Colonial Rule in Southeast Asia CHAPTER 21 SECTION 1 19 TH CENTURY & EARLY 20 TH CENTURY

The New Imperialism  Imperialism, or the extension of a nation’s power over other lands is nothing new as it pertains to Europeans and others (U.S. & Japan). What is different about this new wave of Imperialism centered around Southeast Asia & Africa.  One of the main motives for this new wave of expansion can be traced to the industrialization that was beginning to take place in Europe. Western European kingdoms needed markets and raw materials to maintain their new industries.  Older rivalries that existed within Western Europe were still there. Gaining the most profitable colonies or territories became a type of status symbol among these nations.

The New Imperialism  A new ideology based off of Darwin's “ Theory of evolution”, known as Social Darwinism, also played a role in conquering other people of different ethnicities. Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest” was now being applied to humans. Europeans viewed themselves as the social elite.  Racism was also prominent. Racism is the belief that race determines traits and capabilities. The belief that these people that Europeans encountered were beneath them, is based strictly on their race.  Religion also accompanied this wave of European dominance. Christian missionaries would bring Christianity to the “heathen masses” similar to the way they did in Latin America.

Henry Stanley in the Congo

Colonial Takeover  Great Britain – The British were aware of a large potential market in Asia. To get a stronghold on this emerging market, GB sent the Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles to establish a city on the Malay Peninsula. The city came to be known as Singapore. The next territory to fall to the British was the kingdom of Burma, which the British wanted to protect their Indian colony.  France – the French also coveted Southeast Asia. Mindful of the growing British presence, France forces the government of Vietnam to sign a deal making Vietnam a protectorate, or political unit that depends on another government for its protection. France now indirectly controlled Vietnam included its largest cities, Saigon & Hanoi. French expansion would also bring Laos, Cambodia, Annam & Tonkin in to the fold.

Colonial Takeover  The United States – Following the Spanish – American war the United states was given the Philippines by the Spanish government. The U.S. decides to turn the Philippines into an American colony. The Filipino's were not excited to be changing one colonial authority for another. Led by Emilio Aguinaldo, a patriot who had been fighting for independence since the territory belonged to Spain was able to wage a guerrilla war against the U.S. and eventually was defeated by the Americans.  The Exception Thailand – Thai land was the one territory in SE Asia that was able to maintain it’s independence. Under the rule of king Mongku & later King Chulalongkorn, the people of Siam (thailand) encouraged Western learning and acquiesced to the demands of the Europeans.

Asian Imperialism – Circa 1910

Colonial Regimes  European control over this vast territory came in one of 2 forms. The first being direct rule. This was the case when Europeans “colonized” a territory and replaced local elites with European administrators.  The second form is known as indirect rule. Under this system, local rulers are allowed to keep their authority and status in a new colonial settings. Elites maintained their status, but for everyone else conditions worsened.  Europeans wanting to maintain the economic superiority made their new territories focus on exporting raw material. This led to mostly agricultural based societies with little to no industrialization, and always reliant upon their mother country.

Resistance to Colonial Rule  Colonial authority was not with out its opponents. Initially, resistance came from established local elites, as was the case in Burma. Organizations known as Can Vuong (“Save the King) developed as a direct resistance to colonization.  Peasant revolts were also fairly common. Many peasants, already poor to begin with were now forced off their land to make way for Planation style agriculture. In 1930, a Peasant revolt led by the Buddhist monk Saya San was viciously put down by the British.  Nationalism also led to issues for Europeans. Starting among the middle classes of these new colonies, these Western educated people wanted to gain their independence and align themselves based on a common national identity.