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The Thais came from southern China and settled in the Khmer area. Thais along with the Khmer governed much of Indochina. Buddhism was introduced, replacing HInduism.
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Colonization was led by Portugal. European powers came to the region in search of spices and other trade goods. Many missionaries followed the Europeans with hopes of spreading christianity.
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Dutch traders drove the Portugese out of much of the region. The Dutch only left the small island of Timor alone. They gained control of tea and spice trade on what is now the Dutch Indies.
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The British and French set up colonies with plantations, railroads and mines. Many peole from China and India came to work in these colonies. The British and French spread christianity.
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The U.S. won the Phillipines from Spain after the Spanish-American War. Soon after colonial powers ruled much of the region. Only Thialand remained uncolonized, but it did loose land.
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During WWII Japan invaded a lot of Southeast Asia, including the Phillippines. When Japan lost the war the U.S. gave the Phillippines independance. Soon after, other people around this region began the fight for indepencance aswell.
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When the French left, Vietnam was divided into North and South Vietnam. The civil wars strarted in South Vietnam. Years of war led to millions of deaths only for both countries to reunite in the end.
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Civil wars took place in both Cambodia and Laos. Communist forces took over both places. More than 1 million people died in Cambodia.
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Ferdinand Magellan reached the Phillipenes and claimed the island for Spain. The spainards who followed came to colonize, trade, and spread Roman Catholicism. The religion is still the main faith in the Phillippins today.
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The Khmer was the regions most advanced early civilization. They controled a large empire, which is now known as Cambodia. A huge temple complex the Khmer built reflects there advanced civilization and HIndu religion.
