Imperialism of Southeast Asia Chapter 27 5 Why

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 • 1700 s 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: – 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 – 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 1820 s sugar trade changes Hawaiian economy – U. S. establishes sugar plantations – Sugar planters gain political power in Hawaii Mc. Kinley 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)