Historical Overview of Southeast Asia Organizational Use

• Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Early Names (ASEAN)
-Original/Founding
❑Farther India or Ultraindia–old term for members:MAPHILINDOTS
Southeast Asia. -10 members (1999)
❑Farther Seas ​
❑Asia of the Monsoons Military Use (1943)
❑Nanyang & Nanyo WWII Allied Forces
❑"Little Indias" and "Little Chinas" ●​ South East Asia Command
(SEAC)
•Southeast Asia is probably the most ○​ HQ: India, then Ceylon
diverse corner of the world. ●​ South West Pacific Area
•The battleground of external forces ; Command (SWPA)
colonized by Britain, France and Holland. ○​ HQ: Melbourne
•Helping form countries of different
peoples and cultures.
•“India, China, Islam and the West”.

Kishore Mahbubani, in his book The ASEAN

Miracle, exploring how Southeast Asia has
been significantly influenced by four of the
greatest cultures and civilisations of human
history
AREAS
ACADEMIC USE (1920s) ●​ INSULAR – “islands” / “Maritime” of
The term “Southeast Asia” was first used in Southeast Asia
1839 by American pastor Howard Malcolm ○​ Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei,
in his book Travels in South -Eastern Asia. East Timor, Indonesia, and
the Philippines
Organizational Use​ ●​ MAINLAND – “Indochina”
▪ 1954-1977​ ○​ Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar,
Southeast Asia Treaty Organization Thailand, Vietnam, and
(SEATO) Singapore
-United States, France, Great Britain, New Pre-colonial Period
Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, ANGKOR
Thailand, and Pakistan. ●​ Capital city of the Khmer Empire.
●​ Khmer Empire – A period
considered the classical era of
Cambodian history.
Organizational Use 1961 MAJAPAHIT
• Association of Southeast Asia (ASA) ●​ An Indianized kingdom in Indonesia.
- Malaya, Philippines, Thailand ●​ Existed between the 13th–16th
centuries.
 ●​ Founder: Vijaya, a prince of (2)Governance
Singhasari. (3)Diplomacy
AYUTTHAYA
●​ A Siamese kingdom in Thailand.
●​ Existed from 1351 to 1767.
SRIVIJAYA
●​ A historical kingdom in Indonesia.
●​ Capital: Palembang, Sumatra.
●​ Power: Controlled international sea
trade.
BAGAN
●​ An ancient kingdom in Myanmar.
●​ Founded: December 23, 849 AD.
CHAMPA
●​ An ancient Indochinese kingdom in
Vietnam.
●​ Islam – The dominant religion
among the descendants of the early
people of Champa.
●​ Founded: AD 192.
When

a) 16th century-20th century

b) Peak: 1870 -1914

2. What: Colonial Enterprise
a) Spain (Ph)
b) Portugal (TL)
c) Netherlands (Ind)
d) Great Britain (Mal, Sg, Br, Bur)
e) France (Cam, Lao, Viet)
f) USA (Ph)

3.How
a) Direct-Replaced the existing
-Parts of Vietnam and Cambodia and British
Straits Settlements(Singapore)

b)Indirect
-Cooperation with the existing -British
Malaya, Brunei, Indonesia , Most of CMB

c)The Exception: Thailand

(1)Geography
 PERIODIZATION OF SOUTHEAST
INTRODUCTION
EARLY NAMES​
The periodization of Southeast Asia was Throughout history, Southeast Asia has
characterized by unique cultural, political, been referred to by various names,
and economic developments. Early human reflecting the perspectives and cultural
habitation traces back at least 50,000 years. influences of different civilizations.
Additionally, this era was marked by the rise
of influential kingdoms and empires such as ASIA OF THE MONSOONS​
Angkor, Majapahit, Srivijaya, and Southeast Asia experiences a tropical
Bagan/Pagan. monsoon climate characterized by distinct
wet and dry seasons, primarily influenced
European colonial powers, including the by the region’s monsoon patterns. These
British, Dutch, and French, established seasonal winds significantly impact the
control over various parts of Southeast Asia. climate, agriculture, and daily life across
Colonial rule intensified, leading to various countries in the area.
significant economic exploitation and ●​ Thailand: The monsoon season
infrastructure development. In response to typically runs from June to October,
foreign domination, nationalist movements with the most rainfall occurring in
began to emerge. After World War II, September.
countries in Southeast Asia achieved ●​ Malaysia: Experiences heavy rainfall
independence, leading to nation-building during the northeast monsoon,
efforts and regional cooperation. particularly affecting the eastern
coast.
ULTRAINDIA / FARTHER INDIA​ ●​ Indonesia: The monsoon season
is an old term used by Europeans during the varies across its vast archipelago,
colonial era to describe the region now but generally, the wet season spans
known as SOUTHEAST ASIA. This from November to March.
encompassed areas beyond the Indian
subcontinent but south of China, including • Southwest (Summer) Monsoon: Typically
the Indochina (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, occurring from June to September, the
Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, and southwest monsoon brings moist air from
Vietnam) and the Malay States (Brunei, the Indian Ocean, resulting in heavy rainfall
East Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore). across countries like Thailand, Myanmar,
●​ Philippines and East Timor (not and parts of Indonesia.
included) • Northeast (Winter) Monsoon: From
October to March, the northeast monsoon
FARTHER SEAS​ carries cooler, drier air from the Asian
Since around 100 BCE, Maritime Southeast continent. However, when these winds pass
Asia has occupied a central position at the over the warmer waters of the South China
crossroads of the Indian Ocean and the Sea, they pick up moisture and bring rainfall
South China Sea trading routes, immensely to regions such as Malaysia.
stimulating its economy and influencing its
culture and society.
NANYANG (南洋): district is renowned for its rich
●​ literally refers to “Southern Ocean” cultural heritage, bustling markets,
●​ In Chinese, “Nanyang” refers to the and historic temples.
“Southern Ocean” and is traditionally ●​ Brickfields (Little India) in Kuala
used to describe the region Lumpur, Malaysia: Situated just
encompassing Southeast Asia. This outside Kuala Lumpur’s central
term highlights the historical business district, Brickfields is a
maritime interactions and migrations lively area that showcases Indian
between China and Southeast Asian culture through its temples, cuisine,
countries such as Singapore, and festivals.
Malaysia, Indonesia, and the ●​ Little India in Penang, Malaysia:
Philippines. Chinese communities in Located in the heart of George
these areas are often referred to as Town, Penang’s Little India is a
the “Nanyang Chinese,” reflecting bustling enclave reflecting the
their ancestral connections to this island’s rich Indian heritage.
southern maritime region.
These Little India districts not only serve as
NANYO (南洋): commercial hubs but also as cultural
●​ literally refers to “Southern Ocean” heartbeats, preserving and celebrating the
●​ In Japanese, “Nanyō” also means rich Indian heritage within Southeast Asia.
“Southern Ocean” and has been
used to denote regions south of LITTLE CHINAS​
Japan, including parts of Southeast Southeast Asia is home to numerous vibrant
Asia and the Pacific Islands. Chinatowns, reflecting the rich cultural
Historically, during the early 20th heritage and historical significance of
century, Japan’s imperial expansion Chinese communities in the region. Notable
led to the establishment of the Chinatowns include:
“Nanyō Guntō” (South Sea Islands), ●​ Binondo, Manila, Philippines:
referring to territories in Micronesia Established in 1594, Binondo is
that came under Japanese recognized as the world’s oldest
administration following World War I. Chinatown. It was created by the
The term “Nanyō” thus Spanish colonial government as a
encompasses areas like Australia, settlement for converted Chinese
New Zealand, the Dutch East Indies Christians.
(now Indonesia), and other Pacific ●​ Chinatown, Singapore: It is a
islands. dynamic blend of old and new,
featuring traditional shops, markets,
LITTLE INDIAS​ and modern establishments.
This refers to vibrant ethnic enclaves in ●​ Yaowarat, Bangkok, Thailand:
Southeast Asia where Indian culture, Yaowarat Road is the main artery of
cuisine, and commerce thrive. Notable Little Bangkok’s Chinatown, known for its
India districts include: vibrant street food scene, gold
●​ Singapore’s Little India: located shops, and traditional Chinese
east of the Singapore River, this temples.
 ●​ Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia: II. ORGANIZATIONAL USE
Penang’s Chinatown, located in Regional organizations play a pivotal role in
Georgetown, is famed for its shaping Southeast Asia’s political,
well-preserved heritage buildings, economic, and social landscape.
clan houses, and temples. The area
showcases a unique blend of SOUTHEAST ASIA TREATY
Chinese and local cultures, evident ORGANIZATION (SEATO)
in its architecture and culinary This was an international alliance
offerings. established on September 8, 1954, aiming
●​ Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur, to prevent the spread of communism in
Malaysia: Centered around Petaling Southeast Asia during the Cold War era. It
Street, Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown is consisted of eight member countries:
a vibrant area known for its bustling Australia, France, New Zealand,
markets, food stalls, and cultural Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, the
landmarks like the Sin Sze Si Ya United Kingdom, and the United States.
Temple. The district offers a rich SEATO’s primary goal was to establish a
tapestry of sights, sounds, and collective defense mechanism to curb
flavors. communist expansion in Southeast Asia.
●​ Chinatown, Ho Chi Minh City, However, with only two Southeast Asian
Vietnam: Known locally as Cholon, countries as members, the organization’s
this Chinatown is the largest in regional legitimacy was often questioned.
Vietnam. It boasts numerous The absence of a permanent military
temples, traditional medicine shops, structure made coordinated defense efforts
and markets, reflecting the challenging. These issues led to SEATO’s
deep-rooted Chinese influence in the dissolution on June 30, 1977.
area.
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIA
WHY SOUTHEAST ASIA? (ASA)
I. ACADEMIC USE (1920) This was an early regional organization
●​ During the 1920s and ’30s, a tiny but established on July 31, 1961, by Thailand,
thoughtful and active class of the Federation of Malaya, and the
Westernized Southeast Asian Republic of the Philippines to promote
intellectuals appeared. economic and cultural cooperation among
●​ They were not the first to literally and member countries in Southeast Asia.
figuratively speak the language of Despite its foundational objectives, ASA
the colonial rulers and criticize them, faced several challenges, including its
for by the turn of the 20th century, limited membership. With only three
Java and Luzon, with the longest member countries, ASA’s regional influence
experience under Western rule, had was restricted. Tensions arose between the
already produced individuals like the Philippines and Malaya (now Malaysia)
Javanese noblewoman Raden over a territorial claim on Sabah. These
Adjeng Kartini and the Filipino limitations paved the way for the creation of
patriot José Rizal. ASEAN, which has become a central force
in Southeast Asia’s political and economic ●​ Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten
landscape. was appointed as the Supreme
Allied Commander of SEAC.
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ●​ U.S. Army General Joseph Stilwell
NATIONS (ASEAN) served as Mountbatten’s deputy
This was a regional intergovernmental and was also Chief of Staff to
organization comprising ten Southeast Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek.
Asian countries. Established on August 8,
1967, its aim is to promote political and After the surrender of Japan, SEAC
economic cooperation, regional stability, assumed the responsibility for overseeing
and cultural development among its the disarmament and repatriation of
member states. Japanese forces in Southeast Asia.

Recent Developments: Allied Forces

●​ Myanmar Conflict – ASEAN foreign SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA)
ministers have been actively seeking This was an Allied military command
solutions to Myanmar’s ongoing civil established during World War II to direct
war, which began following a operations in the South West Pacific
military coup in 2021. Efforts theater. It was formed on March 30, 1942,
include appointing special envoys to which encompassed regions including the
foster dialogue and promote peace. Philippines, Borneo, the Dutch East
●​ South China Sea Disputes – Indies (excluding Sumatra), East Timor,
ASEAN continues to engage in Australia, the Territories of Papua New
negotiations with China to establish Guinea, and the western part of the
a code of conduct for the South Solomon Islands.
China Sea, aiming to manage and ●​ General Douglas MacArthur was
resolve territorial disputes in the appointed as the Supreme
region. Commander of SWPA upon its
creation.
III. MILITARY USE
Allied Forces
SOUTH EAST ASIA COMMAND (SEAC)
This was an Allied military command
established during World War II to oversee
the operations in the Southeast Asian
theater. It was formed in August 1943, with
its headquarters in India before relocating
to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Following
successes in Burma, SEAC prepared for
operations to liberate Malaya; however,
Japan’s surrender in August 1945
precluded the need for a full-scale invasion.
Pre-colonial Southeast Asia ●​ One of the world’s youngest and
smallest nation-states.
Introduction:
Downfall of Angkor – 1431
Kingdoms and empires that were
established and flourished during the ●​ Military defeats
Hindu-Buddhist Period of Southeast Asia ●​ Internal conflicts
were:
The Majapahit Empire
●​ Mainland Southeast Asia:
○​ FUNAN • The Majapahit “mandala” empire
○​ CHAMPA controlled a huge swathe of territory,
○​ CHENLA running from what is now southern
○​ ANGKOR Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, all the
○​ PAGAN (BAGAN) way through to the islands of Sumatra,
●​ Insular Southeast Asia: Java, Bali, Lombok and further east.
○​ SRIVIJAYA (SRIWIJAYA)
• Majapahit was a remarkably sophisticated
○​ LANGKASUKA
society whose wealth and power were built
○​ SAILENDRA
on a combination of political cunning, huge
○​ MAJAPAHIT (1293–ca.
rice harvests, and a navy so powerful that
1520s)
even the Portuguese, the European
Angkor Wat mariners extraordinaire, were impressed.

●​ Angkor means “capital city” while • Majapahit was a place of great artistic
Wat means “temple” in the Khmer achievement, religious diversity and social
language. tolerance.
●​ Angkor was Southeast Asia’s
• Kings worshipped Hindu and Buddhist
largest premodern polity,
divinities, and senior members of the
considered a powerful kingdom
priesthood were esteemed figures who held
that dominated much of mainland
powerful positions at court.
Southeast Asia.
●​ The temple of Angkor Wat was built • With around 278 million people, Indonesia
at the height of Cambodian political has the world’s fourth largest population,
power, during the reign of King becoming an economic powerhouse, just as
Suryavarman II. it was in the days of the Majapahit kings and
queens, and also an important player on the
Angkor Empire
diplomatic stage.
●​ Built in the early 12th century CE in
1.​ Kublai Khan ruled a vast empire that
the Khmer capital of Angkor.
had spread as far as the eastern
●​ Angkor Wat is the world’s largest
fringes of Europe.
religious building complex,
2.​ King Kertanegara had united a
located in Cambodia.
sprawling archipelago – known
today as Indonesia – for the first
 time in history and his power and • Considered a powerful maritime empire in
influence was growing across Southeast Asia, emerged in the 7th century
Southeast Asia. CE.
3.​ Hayam Vuruk (Indonesia ; Hayam
Wuruk) was a Javanese Hindu • It was a thalassocracy (a seaborne
emperor from the Rajasa dynasty empire) and a commercial sea-power.
and the 4th emperor of the
Majapahit Empire. • Srivijaya's political organization reflected a
complex hierarchy common in early
Downfall of Majapahit Southeast Asian states.

The empire began to decline after the death • Centralized monarchy led by a maharaja
of Gajah Mada in 1364, and it was further (great king)
weakened after the death of Hayam Wuruk
in 1389. • Hierarchical bureaucracy with various
ranks of officials and nobles
REASONS:
• Utilized a mandala system of governance,
• Regreg War erupted in 1404 – 1406 which
with core territories and tributary states.
weakened the empire’s control over its
vassal states. Downfall of Srivijaya
• The spread of Islam which led to the
The empire began to decline in the 13th
emergence of powerful Islamic kingdoms.
century due to internal conflicts and external
• The rising power of the Sultanate of
pressures.
Malacca, a major trading hub.
• Attacks from Chola Empire and the decline
• The invasion of Sultanate Demak.
of the spice trade.
• Rise of new trade routes
Srivijaya Empire
• Emergence of other regional powers.
• Srivijaya, located near today’s city of
Ayutthaya Empire
Palembang in southern Sumatra,
commanded control over the sea lanes
• It becomes the principal city of a territory
between the island and the Malay
known as Siam, occupying the deltaic plain
peninsula.
of the Chaophraya River, the Central Plain
• Founded around 600 AD, established by of Thailand today.
Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa, became the
first king of Sriviyjaya. • European travelers in the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries placed Ayutthaya or
• It was a trading empire and a centre of Siam among the three great powers of Asia
Buddhist learning. alongside China and India.

• It was formed on the island of Sumatra. • Ayutthaya’s rise (and fall) belongs instead
to an Asian story of Asian trading networks,
cultural influence from China and India, and
rivalries between regional neighbors.
• The early histories of Siam, compiled from • At the end of the thirteenth century,
the mid- nineteenth century, begin with the Sukhothai emerged as the chief place in the
foundation of Ayutthaya in 1351 in the royal Northern Cities.
chronicles.
Bagan (Pagan) Empire
• The appearance of “Dvaravati” in the • Meanwhile the demise of PAGAN
official city titles of the future capitals of (BAGAN) in the early part of the fourteenth
Ayutthaya and Bangkok suggests some century witnessed a power vacuum until the
larger importance. ascension of the FIRST AVA (INWA) DY-
NASTY (1364–1527 C. E.).
• This was a time of increasing trade, both
internal and external. • In terms of size, wealth, power, and
influence this new kingdom with its capital at
• The diffusion of “Dvaravati” style was Ava (situated 128 kilometers inland from its
associated with expansion of trade rather predecessor) was a smaller replica of
than political power. PAGAN (BAGAN).

• From the late ninth century onwards,

• Ava’s legacy lay in the sociocultural
Angkor’s magnetism was also felt in the
traditions that had their roots in PAGAN
Chaophraya Plain.
(BAGAN) that was preserved and
developed during the two centuries of the
• The Chao Phraya Plain, also known as the
FIRST AVA (INWA) DYNASTY (1364–1527
Central Plain, is the fertile, low-lying alluvial
C.E.) and continues to be evident to the
present day.
plain in central Thailand, encompassing the
Chao Phraya River basin and serving as the Downfall of Pagan
cultural and economic heartland of the
• The Pagan Kingdom, with Bagan as its
country.
capital, fell in 1287 due to repeated Mongol
invasions (1277- 1301), leading to a period
⚬ In the Chaophraya Plain, the adoption of
of political fragmentation that lasted for
Angkorian styles was patchy. Some local
centuries.
rulers chose to associate themselves with
Angkor –
• It was already weakened by internal
conflicts and external threats, including the
■ by forming marriage connections
growth of tax-free religious wealth, which
with the Angkor rulers
strained the crown's ability to maintain
loyalty.
■ sending symbolic tribute
Champa
■ building derivative monuments
• is a general term used to denote a se- ries
■ participating in the dynastic politics
of small kingdoms along the coastline of
– while others did not.
what is now central Vietnam.
• The first of these kingdoms was founded
at the end of the second century C.E.,
whereas the last was absorbed into the
modern state of Vietnam during the first half
of the nineteenth century.

• The name Champa first occurs in an

inscription at My Son dated to around 600
C.E., but it may, in fact, relate only to this
single valley system.

• From the eleventh century onward,

however, political power in Champa became
increasingly centralized under the kingdom
of Vijaya, in modern Binh Dinh Province.

Rise and Decline of Champa

• Champa, also known as Lâm Ấp (Linyi in
Chinese), existed in the region since 192
AD and reached its apogee in the 9th and
10th centuries.
• However, it began a gradual decline under
pressure from the Vietnamese kingdom of
Đại Việt.
• Champa suffered serious defeats at the
hands of the Vietnamese, in which 120,000
people were either captured or killed. 50
members of the Cham royal family and
some 20– 30,000 were taken prisoners and
deported, including the king of Champa Tra
Toan, who died along his way to the north in
captivity.