Great Britain, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United States were the imperialist countries that had colonies in Southeast Asia. Portugal also had a colony in the region but had the least impact. Nationalism arose as the result of political movement, organized to restore the country’s independence. All colonized countries in Southeast Asia became independent by 1965.
Works in English are selected to shed light on how Southeast Asia achieved modernity through structural changes, brought upon by imperialism, colonialism and nationalism, hence resources under Laos, etc. are excluded as they are in French, German, or Dutch. In addition, works on Thailand are included as related to nationalism, despite the fact that Thailand remained independent through the colonial period.
FRANCE
France captured Saigon in 1859, and extended her colony to include Annam, Tongkin, Laos, and Cambodia.
GREAT BRITAIN
Burma was under the British rule from the late 19th century until 1948.
Britain governed the Malay Peninsula as the Straits Settlements until 1957.
THE NETHERLANDS
The Indonesian archipelago was colonized by the Dutch during two periods: 1605-1799 by the Dutch East India Company and 1825-1930s by the Dutch government.
PORTUGAL
Portugal occupied Malacca from 1511 to 1641, when it was taken over by the Dutch;
and continued the rule over Timor.
SPAIN
The Philippines was governed by Spain from 1565 until 1898, when Spain was defeated by the United States in the Spanish-American War.
THE UNITED STATES
As a peace settlement with Spain in 1898, the United States occupied the Philippines until her independence in 1946.