Southeast Asia in the Era of Southeast Asia in the Era of the Spice Tradethe Spice Trade

The Arrival of Europeans in The Arrival of Europeans in Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia

• In 1511, the Portuguese seized In 1511, the Portuguese seized MelakaMelaka in SE Asia in SE Asia

– Soon they occupied the Soon they occupied the MoluccasMoluccas

• Known to Europeans as the Spice Islands Known to Europeans as the Spice Islands

The Arrival of Europeans in The Arrival of Europeans in Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia

• They set up small settlements, but did not They set up small settlements, but did not have the resources to make colonies therehave the resources to make colonies there

• In the early 1600s, the In the early 1600s, the DutchDutch pushed the pushed the Portuguese out of the spice trade. Portuguese out of the spice trade.

• Took over most of the Portuguese forts Took over most of the Portuguese forts along the trade route, including Melaka along the trade route, including Melaka

The Arrival of Europeans in The Arrival of Europeans in Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia

• The arrival of Europeans had less impact The arrival of Europeans had less impact on mainland Southeast Asiaon mainland Southeast Asia– The SE Asian states in these areas had The SE Asian states in these areas had

strong monarchies that were able to resist strong monarchies that were able to resist foreign intrusionforeign intrusion