Colonizing Southeast Asia

How did colonialism impact SE Asia? First, and foremost, European powers used increasing more force as time passed. European-style administrations took more power in the territories. It started off slowly, and then accelerated with full control unitl decolonization period after World War Two. According to Tarling, this control only really occured in the metropolitan centers. In other areas, it was handled through treaties. Of course, total control was an illsuion, the U.S. found that out the hard way in Iraq. This transformation took many forms: trade, military, nationalism, and of course education. In the beginning, most powers relied on semif-fuedal relationships, which were soon done away with as it gave too much power to non-Europeans. Also, the day-to-day trappings (my word) of running the colonies began with Europeans, but this was later eliminated as it was too costly (European officials arrived with their families), and it was eventually taken over by Asian locals. By the 1890s, the Europeans saw Asians as uncivilized (similalry to the way they did when they first came to America), and that their role in the region was to "civilize" them. A standardized tax system was instituted. One of the most important methods of controlling any society is through the use of language. Colonials controlled SE Asia through the control of language; English became the predominant language spoken (as it is now for the purpose of business). The educated became more and more distant removed from the issues of daily life. This was especially true of city dwellers who had just recently moved from the villages seeking more jobs and money. In Burma, for example, new "village" leaders took over for traditional rulers.
European powers used direct and indirect rule over their territories. Indirect rule was the first form of control and offered no real plan; measures were born out of expediancy rather than any long term goal or objective; it was a co-operative relationship between local ruling elites and colonials.
The French became ingerested in Indochina because of the spices, but were actually preceeded by those who wanted econmic benefits of colonialism. They militarily conquered part of Vietnam. They then extended their control of the region around Hue and adopted the name Annam. The French let local kings stay in power, bu they were figureheads exerting no real power.
American took over the Phillipines with the notion of 'Christianizing' the indigienous populations.
Colonialism and nationalism became intertwined; Europeans took pride in their countries and this spread to the outlining territories; this happened in Africa as well as SE Asia.
Ideas also followed along with the colonials; one of the biggest was Marxism. Many villagers embarced this ideal as it explained their suffering (in all of its forms) at the hands of European opressors.
Colonialism changed Southeast Asia in many ways: militarily, economically, politically, and socially.