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GEOG 240 - Unit IAsia Pacific Region: Cultural and Historical Patterns

Francis YeeCamosun College

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Asia Pacific: Geographical and Historical Patterns

I. The Asia-Pacific RegionA. Geographical RegionsB. Concepts of Asia

II.   Culture and ReligionIII.  Historical DevelopmentIV. Current Political issues

 

IA. Geographical Regions

1. Pacific Rim Region (a broad geographical region) included Americas, Russia, E & SE Asia, & Australasia

2. Asia-Pacific Region (focus of the course)a) East Asia b) Southeast Asia

Maritimes SE Asia and Mainland SE Asia

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Countries in East and Southeast Asia East Asia

, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Mongolia

Northeast Asia: China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea

Southeast Asia Maritimes SE Asia:

Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, Timor

Mainland SE Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos

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B. Concepts of Asia

1. Marx’s “Asiatic mode of production” Exploitation of rural peasants by the rich &

powerful

2. Colonizer’s Model Diffusion of European civilization & progress to

Periphery countries

3. Myths of Asia single entity, homogeneous & unity, alien & inferior

4. Environmental Determinism an early geographical approach which included biases,

such as ethnocentrism, Euro-centrism, we-they syndrome (Asia is considered as underdeveloped)

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C. Culture & Religion

1. Spatial diversity in languages, ethnicity and migration patterns

2. Confucianism

3. Religions Universalizing: Buddhism, Islam, and

Christianity Ethnic: Hinduism, Daoism, Shintoism,

Animism

1. Ethno-linguistic Groups in China and SE Asia – large variations in cultural systems

and beliefsE.g. 55 minority groups in China700 living languages are spoken in

Indones

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2. Confucianism: which country is considered the most Confucian?

Confucianism: spread from China to Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong

Confucius – born 551 BC in Shandong Province; a leader of ethics, ritual and philosophy

Philosophy – hierarchical structure of responsibility and duty; filial piety (family relationship); emphasis on education (for all males).

A statue of Confucius at the University of Xi’an, China (Photo by F. Yee, 2007)

3. Religions: Origins and Spatial Distribution

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Northern India – Hinduism and Buddhism

Saudi Arabia – IslamJerusalem - Christianity

Universalizing Religions (can you identify the dominant religion in each country in E or SE Asia?)

Buddhism – originated 2500 years ago in N India; widespread influence in E & SE Asia ; balance relationship with nature; co-existence with local religions

Islam – originated 1400 years ago and brought to SE Asia through trade

Christianity – brought to Asia since 13th century through exploration, trade and colonial activities, and globalization

Large number of the Malay population visit the Mosque regularly, including the

Putra mosque in Putrajaya in Malaysia (Photo by F. Yee 2007) 10

Ethnic Religions Daoism – existed for 2500

years in China, emphasize on the unity of people and nature; balance of yin and yang

• Hinduism – oldest religion, polytheistic, caste system, spread from India to SE Asia

• Shintoism in Japan - worship of spirits in nature; focused on natural harmony and human existence;

• Animism – worship of nature, practiced by small groups in parts of SE Asia

A Shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan (Photo by F. Chow 2005)

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III. Historical and Political Development

A. European Exploration and Influence

B. Industrialization and commercialization

C. Colonialism

D. World War

E. Decolonization, Independence, and Nationalism

F. Cold War

G. Post Cold-War

A. European Exploration and Influence

Philippines (Spain control since 1521)

Indonesia (Dutch control from 1596) Macao (Portugal trading base since

1557)

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B. Industrialization and commercialization

Industrialization: Mass production, use of machines, new

market & economic expansion Britain (since 1750s) Continental Europe (from 1800-1850s) Japan (beginning in 1880s)

Mercantilism (dominated by European powers): raw materials from colonies; manufactured goods from colonial powers; trade restricted

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C. Colonialism and Imperialism

Forms of control Colonies (direct administrative control),

Extra-territoriality (administrative and legal control in parts of the country),

Spheres of influence (trade and economic domination)

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China and East Asia

NE China and Taiwan (controlled by Japan after 1895)-Korea (controlled by Japan since 1910 )-Hong Kong (ceded to Britain by China after the Opium War, 1840-42)-Parts of China were under the spheres of influence and treaty ports control by Britain, Germany, France and other countries

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D. World War II in Asia Pacific

1937-1945 (Japan invaded China) 1941-1945 (Japan controlled most of E and

SE Asia) Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was

promoted by Japan 1945 Japan surrendered after nuclear

bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

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E. Decolonization, Nationalism & Independence

Decolonization – process to become political independent from colonial powers.

Peaceful transitions occurred in

Philippines (1946) Malaysia (1957) Burma (1948)

Military struggles took place before independence realized in

Indonesia (1950) [Sukarno] Vietnam (1975) [Ho Chi-

Minh]Billboard celebrating 50 years of independence in Malaysia (Photo by F. Yee 2007)

F. Cold-War (1950s-1990)

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Vs. Warsaw Pact

Capitalism Vs. Communism Domino theory (proposed by U.S.):

spreading of communism in one country (e.g. Vietnam) will lead to communist control in neighbouring countries

Major areas of conflicts between US (NATO) and communist based or supported countries: Korea; Taiwan; Vietnam; Cambodia, Laos,

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G. Post Cold War Period

domination of USRise of Regional Power - China

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IV. Current Political Issue 1. US Vs. China

a) ideological differences,

b) economic competition,

c) security umbrella & rise of military power,

d) access to resources

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Current Political Issue (contd.)

2. Territorial Conflicts between China, Japan, on Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands and between Japan and S. Korea on Dokdo/Takeshima

3. North Korea Missile and Nuclear Tests

4. Legacies of Japanese colonialism: Forced Sex Slaves, visit of Yakushuni Shrine

5. Overlapping Claims in South China Sea

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Readings

Weightman, Dragons and Tigers, ch. 1.

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