of Australia) and Solomon Islands (east of Papua New Guinea)

British British control Singapore – on Malaysian Peninsula Sing. becomes world’s busiest port. Why? Increased demand for tin and rubber Opening of Suez Canal Britain encourages Chinese migration to Malaysia Malays become minority Conflict b/t Chinese and Malays exist today

Viva France!!! French control Indochina: Used direct control North and South Vietnam Laos Cambodia Used direct control French filled all positions in government Did not encourage local industry Devoted 4 times the land for rice production For export not local consumption Reduction in local rice production fuels resistance

Colonial Impact Positive Negative Economies grew (based on cash crops Transportation improvements: roads, harbors, rail systems Improved communication Health, education, and sanitation Negative Took away independence Racism Melting pot of Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Buddhists Clashes still seen today

Siam Siam = present day Thailand Location = b/t Britain’s Burma and France’s Indochina Siam remained neutral Convinced Brits and French Modernized Started schools Reformed legal system Reorganized government Built railroads and telegraph systems Ended slavery Neutrality and independence equaled no: Racism and economic exploitation found in colonized countries Today Southern Thailand in turmoil Muslims fighting against Buddhist majority

United States in the Pacific Islands U.S. dislikes the idea of colonization. Why? Two groups LIKE the idea of imperialism Empire builders who wanted world dominance Business men wanting new markets and trading partners Spanish-American war (1898) U.S. declares war on Spain after the sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana, Cuba. Signing of Treaty of Paris ends war Spain loses possessions to U.S. U.S. acquires Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam Filipinos don’t want to replace one imperialist for another Filipinos declare independence Fight U.S. and lose (1899-1902) U.S. promises preparation for self-rule Builds infrastructure (roads, railways, schools, etc.) Introduces cash crops which leads to food shortages

U.S. and Hawaii 1790 Hawaii becomes of interest to U.S. Port on the way to Hawaii, China, and East India 1820s sugar trade changes Hawaiian economy U.S. establishes sugar plantations Sugar planters gain political power in Hawaii McKinley Tariff Act (1890) Starts crisis Eliminates tariffs on sugar entering U.S. Sugar from Hawaii now becomes more expensive than sugar produced elsewhere U.S. business leaders push for annexation (adding of territory) If Hawaii were part of the U.S. sugar cold be sold for greater profits because producers would get money (2 cents/pound) from government (subsidy) Queen Liliuokalani calls for new constitution that would increase her power Would also restore power to Hawaiians U.S. businessmen overthrow monarchy and remove Liliuokalani from power Sanford B. Dole named president of Hawaii and asks U.S. for annexation (1898)