Changes

The link between Darwinism, atheism and politics grew strong in the late 1800s.  Beginning in 1887, social scientists were using the term “social Darwinism” to apply a barbaric survival-of-the-fittest theory to social situations.  Under this theory, the wealthiest or most powerful in society must be biologically superior, and less “fit” persons should die or simply be killed like weak animals.  Soon many began to view racial struggles, and war itself, as a perfectly natural form of survival-of-the-fittest in the human race.  The horrific wars of the 20th century, employing shockingly brutal tactics, were encouraged by a belief in survival-of-the-fittest among humans.

The link between Darwinism, atheism and politics grew strong in the late 1800s.  Beginning in 1887, social scientists were using the term “social Darwinism” to apply a barbaric survival-of-the-fittest theory to social situations.  Under this theory, the wealthiest or most powerful in society must be biologically superior, and less “fit” persons should die or simply be killed like weak animals.  Soon many began to view racial struggles, and war itself, as a perfectly natural form of survival-of-the-fittest in the human race.  The horrific wars of the 20th century, employing shockingly brutal tactics, were encouraged by a belief in survival-of-the-fittest among humans.

England was the strongest nation in the world at the time of Darwin, but its embrace of evolution, atheism and socialism weakened it dramatically.  The United States, where most reject Darwinism, rose from being a relatively weak country at the time of Darwin to becoming by far the strongest nation in the world today.

England was the strongest nation in the world at the time of Darwin, but its embrace of evolution, atheism and socialism weakened it dramatically.  The United States, where most reject Darwinism, rose from being a relatively weak country at the time of Darwin to become by far the strongest nation in the world today.

'''Social Reform'''

'''Social Reform'''

=== Southeast Asia ===

=== Southeast Asia ===

As trade expanded beyond Africa and India to Southeast Asia, so did imperialism.  Britain established a trading post and supply station at Singapore, the French acquired influence over Indochina, the Dutch grabbed Indonesia, and the Germans dominated New Guinea, the Marshalls, and the Solomons.  The United States were imperialistic by acquiring the Philippines and Hawaiian Islands.  The only country that successfully resisted western imperialism was Siam, which is now Thailand.  It was respected as a buffer zone between the British colony of Burma and the French colony of Indochina.  That gave Siam (Thailand) the best of both worlds:  western technology (hospitals, railroads, communications, etc.) without losing its own culture.

As trade expanded beyond Africa and India to Southeast Asia, so did imperialism.  Britain established a trading post and supply station at Singapore, the French acquired influence over Indochina, the Dutch grabbed Indonesia, and the Germans dominated New Guinea, the Marshalls, and the Solomons.  The United States was imperialistic by acquiring the Philippines and Hawaiian Islands.  The only country that successfully resisted western imperialism was Siam, which is now Thailand.  It was respected as a buffer zone between the British colony of Burma and the French colony of Indochina.  That gave Siam (Thailand) the best of both worlds:  western technology (hospitals, railroads, communications, etc.) without losing its own culture.

The story of French imperialism in Southeast Asia is simple:  since the 1800s France has dominated several countries, including Vietnam, known as French Indochina.  Rubber and rice were the key crops for France, and the harvesting and exporting of these crops caused Vietnamese to resent the French.  In the mid-1900s, communists in Vietnam overthrew French influence and forced the United States to pull out of the country also.

The story of French imperialism in Southeast Asia is simple:  since the 1800s France has dominated several countries, including Vietnam, known as French Indochina.  Rubber and rice were the key crops for France, and the harvesting and exporting of these crops caused Vietnamese to resent the French.  In the mid-1900s, communists in Vietnam overthrew French influence and forced the United States to pull out of the country also.