When the Europeans powers came to Southeast Asia, their main interest was for their own economic gain, to exploit the resources of the Southeast Asian colonies. However, the traditional administrative system at that time was unable to facilitate their motive. Therefore, they introduced changes to the traditional system so as to strengthen their control of their system. As these changes were there for the better, it was, in one way or another, the path towards modernization. However, the above assertion seem to mean that the colonial powers came to Southeast Asia with the main intention to modernize Southeast Asia, which is an unfair assessment of colonial rule. Rather, there were certain areas in Southeast Asia, which did not become a modern sate but rather remained as it was in the traditional past. Therefore, though colonial rule brought modernization to Southeast Asia, it would be too extreme to consider it as a true achievement.

We have to observe that colonial expansion had modernized Southeast Asia in several ways, leading to

However, to say that the creation of Southeast Asia may seem as a true achievement may be too unfair to the Southeast Asians, as the Southeast Asians had also suffered under the colonial system. Also, there were certain areas in Southeast Asia which still remained as it was in the traditional era. The area of education and schools was largely undeveloped and still remained as similar as it was in Southeast Asia’s traditional past. Schools were not able to run efficiently due to the lack of funds, facilities and teachers. The French practically spent nothing on education, as there was no real need for educated Khmers in the administration and the economy. Much of the education was focused at the elementary level, as it was too costly. Thus did not prepare the colonial masses for the rapidly modernizing economy. Very few natives received a tertiary education. This hindered the development of a ruling class capable of governing Southeast Asia. Traditional ruling classes received the best education, which helped them to remain in power even after independence. For example, in Siam, Mongkut’s educational policies merely benefited the nobles, but not the villagers and the commoners. Thus, the education and schooling condition in Southeast Asia was more similar to the traditional era rather than being modern.

Some topics in this essay:
Southeast Asia, Southeast Asian, Southeast Asians, Inland Revenue, Southeast Asia’s, Asia Centrally, Malay Chiefs, southeast asia, Governor-General Doumer’s, Siam Chulalongkorn, Straits Settlements’, southeast asian, true achievement, colonial expansion, southeast asians, modern southeast asian, modern southeast, creation modern, creation modern southeast, exploitation process, true achievement colonial, economic exploitation, traditional southeast, achievement colonial expansion, expense traditional southeast,