History of Malaysia

Hey fellow adventurers! It’s time to discuss the history of Malaysia. Throughout the post, I’m going to use the name Malaysia for convenience but that’s a more recent name. Malaysia has been called Malaya in the past, as well as some other names. I’m sorry if that confuses anyone.

There is evidence to support that human activity has occurred in Malaysia for at least 40,000 years. Trade with China and India was established as far back as 100 BCE. Trade doesn’t just bring in buyable goods though, but culture and religion. By 400 CE, Buddhism and Hinduism were introduced to Malaysia via India. By 1300, Islam was introduced by Arab and Indian merchants. During what is sometimes called a “second flowering of Islam,” four Muslim empires (Ottoman, Safavid, Songhay and Mughal) gained strong political and military power, as well as economic prosperity. By the 1400s, the trading network was largely controlled by Muslims in the Southeast Asia area. To attract these traders to their cities, a lot of Hindu and Buddhist rulers converted to Islam and enforced Islamic law.

A few countries have occupied Malaysia throughout history but the British controlled Malaysia the longest. Although at first the British only wanted economic control over Malaysia, they soon wanted territorial control as well. Under British rule, the British brought in Indians to do manual labor, such as Tin mining. This made Indian and Chinese Malaysians the primary manual labor workforce. While Malay Malaysians had opportunities to work in government positions, such as for the police. Positions the British generally closed off to non-Europeans. Not only that but the British gave off the impression that the Malay Malaysians were the rulers of Malaysia but didn’t give them any authority to rule. This inequality created a rift between the races. If you want to learn more about Colonial control over Malaysia, read the following article:

http://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Malaysia/sub5_4a/entry-3619.html

During World War II, Japan set out to acquire resources that would free it from its dependence on the West. The Japanese shared a desire with several Southeast Asian countries to liberate countries under European control. The Japanese claimed they were going to make “Asia for Asians.” However soon after they began conquering countries, it became clear that they were more interested in resources, than liberation. The Japanese’s first act in Malaysia was to kill the Chinese Malaysians. After which, the Japanese established a rule, and you either followed or died. The occupation of the Japanese ended after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. If you wish to learn more, I highly recommend this show from history channel:

After Japanese occupation ended, it wasn’t long until the British took control again. This was welcomed by some Malaysians and dreaded by others. Those who wanted Malaysian independence fought to get rid of British control. In 1957, Malaysia is free from British control. And in 1963, Malaysia officially becomes Malaysia. If you would like a more comprehensive timeline of the history of Malaysia, check out BBC:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-15391762

I also recommend watching this interesting piece about former Malaysian communists that were kicked out of Malaysia while it was still Malaya:

That’s all for today’s post! I hope you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for reading my blog, and as always, until our next adventure!

7,682 thoughts on “History of Malaysia”

  1. This is really attention-grabbing, You’re an overly skilled blogger.
    I have joined your rss feed and look ahead to looking for extra of your great post.

    Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks

  2. Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your content seem to be running off
    the screen in Opera. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or
    something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know.
    The design and style look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Many
    thanks

  3. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to mention that I have really enjoyed surfing around your
    blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing for your rss feed and I’m
    hoping you write again very soon!

  4. Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility
    issues. When I look at your blog in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, terrific blog!

  5. Hi there would you mind letting me know which web host you’re using?
    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different web browsers
    and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.
    Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a fair price?
    Cheers, I appreciate it!

  6. After looking into a number of the blog articles on your
    web site, I seriously like your technique of writing a blog.
    I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future.

    Take a look at my website too and let me know what you think.

  7. I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head.

    The problem is something that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about.

    I’m very happy I came across this in my search for something regarding this.

  8. First off I want to say wonderful blog! I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if
    you don’t mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your head before
    writing. I’ve had a hard time clearing my thoughts in getting my
    ideas out. I truly do enjoy writing but it just seems
    like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally lost just trying to figure out how to begin.
    Any ideas or hints? Thank you!

  9. Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this
    board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot.
    I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.

  10. Whats up very cool web site!! Guy .. Excellent
    .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds also?
    I’m satisfied to seek out a lot of helpful information right here within the submit, we need work out more techniques on this regard, thanks for sharing.
    . . . . .

  11. I’ll right away take hold of your rss feed as I can not find
    your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service.
    Do you have any? Please let me recognize in order that I could
    subscribe. Thanks.

  12. Hello there, I discovered your web site via Google whilst looking
    for a comparable subject, your web site got here up, it appears good.
    I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
    Hello there, simply turned into aware of your weblog through Google, and
    located that it is really informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels.

    I will appreciate if you happen to proceed this in future.
    Numerous other folks might be benefited out of your writing.

    Cheers!

  13. It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy.
    I have read this post and if I could I wish to recommend you few attention-grabbing issues or suggestions.
    Perhaps you can write next articles relating to this article.

    I want to learn more issues about it!

  14. It’s remarkable to pay a visit this website and reading the views of all colleagues concerning this article,
    while I am also zealous of getting familiarity.

  15. I got this web page from my pal who informed me concerning
    this website and at the moment this time I am browsing this site
    and reading very informative posts at this place.

  16. What i don’t realize is in truth how you are no longer really a lot more neatly-liked than you might be now.
    You’re very intelligent. You realize thus significantly in the case of this topic,
    produced me personally consider it from so many numerous angles.
    Its like men and women are not interested except it’s something
    to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs great. At all times deal with
    it up!

  17. Excellent post. Keep posting such kind of info on your page.
    Im really impressed by it.
    Hi there, You’ve performed an excellent job.
    I will certainly digg it and individually suggest to my friends.
    I am sure they will be benefited from this web site.

  18. Hey I am so delighted I found your weblog, I really found
    you by accident, while I was researching on Bing for something else, Nonetheless I am here
    now and would just like to say kudos for a incredible post and a all round interesting
    blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so
    when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please
    do keep up the awesome jo.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *