1. Imperialism in Southeast Asia

2. New Form of Expansion
During the late 19th century European nations began to see the benefits of Asian and African societies
- Realized these societies could boost their economy and profit
- perfect source for industrial raw materials and a market for manufactured goods
During the 1880s many European states and countries began to compete for these oversees territories
This time became known as Imperialism, or the extension of a nation’s power over other lands.
- Direct control over vast territories

3. New Form of Expansion
Imperialism came about with the growth of capitalism and the Industrial Revolution
- Growing need for markets and raw materials
- rubber, oil, tin, lumber, etc.
Competition between rival countries
- More colonies = Greatness

4. Social Darwinism and Racism
Imperialism had direct ties to Social Darwinism and Racism
Racism among Imperialists:
- some used military force among the weaker nations
- others felt like it was their duty or responsibility to civilize what they believed to be primitive people
- this becomes known as the “white man’s burden”
- these people often used Christianity and democracy as justification for their actions

5. Great Britain
In 1880 the only southeastern Asian territories were the Spanish Philippines and the Dutch East Indies
By 1900 the entire area was under Western rule
New Imperialism began with Britain in 1819
- Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles was sent out to claim Singapore as a new colony for Britain
- New colony becomes a major stopping point for people traveling to and from China
Proceed to take over Burma in order to protect their possessions in India
- Leads to a land route through Burma into Southern China
- Collapse of the Burmese monarchy

6. France British advancements into Burma made France very anxious
At the time they had Christian missionaries in Vietnam who were being persecuted by the Vietnamese authorities
- Persecution failed to stop Christian advancement
Internal rivalries divided Vietnam into two separate governments
By 1857 France forced Vietnam to accept French protection in order to stop British movement in the region
- Vietnamese ruler gives territories in Mekong River Delta to France

7. France
By 1883 France seize Hanoi and makes the Vietnamese empire a French protectorate, or a political unit that depends on another government for its protection.
During the 1880s France gained control of Cambodia, Anna, Tonkin, and Laos.
In 1887 France creates the Union of French Indochina

8. Thailand
During this time Thailand remained the only free state in Southeast Asia
Credit for this goes to King Mongkut and his son, King Chulalongkorn
- both promoted Western learning and maintained friendly relations with European powers
Thailand became a buffer state between Britain possessions and French posessions

9. United States
In 1898 the U.S. was coming out of the Spanish- American War
- Commodore George Dewey defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, located in the Philippines
President McKinley believed it was his duty to “civilize” the Philippines as an American colony.
- Gaining control of the Philippines also prevented Japan from gaining control of them
- Also provides the U.S. access to trade with China

10. Resistance to American Rule
Many Filipinos resisted American rule
A man named Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed himself president of the Republic of the Philippines
- He led revolts and attacks with guerrilla forces
Their fight for independence failed after three bloody years

11. Colonial Regimes
The goal of these countries were to exploit the natural resources of the lands and to open up markets for their own manufactured goods.
Colonized regions were either ruled by indirect or direct rule.
If a colony was easy to maintain and did not resist conquest, they were normally ruled indirectly.
- local rulers were allowed to keep their authority and status in a new colonial setting
- indirect rule made access to natural resources easier to get to
- fewer officials had to be trained, making it cheaper for the colonizers
- affected local culture less
EX: Dutch East India Company in the Dutch East Indies

12. Colonial Regimes
Direct Rule primarily took place when an area resisted conquest
- local elites were removed from power and replaced by a new set of officials brought from the colonizing country
EX: Great Britain with Burma
In Vietnam France used direct rule in Southern Vietnam and indirect rule in Northern Vietnam
In order for indirect rule to take place the colonizing countries often promised Western civilization and representative government
- However, many colonizers feared the idea of educating natives and giving them political rights

13. Colonial Economies
Colonial powers stressed the export of raw materials because they did not want the colonists developing their own industries
This leads to the creation of plantation agriculture
- peasants work as wage laborers of plantations owned by the foreign power
- wages were at poverty level to increase profit
- the working conditions were stressful and harmful
- thousands of deaths were related to the working conditions

14. Colonial Economies
While there were many negatives to Imperialism in Southeast Asia, some would argue that there were a few positives
The areas received a modern economic system
Railroads, highways, and other structures were built that benefited natives
There was an entrepreneurial class which developed in rural areas
EX: In the Dutch East Indies, growers of rubber, palm oil, coffee, tea, and spices began to share in the profits of colonial enterprise

15. Resistance to Colonial Rule
Many natives resisted colonial rule in Southeast Asia
- at first it was just the existing ruling class
EX: Burma- monarch fought Western rule
Vietnam- the emperor agreed to French rule, but government officials set up an organization called Can Vuong (save the king).
Peasant revolts
- peasants were driven off their land for planation agriculture
- early attempts at resistance failed

16. Resistance to Colonial Rule
By 1900 resistance based on Nationalism grew
Colonial rule created a new social class
- this class was made up of westernized intellectuals in the cities
They were the first generation of Asians to embrace the institutions and values of the west
- spoke western languages and worked jobs connected with colonial regimes

17. Resistance to Colonial Rule
They first tried to defend the economic interests and religious beliefs of the native people
EX: University of Rangoon in Burma
- the students protested against the persecution of the Buddhist religion and the British lack of respect for their religions traditions
In 1930 the movements began demanding for national independence