Asian Colonization: 15th to 20th Centuries

1. 15th to 18th Centuries: Coastal and Commercial Settlements

Portugal reached India and the East Indies, dominating trade routes. The Netherlands arrived in the 17th century, establishing themselves in Java and Ceylon. France arrived third, settling in Pondicherry. England arrived fourth, controlling the rest of the Indian coast. The Company of Bengal controlled all commercial areas of Asia.

2. 19th Century: Intensification of Colonial Action

Colonial action intensified inland. Great Britain took India, the Netherlands took Indonesia, and France took Indochina. There was pressure on China to open its commercial ports, and then on Japan. Colonialism was now in the hands of the metropolis.

3. Late 19th Century: Second World War

• The United States, Russia, and Japan entered the colonial scene.
• Clashes between England and Russia in Afghanistan were accentuated.
• The USA confronted Spain in the Philippines.
• There was overall administrative control of the colonies.

Colonization of Indochina

Four influences:

• China: Political and religious influences on Tonkin.
• India: Religious influence in Burma and Cochinchina, which are opposite islands.
• European Influence Area: Burma, Cambodia, and Cochinchina.
• Islamic Culture: The Malacca Peninsula (Malaysia), including Singapore, and the East Indies, Netherlands.

Colonization of Japan

Since the 17th century, Japan was under the Tokugawa dynasty. It was characterized by economic prosperity (agriculture). The territory was divided into a feudal system of daimyo, against whom were the samurai. From the 17th century, Japan closed itself off to the West, except for the port of Nagasaki, which was open to China and Holland.

In 1850, the Americans arrived, and the Japanese government was pressured to open the ports to the US. Upon refusal, they threatened war. The Kanagawa Treaty was signed, which included Japan, the USA, Holland, Russia, and Great Britain. The causes of the crisis (Meiji Revolution) led to the downfall of the dynasty.

Meiji Revolution

• Assumed the Westernization of Japan.
• Suppressed feudalism and removed the samurai (replaced by an imperial army).
• Colonization and industrial development.
• Land reform.
• Customs reform.
• Education reform.
• The new Japanese Yen currency.

Japan began its imperial period (Manchuria, Korea, Formosa). The new dynasty was called Taisho. Japan became one of the most influential countries in the world. In 1919, Japan exercised guardianship over the territories of Oceania.