Transcript Southeast Asia

SOUTHEAST ASIA
Physical Geography of Southeast Asia
• South of China, East of India,
North of Australia
• Two main chunks –
Indochina Peninsula
Malay Archipelago
• Archipelagos – chains of
islands
• Many small seas
• Tropical, wet climate
• Part of Ring of Fire
What would the “Ring of
Fire” do for this region?
Why was this region in
the news in 2004?
Human Geography of Southeast Asia
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Historical Spice Trade source for Europe
Rice-paddy agriculture
Main religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam
Influenced by India, China, and Europe
All but East Timor are members of ASEAN:
“Association of Southeast Asian Nations”
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Economies of region all affected by “Globalization”, the
international spread of trade and industry from rich
countries to developing countries.
Nations of Southeast Asia
Indochina Peninsula
• Cambodia – 15 million
• Laos – 6 million
• Myanmar – 51 million
• Thailand – 63 million
• Vietnam – 85 million
Malay Archipelago
• Indonesia – 222
million
• Malaysia – 27 million
• Brunei – 380,000
• Philippines – 85
million
• Singapore – 5 million
• East Timor – 1 million
Overview of the Malay Archipelago
Indonesia – Enormous nation of islands with diverse cultures
and religions, largest nation in region.
Malaysia – Wealthy, stable Muslim country with Britishinfluenced government. Strong economy due to international
trade, regional banking
Brunei – Tiny Muslim nation run by a Sultan. Extremely
wealthy due to oil and foreign investment.
Philippines – Large nation of islands, Spanish-influenced,
Roman Catholic. Large population, mostly poor. Formerly a
US possession.
Singapore – City-State, former British colony, now an
extremely wealthy microstate, Chinese population with very
strict laws.
East Timor – Former Portuguese colony, annexed by
Indonesia in 1975, now an independent country.
Overview of Indochina
Cambodia – Buddhist country, formerly run by
Khmer Rouge; “Killing Fields” massacres
Laos – Poor Buddhist country, mostly
subsistence agriculture, hasn’t recovered from
recent wars.
Myanmar – Also called Burma, run by military
dictatorship.
Thailand – Independent Buddhist monarchy,
large population and rapidly improving economy
based on industry and tourism to Bangkok.
Vietnam – Communist country, dominant state in
Indochina, site of the Vietnam War (1954-1975).
The Vietnam War
Vietnam War Pt 1 – 1945-1954
• After WW2, France ruled Vietnam as a colony.
• France driven out by Viet Cong (Communists),
led by Ho Chi Minh, in 1954.
• Geneva Accords (1954) created North Vietnam
(Communist) and South Vietnam (Democratic),
but Ho Chi Minh wanted a united Vietnam.
• Domino Theory– fear of spread of Communism
– US sends troops to stop Viet Cong.
Why is it called the “Domino Theory”?
What was going on in the world that
made the US worry about Communism
spreading?
Vietnam War Pt 2 – 1954-1975
• Escalation (1964-1969) after Gulf of
Tonkin Resolution – US sends in more
troops, up to 500,000 at any time.
• Viet Cong shuttle supplies in along the
Ho Chi Minh Trail.
• Tet Offensive (1968) – Vietcong
surprise attack on US soldiers during
New Years holiday, changed public
perception of war.
• “Vietnamization” (1969-1973) – US
shifts load to South Vietnam, starts
pulling out of Vietnam. North Vietnam
enters war openly.
• Fall of South Vietnam (1973-1975) –
North Vietnam wins, unifies Vietnam.
Aftermath of Vietnam War
• Vietnam became a Communist country, but
“Domino Theory” never happened.
• Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot, “Killing Fields” of Cambodia
• Refugees fled region – “Boat People” came to US
and other SE Asian nations.
What do you think the Vietnam War did to the
United States? What about to Texas?
Cambodia and the Killing Fields
• After the Vietnam War, Cambodia was taken
over by an extreme communist group called
the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, from 1975
to 1979-1980ish.
• They wanted make Cambodia into a classless
society where everyone lived on collective
farms.
• To do this, they tried to wipe out their
enemies, anyone who didn’t go along with the
plan.
• They killed about 4 million people, ½ of
Cambodia. The bodies were buried in mass
graves, called the “Killing Fields”.
Conflict in Spratlys and Paracels
• Small islands in the South China Sea
• Claimed by China, but also claimed by
Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan, and Malaysia.
• These countries all have military forces in
the islands, and occasionally they fight.
• Why? Oil and natural gas!
2004 Christmas Tsunami
• December 26, 2004 – 9.3
earthquake off the coast of
Indonesia triggered a
tsunami.
• Tsunami swept around the
Indian Ocean, killing
almost 250,000 people
• Later, there was an 8.3
earthquake in the same
place, but luckily no
tsunami formed.