Chapter 11 Section 5

 Demand for Asian products drove Western imperialists to seek possession of Southeast Asian lands.  Southeast Asian independence struggles in the 20 th century have their roots in this period of imperialism.

 As the Europeans did in Africa, they rushed to divide up Southeast Asia.  These lands form part of the Pacific Rim (the countries that border the Pacific Ocean).  Western nations desired the Pacific Rim lands due to their strategic location along the sea route to China.

 Early in the 18 th century, the Dutch East India Company established control over most of the 3,000 mile long chain of Indonesian islands.  British established a trading port at Singapore.  France took over Indochina.  Germans claimed the Marshall Islands.

 The lands of Southeast Asia were perfect for plantation agriculture.  As these products, such as coffee, bananas, and sugar cane, became more important, Europeans raced to claim the lands.

 The Dutch added to their territory in southeast Asia.  They eventually gained control of present-day Indonesia (Dutch East Indies).  The Dutch treated Indonesia as their home.  They lived and worked there.  Dutch established a rigid class system.  Dutch  rich & educated Indonesians  plantation workers.  Farmers were forced to plant specified crops on 1/5 of their land.

 The British take control of Singapore as a way to compete with the Dutch.  This served as a stop for their ships when traveling in the East.

 The French took over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.  The combined states became known as French Indochina.  The French used direct colonial management.  They filled all important positions in the government.  They did not encourage local industry.  4x as much land was devoted to rice production.  Exported and not given to peasants.  Set the stage for Vietnamese resistance.

 Colonization brought mixed results in Southeast Asia.  Economies grew based on cash crops and exported goods.  Education, health and sanitation improved.  Millions of people migrated to work on plantations and the mines in Southeast Asia.  The mixing of cultures led to the racial and religious tensions in this area as seen today.

 The period of imperialism was a time of great power and domination of others by mostly European powers.  As the 19 th century closed, the lands of the world were all claimed.  The European powers now faced each other with competing claims.  Their battles would become the focus of the 20 th century.

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