Southeast Asian Trade: 1450-1914

A major factor of Southeast Asian economy that stayed the same during the time period of 1450-1914 was that the economy it was always a strong one. Evidence of this is found as early back as when the Portuguese first conquered land in Southeast Asia. They traded spices and other goods Southeast Asia produced to keep Southeast Asian economy wealthy. When the Portuguese first conquered, they only mainly conquered Java so the rest of the Southeast Asian independent kingdoms were trading with the Dutch owned the Java making it prosper. When the Dutch took over though, Southeast Asia prospered even more. The Dutch used almost all of their powers to maintain their trade monopoly their since they were getting attacked numerous times. The Dutch needed many materials that Southeast Asian kingdoms provided for them therefore making Southeast Asia prosper more than before. Also the Dutch used Southeast Asian trading best when they traded all the spices and other goods more than any other country had before, such as the silver trade. This is showing that Southeast Asian economy has forever prospered. Southeast Asia was most prosperous however when Britain and France and the Dutch all had colonies there. They were oral large imperial powers and therefore used their trade wisely and efficiently. This is another example showing how Southeast Asian trade was strong throughout history. Hence Southeast Asian trade and economy was stronger throughout history which shows that it was not a change but therefore a continuity.