Europeans Build Empires in South & Southeast Asia Portugal, Netherlands & Spain

Portugal First European power to gain a foothold in Asia Do you remember who was there 1st? Ships were small & fast Superior firepower helped to win control of the Indian Ocean spice trade

Building an Empire in the East Afonso de Albuquerque – Portuguese commander in India Mughal Empire controlled most of India Local princes in southern regions The Plan Manipulate the princes Remove the Mughal Make Indian Ocean a “Portuguese Lake”

Portuguese Trading Outposts 1510 – seized island of Goa Military & trading base Burned coastal towns & crushed Arab fleets 1511 – seized port of Malacca Massacred Muslims Portugal had built a trade empire in less than 50 years Used these cities as outposts to resupply & repair ships Controlled spice trade between Europe & Asia

Not So Fast!! A lack of resources and a great deal of resistance prevented Portugal from completely controlling the area Attacked Muslims & Hindus in an attempt to convert them to Christianity The Dutch would then compete for Asian trade

Here come the Dutch! 1599 – ships returns from Asia Pepper, cloves, spices Netherlands soon became a leader in European trade Settlement in Cape Town (South Africa) led the way to the east

Dutch East India Company Formed in 1602 by wealthy Dutch merchants No government control – DEIC dominates the region Builds armies  wages war on natives Negotiates treaties Governs territories

Why was the VOC this powerful? Speculate why the VOC was so powerful…. Why was the VOC this powerful?

Dutch Dominance 1641 – Captured Malacca from Portugal Monopolized the Spice Islands Used military force but kept close ties with local rulers 1700s – Dutch trade empire on the decline Maintained empire until 1948

Spain gets in the mix Magellan had claimed Philippines for Spain in 1521 Would conquer and colonize Named after King Philip II Tried to convert Filipinos to Christianity Shipped silver from Americas to Philippines to trade with China

An end to the Mughal Began in 1520s Europeans amazed by the luxury items Spices, textiles, silk and cotton Granted trading rights to Europeans Empire weakened over time (civil war, corruption, death of powerful rulers) England and France built competing companies & fought for power Mid 1700s – British East India Company forces out the French England soon rules India directly

Answer these… Welcome!! ;-) How did European nations build empires in South and Southeast Asia? (process) Why would the Portuguese not attempt to conquer inland territory? What about the location of the Philippines made them valuable to the Spanish? Mughal Empire would grant trade rights to several European countries. What does that say about the power of those countries?