Description
This book provides a survey of the history of South-East Asia for the use of students who are studying the theme for the first time. Though most students are interested in the modern period, it is impossible to understand the events of recent years without having some general knowledge of earlier days, and the first half-dozen chapters therefore give an outline of the history of peoples and kingdoms in those times. Thus Indonesian aspirations today are partly inspired by traditions of the greatness of ancient empires such as Majapahit.
Similarly, most students are likely to concentrate their attention on the major countries of South-East Asia, but the history and the present situation of those countries cannot be fully appreciated without some knowledge of the history of the minor countries. For example, the relations of Thailand with the French in the nineteenth century were largely determined by the position which had arisen in Cambodia; and the situation today in the Mekong valley has its origins far back in history, in the days when both Thai and Vietnamese were dangerous neighbours to the Khmer people.
ISBN:INTRODUCTIONT
