October 25, 2006

Positive and negative aspects of colonial rule in Cambodia/S.E. Asia

1. Improved hygiene (only available to those who had access).
2. Introduction of Western-style medicine (only available to those who had access).
3. 3.Improved infrastructure.
4. Elimination of the Confucian training system.
5. Loss of culture – Vietnamese no longer taught. French is introduced but forced to still live as 2nd class citizens.
6. Production of elite pro-French class.
7. Introduction of Christianity split the country on two lines – Catholics/Christians and Buddhists. Catholic converts guided the French on campaigns against the non-Christian Vietnamese.
8. Working class resorts to smoking opium as a means of escape.
9. Introduction of tenancy.

November 1, 2006

Devaraja and mandala – divine king with a state and/or territory.

Theravada Buddhism – Thai borrowed this form of Buddhism from the Mon people. They also borrowed the Cambodian writing system, adapting it to a polyphonic style (Khmer were monophonic).

The Tái people – from what is now modern-day southern China – not ethnic Han.

Kingdoms of the Thai people

1. Sukhothai
2. Chienmai
3. Ayuthia
4. Attacked the Khmer empire. Burmese attacked and devastated Ayuthia.

Cambodia – caught between Vietnam and Siam. Siam between Burma (British) and Vietnam (French). Colonial powers exhausted themselves and this saved Siam.

1780 – New capital: Bangkok – the Kingdom of Bangkok after the sacking of the older capital. Adopted the Indian/Hindu system. If the capital was sacked the ruler must move to a new mandala.