IMPERIALISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
REVIEW• Japan avoided European Imperialism by becoming
more like the western powers
• New Constitution created constitutional monarchy
• Japan industrialized to keep up with advanced western nations
• Sino-Japanese War & Treaty of Shimonoseki marked beginning of Japan as world power
ESSENTIAL QUESTION• How did Imperialism in Southeast Asia effect
events that would happen later in history?
INTRODUCTION• Late 1800s – Imperialism spread to
Southeast Asia• Became an important source of spices &
tea• Later provided tin & oil
BRITISH COLONIES• England controlled Burma & Singapore
• Burma was important because it bordered India
• Singapore guards entrance to Strait of Malacca – Very important trade route
• 1819 - Britain purchased Singapore & establishes a factory
• Area became Singapore, held British Naval Base
FRENCH GAINS• Eastern part of Southeast Asia: Laos, Cambodia, &
Vietnam
• Governments were very unstable
• France controls all 3 during the 1800s
• Under French rule, governments stabilize & economies grow
• Regained independence in the 1950s
SIAM• Sandwiched between English & French
controlled countries
• Maintained independence by playing British interests against French interests
• King Mongkut studied western ideas – Better understood enemies & modernized
THE DUTCH EAST INDIES• Made up of islands running between East Asia &
Australia
• Colonized by the Netherlands in 1600s
• Revolutions during 1800s made Dutch change the way the islands were governed
• Became Indonesia in 1949
U.S. INTEREST IN THE PACIFIC• Islands became important for Trans-Pacific trade
• Samoa Islands
• Hawaiian Islands
• Philippines
• Guam
• Wake Island
THE SAMOA ISLANDS• East of Australia in Pacific Ocean
• Used by England, Germany, & U.S. as trading posts & naval bases
• Rivalry between 3 nations existed until 1899 when a treaty was signed
• England withdrew
• Germany & U.S. split the islands
THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS• Held U.S. naval base, rich soil, good rainfall & a mild
climate
• After 1865 Americans began to arrive
• Sugarcane & pineapple plantations were created
• U.S. wanted more control of the government
• 1893 – Americans ended Hawaiian Queen’s reign
• 1898 – Hawaii becomes part of U.S.
PHILIPPINES, GUAM, & WAKE ISLAND• When U.S. & Spain went to war, U.S. Navy called into action
• 1st Battle – Spanish-controlled Philippines
• Americans attacked at Manila Harbor
• U.S. controls Philippines after short war
• U.S. also gained control of Guam & Wake Island
• Filipino forces resisted American control, but were defeated after 3 years in 1902