GEOG 240 — Unit I Asia Pacific Region

GEOG 240 - Unit I Asia Pacific Region: Cultural and Historical Patterns Francis Yee Camosun College 1

Asia Pacific: Geographical and Historical Patterns The Asia-Pacific Region I. A. B. Geographical Regions Concepts of Asia II. Culture and Religion III. Historical Development IV. Current Political issues 2

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 3

Countries in East and Southeast Asia n East Asia , Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Mongolia n Northeast Asia: China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea n n Southeast Asia Maritimes SE Asia: Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, Timor n Mainland SE Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos n 4

B. Concepts of Asia 1. Marx’s “Asiatic mode of production” n Exploitation of rural peasants by the rich & powerful 2. Colonizer’s Model n Diffusion of European civilization & progress to Periphery countries 3. Myths of Asia n single entity, homogeneous & unity, alien & inferior 4. Environmental Determinism n an early geographical approach which included biases, such as ethnocentrism, Euro-centrism, we-they syndrome (Asia is considered as underdeveloped) 5

C. Culture & Religion Spatial diversity in languages, ethnicity and migration patterns 2. Confucianism 3. Religions 1. ¨ ¨ Universalizing: Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity Ethnic: Hinduism, Daoism, Shintoism, Animism 6

1. Ethno-linguistic Groups in China and SE Asia – n large variations in cultural systems and beliefs n E. g. 55 minority groups in China n 700 living languages are spoken in Indones 7

2. Confucianism: which country is considered the most Confucian? n Confucianism: spread from China to Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong n Confucius – born 551 BC in Shandong Province; a leader of ethics, ritual and philosophy n 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) 8

3. Religions: Origins and Spatial Distribution n Northern India – Hinduism and Buddhism n Saudi Arabia – Islam n Jerusalem - Christianity 9

Universalizing Religions (can you identify the dominant religion in each country in E or SE Asia? ) n Buddhism – originated 2500 years ago in N India; widespread influence in E & SE Asia ; balance relationship with nature; coexistence with local religions n Islam – originated 1400 years ago and brought to SE Asia through trade n Christianity – brought to Asia since 13 th 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 10 (Photo by F. Yee 2007)

Ethnic Religions n 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) 11

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 12

A. European Exploration and Influence n n n Philippines (Spain control since 1521) Indonesia (Dutch control from 1596) Macao (Portugal trading base since 1557) 13

B. Industrialization and commercialization n Industrialization: n Mass production, use of machines, new market & economic expansion n Britain (since 1750 s) Continental Europe (from 1800 -1850 s) Japan (beginning in 1880 s) n Mercantilism (dominated by European powers): n raw materials from colonies; n manufactured goods from colonial powers; n trade restricted 14

C. Colonialism and Imperialism Forms of control n Colonies (direct administrative control), n Extra-territoriality (administrative and legal control in parts of the country), n Spheres of influence (trade and economic domination) 15

China and East Asia n 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 16

D. World War II in Asia Pacific n 1937 -1945 (Japan invaded China) n 1941 -1945 (Japan controlled most of E and SE Asia) n Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was promoted by Japan n 1945 Japan surrendered after nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 17

E. Decolonization, Nationalism & Independence Decolonization – process to become political independent from colonial powers. Peaceful transitions occurred in n Philippines (1946) n Malaysia (1957) n Burma (1948) Military struggles took place before independence realized in n Indonesia (1950) [Sukarno] n Vietnam (1975) [Ho Chi. Minh] Billboard celebrating 50 years of independence in Malaysia (Photo by F. Yee 2007) 18

F. Cold-War (1950 s-1990) n NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Vs. Warsaw Pact n Capitalism Vs. Communism n Domino theory (proposed by U. S. ): spreading of communism in one country (e. g. Vietnam) will lead to communist control in neighbouring countries n Major areas of conflicts between US (NATO) and communist based or supported countries: Korea; Taiwan; Vietnam; Cambodia, Laos, 19

G. Post Cold War Period ndomination of US n. Rise of Regional Power - China 20

IV. Current Political Issue n 1. US Vs. China a) b) c) d) ideological differences, economic competition, security umbrella & rise of military power, access to resources 21

Current Political Issue (contd. ) 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 2. 22

Readings n Weightman, Dragons and Tigers, ch. 1. 23