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Burma Fails to Expand
Burma tried expanding in the Southeast Asia region due to rising power within the state. However, they failed to annex Thailand as the leaders were able to resist Burmese influence as well as maintain control of their land. This effort weakened Burma and they again failed to annex Assam as well. Map from world.umka.org -
China attempts to block Western Influence
After the Western empires gained power, China attempted to block their influence by returning to a state fo isolationism. This led to conflict within and eventually the Opium Wars in which China was forced to open up new trade ports with the British and other areas.Image from enchantedlearning.com -
Britain Invades Malacca
The Industrialization of Britain really began with the British taking over Malacca on the strait between the Indian Ocean and South China Sea. This was important because it established a connection from the Ocean to trading opportunities of China and Japan. It also showed British dominance in the region. Image from en.wikipedia.org -
British Seize Java
After establishing themselves elsewhere in the world, the British effectively fended off and proved to the world that they were going to control Southeast Asia. In taking over Java, they demonstrated naval and trade dominance that showed the French and Dutch that Britain was serious and shouldn't be messed with. They later returned the island to the Dutch after the Napoleonic Wars. Image from bermuda-online.org -
Free Port Established at Singapore
Thomas Stamford Raffles, leader of Java during French control, helped create the port a Singapore. This was important because it increased trade and British accessability into the region. Singapore developed into a commercial center as it attracted both British tradesmen and Chinese fisherman to the harbor. Images from gateaviationblog.blogspot.com -
Indian Trade Explodes!
Starting in 1841 and extending to 1870, the trade in India exploded as the economy of the colony and the trade along the Indian Ocean rose in demand and therefore, profitability. The trade in India during this time period grew by a whopping 400%! Image from rmg.co.uk -
British India Expands to Burma
The rice and timber industry were vastly increasing as a result of the global trade of the region and industrialzation. After India annexed provinces in Burma, the export of these goods became extremely valuable. British India annexed the port city of Rangoon and later the rest of Burma. Image from beloit.edu -
Fall of Indochina
The French gained almost complete control of the Indochinese region by 1859. This caused not only turmoil in the region, but abroad as well. The industrial revolution led to increased imperialism in the region. Image from en.wikipedia.org -
Early 1900s
Much of the world's supply of rubber and tea was from this region. By 1914, almost all of the world's supply of these goods came from Southeast Asia. This allowed the area to prosper economically and the region enjoyed peace and a steady food supply for much of this time. Image from Indiatransportportal.com
