Southeast Asia

Countries of Southeast Asia:

Brunei Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia

Burma (Myanmar) The Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam

A long history of diversity

Influenced by China and India.

Hinduism and Buddhism spread from India.

SE Asia kept some of its own traditions Equal roles for women.

Thailand

Vietnam

Burma

Philippines

States were organized as rings of power around a central court called a mandala.

The Khmer Empire was a powerful empire from the 9th-15th century.

Mandalas made alliances and trade arrangements to survive.

Colonialism and Aftermath

Trade networks brought Arabian and Indian merchants who spread Islam.

1509 Europeans arrived.

At first the goal of Europeans was to obtain wealth, not set up colonies.

As the region’s wealth flowed to Europe, local control declined.

By the 20th century all of SE Asia was colonized except Thailand.

Colonialism set up bureaucratic governments (non elected officials) with set regulations. Colonialism when a stronger

country controls a weaker country.

Europeans forced the colonies to produce commodities that would help Europe’s economy.Rubber, sugar, rice, tea, and coffee.

Colonialism sparked nationalism by uniting groups against the Europeans. Nationalism devotion and loyalty to

one’s nation or culture group.

SE Asians gained Western education and learned about self-rule.

Independence promoted “Asia for Asians.”

Japan occupied SE Asia during WWIIGave leadership roles to SE Asians.

After WWII, SE Asians leaders sought independence.

Indochina, a French colony of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, suffered for decades.

Vietnamese defeated the French in 1954, gaining independence for South Vietnam and North Vietnam.

Economy

Agriculture is the major basis for income.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) promotes economic growth and peace in the region.

Culture

Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism and traditional local beliefs influence the region.

Most SE Asians live in rural villages and follow traditional ways, but some are changing due to urbanization.

Cities face a shortage of housing for migrants creating slums and unsafe living conditions.

Indonesia

Malaysia

Laos