How did Europeans gain control of most of Southeast Asia? Arrival of Europeans Europeans were interested in the spice trade Portuguese were first to reach Southeast Asia in 1511 Dutch set up trading post in 1596. Dutch pushed out Portuguese and were the main European traders in Southeast Asia European Power Grows In the 1700s and 1800s Europeans wanted sugar, coffee and tea Industrial Revolution increased need for raw materials and markets British gained control of Malaya, Singapore, and Burma France gained French Indochina [Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia] Thailand Escapes European Rule Then known as Siam Located between British Burma and French Indochina King Mongkut hired Europeans to help Thailand modernize The Philippines Under Foreign Rule 1521 Philippines were claimed by Spain In 1890s Filipinos rebelled against Spanish rule United States went to war against Spain in 1898 U.S. won and took control of the Philippines Impact of Colonial Rule Economies were based on cash crops and other exports Raw materials were exported and finished products imported- Southeast Asia became dependent on Europeans Europeans built modern transportation systems, schools, and universities Education lead to growth of middle class and nationalism