Impacts of World War II on the Colonies of South East Asia

Introduction

During World War II, there were both negative and positive impacts on the colonies of South East Asia. Some of the positive impacts of World War II on the colonies of South East Asia include conquering of the territories and political dominance. During world War II, the colonies gained massively by dominating various territories that they never managed to dominate in the past before the war began which was a massive gain for the colonies in the long run (Lees, 2021). Also, the colonies of South East Asia gained complete control of raw materials such as oil and rubber which made them wealthy and powerful in the long run. Therefore, the colonies gained economically after gaining from the oil as a major raw material from South East Asia which made the colonies have a stronger economic background. Furthermore, there was cultural exchange, foreign exchange as well as material exchange. However, there were negative impacts on the colonies of South East Asia such as loss of lives since many people died during World War II (Lees, 2021). Also, there was imperialism where there was massive discrimination when it came to some skilled positions where some people were not favored in the process which led to the emergence of poor income groups. This paper aims to explore both the positive and negative impacts of World War II on the colonies of South East Asia.

1.1 Positive Impacts

Some of the positive impacts of World War II on the colonies of South East Asia include conquering of the territories and political dominance. During World War II, the colonies gained massively by dominating various territories that they never managed to dominate in the past before the war began which was a massive gain for the colonies in the long run. Also, the colonies of South East Asia gained complete control of raw materials such as oil and rubber which made them wealthy and powerful in the long run (Lees, 2021). Moreover, the colonies gained economically after gaining from the oil as a major raw material from South East Asia which made the colonies have a stronger economic background. Moreover, due to the reason that colonies of South East Asia participated in trade with South East Asia there was cultural exchange, foreign exchange as well as material exchange. The reason was that the trade thrived by using trade routes that were built for trading which encouraged immigration and movement of people from one territory to another due to the freedom that existed at such a time.

Also, there was a need to protect trade and trade routes which were used for moving or transporting goods from one destination to another. Furthermore, another positive impact that occurred from the World War II on the colonies of South East Asia was that women enjoyed from high status in the society. The reason was that women were often enlightened when it came to social, economic as well as cultural or political rights (Lees, 2021). Also, women were taught about their various societal duties as well as responsibilities. Additionally, the colonies gained so much wealth such as tea and ivory from South East Asia. Nevertheless, the colonies of South East Asia managed to gain monopoly over the thriving trade because the trade was quite valuable. The reason was that there was high demand for various spices like pepper and nutmeg. Also, colonies of South East Asia gained from the massive impact that occurred on various populations as well as economies of the entire region where immigrants were favored when it came to skilled positions. Moreover, there was introduction of formal education where ideas and knowledge were passed on to illiterate people and that proved to be advantageous to the colonies of South East Asia. Therefore, it is safe to say that Asia experienced a massive transformational growth.

1.2 Negative impacts

A lot of attention was given to studying the battles of war but there was insufficient consideration on the magnitude effects on survivors of South East Asia. Some of the most-felt negative effects included:

4. World War II caused the death of approximately 3 percent of the world’s population. The 6 years of ground battles caused immense destruction to homes and the economies of various countries. People lost loved ones in tragic events associated with the war as Southeast Asia lost up to 4.4 million civilians.
5. Economic problems. The French and British had to raise taxes in their Asian colonies in order to sustain their war efforts. This burden fell on the poor people who had to work harder. The GDP of most Southeast Asian countries fell by half.
6. Famine and Hunger. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan decided not to send any food or medicine to Southeast Asia. Millions of people starved to death in North Vietnam. Almost all of Southeast Asia was malnourished. Southeast Asia was weakly industrialized to manufacture basic goods. They had to wear gunny sacks as clothes,
7. Forced Labour. The Thailand-Burma Railway construction that was done in inhumane conditions caused a death of 86,000 people. Women were used as comfort objects by Armys and Navys.
8. Black markets. Southeast Asians had to survive and the desperation led to the growth of black markets. Stolen and Looted goods were peddled in these markets.
9. Prostitution Gambling. Women had no other way but to use prostitution as a source of income. They needed to feed their families especially since most of them had lost their husbands in the battle fields. People fell into the holes of gambling as a coping mechanism. Lack of education and proper leadership left the citizens of countries in Southeast Asia incapable of doing decent jobs to ear income.
10. Political oppression. Karl (2012), explains how southeast Asia went through political oppression that left the subject countries inherently unstable. Divide and rule strategies politicized differences and left these countries incapable of running independently. Nations in Southeast Asia remain prevalent as in the period of post-war decolonization. These nations still lack stability and have identity issues.
11. Zero development. After the colonizers left, transport systems collapse, roads were not maintained and famine continued to hit. As Japan quickly picked up and revived its economy, Southeast Asia continued stagnating for much longer.

Conclusion

For most of the regions of Southeast Asia, a fundamental societal shift was experienced. Everything that happened during the war, whether positive or negative, opened the way for post-war social and political transformations. Recovery per capita GDP was slow for several countries but eventually they recovered and gained independence. Although most countries gained full power in their various economies during the 1990s, it is safe to say that Asia experienced a massive transformational growth after the war.

LIST OF REFERENCES

Karl, H. (2012). Decolonization and violence in Southeast Asia: Crises of identity and authority, 137-166

Lees, N. (2021). The Brandt Line after forty years: The more North–South relations change, the more they stay the same? Review of International Studies, 47(1), 85-106.