Imperialism, Colonialism and Spheres of Influence

• Imperialism is when one country dominates another for economic, political, or military gain.
• Colonialism involves a country establishing control over foreign territories by settling people or ruling directly.
• A sphere of influence is a region where an imperial power has exclusive trade and investment rights, without direct governance.

Motives for Imperialism

• European nations sought Southeast Asia for its natural resources like rubber, tin, oil, and spices.
• Cash crops like sugar, coffee, and tobacco were cultivated on large plantations.
• Southeast Asia provided new markets for European goods.
• Naval bases and strategic locations in Southeast Asia were crucial for controlling sea routes.
• Competition among European powers fueled the desire for global dominance.
• Social Darwinism promoted the idea of European superiority, justifying the domination of "weaker" peoples.
• "White Man’s Burden" was the concept that Europeans had a duty to civilize non-European societies.
• Nationalism drove nations to expand empires and increase global influence.

Major Imperial Powers and Their Territories

• Britain colonized Burma (Myanmar), Malaya (Malaysia), and Singapore, focusing on tin, rubber, and opium using indirect rule through local leaders.
• France colonized Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia), focusing on rubber, rice, and plantations using direct rule by French officials.
• The Netherlands colonized the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia), focusing on spices, oil, and rubber with direct rule by Dutch officials.
• The U.S. colonized the Philippines (after the Spanish-American War), focusing on sugar and tobacco with direct rule by the U.S. military.
• Spain colonized the Philippines (before 1898), focusing on Catholic conversion and trade with direct rule.

Key Colonies and Events

• Britain annexed Burma in 1886 to protect interests in India, controlling it until independence in 1948 despite Burmese nationalist resistance.
• Malaya was valuable to Britain for tin and rubber, while Singapore served as a key trade port and naval base.
• British rule in Malaya and Singapore was indirect, allowing local sultans to retain some power.
• France took over Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in the mid-1800s, forcing Vietnamese to produce rice and rubber for French profit using direct rule.
• Nationalist movements, led by figures like Ho Chi Minh, resisted French rule in Indochina.
• The Dutch controlled the spice trade in Indonesia, imposing a forced labor system where natives grew crops for Dutch profit.
• Harsh taxation and land seizures were enforced by the Dutch in Indonesia.
• The U.S. acquired the Philippines from Spain after the Spanish-American War in 1898.
• Filipino nationalists, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, revolted against U.S. rule.
• The Philippine-American War (1899-1902) resulted in a U.S. victory, and the U.S. controlled the Philippines until 1946.
• Siam (Thailand) remained independent through the modernization efforts of King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn.
• Siam became a buffer state between British Burma and French Indochina through negotiation.
• The U.S. overthrew Queen Liliuokalani and annexed Hawaii in 1898, driven by American businessman Sanford Dole.
• Hawaii was important to the U.S. for sugar plantations and naval power.

Effects of Imperialism

Economic Effects

• Imperialism led to improved infrastructure, including railroads, telegraphs, and ports.
• Plantation agriculture expanded, focusing on crops like rubber, tea, coffee, and sugar.
• Natives were often forced to work in harsh conditions for European profits.
• Wealth from resources was funneled to European nations, not local people.

Social & Cultural Effects

• Imperialism caused the spread of Western education, technology, and medicine
• Some countries, like Siam, successfully modernized as a result of Western influence.
• There was also Loss of local traditions and culture due to European domination.
• Many Southeast Asians were treated as second-class citizens.

Political Effects

• Resulted in new systems of government and laws.
• Generated resistance movements, triggering wars for independence in the 20th century.

Resistance and Nationalist Movements

• Emilio Aguinaldo led the Philippine-American War against U.S. rule.
• Ho Chi Minh fought against French rule and later led the communist revolution in Vietnam.
• King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn used diplomacy to maintain Thailand's independence.
• Burmese nationalists led revolts against British control.
• Vietnamese rebels formed resistance groups against French rule.

Imperialism involves dominating another country for various gains, while colonialism entails establishing control over foreign territories. A sphere of influence grants exclusive rights to an imperial power. Motives included resources, markets, strategic locations, competition, and the belief in European superiority.