Why did the Europeans fare better in their attempts to colonize the islands of Southeast Asia than they did in their attempts to colonize the mainland states?

Answer 1

Europeans fared better in colonizing the islands of Southeast Asia due to the region's fragmented political landscape and the relatively smaller, less organized societies compared to the mainland states. The islands often had weaker local governance and were more susceptible to European naval power and advanced military technology. In contrast, the mainland states, such as those in present-day Vietnam and Thailand, had established, centralized governments and strong military traditions that resisted foreign domination more effectively. Additionally, the geographic and logistical challenges of land-based colonization made it more difficult for Europeans to exert control over the mainland compared to the more accessible islands.