The Europeans had made great strides in technological innovation during the industrial revolution. They had invented new weaponry and firearms that were far more powerful and accurate than anything the local armies possessed. This gave the Europeans a decisive edge in warfare and made it much easier for them to conquer and control the region.
Military Strength
European armies were much larger and more disciplined than the armies of the local states. They were also equipped with better weapons and supplies. The Europeans were able to use their superior military strength to defeat any resistance and establish their dominance in the region.
Economic Power
The Europeans were also much richer than the local states. They had access to vast amounts of capital and could easily finance their military campaigns. The local economies were often weak and underdeveloped, making them unable to resist the economic might of the Europeans.
Political Division
The local states in south and southeast Asia were often divided and in conflict with each other. This made it difficult for them to unite and resist the European invasion. The Europeans were able to exploit the political divisions within the region to their advantage and weaken their opponents.
Lack of Unity
The local people were also often divided along religious and ethnic lines. This made it difficult for them to present a united front against the Europeans. The Europeans were able to take advantage of these divisions and turn the local people against each other.
In conclusion, the Europeans were able to dominate much of south and southeast Asia in the 19th and 20th centuries primarily because of their technological superiority, military strength, economic power, political division, and lack of unity among the local people. These factors combined to make the Europeans the dominant force in the region for over a century.