The mainland states of Southeast Asia had better success in resisting European encroachment than did the Spice Islands and Malay states because

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mainland states of Southeast Asia, such as Siam (Thailand), Burma (Myanmar), and Vietnam, had stronger and more centralized monarchies that enabled them to resist European encroachment. These monarchies were able to negotiate with Europeans from a position of strength and were often successful in maintaining their independence. In contrast, the Spice Islands and Malay states were less politically cohesive and more vulnerable to European penetration and domination.

The Mainland States of Southeast Asia Had Better Success in Resisting