Going Ashore
nEuropeans were able to control Asian seas, but not inland territories.
qThe vast Asian armies offset European technological and organizational advantages.
qThus Europeans accepted the power of Asian rulers in return for permission to trade.
qOnly in a few regions did war occur.
nThe Portuguese and Dutch conquered coastal areas of Sri Lanka to control cinnamon.
nIn Java the Dutch expanded from their base at Batavia to dominate coffee production.
nBy the mid-18th century they were the paramount power in Java.
nThe Spanish in the Philippines conquered the northern islands, but failed in the Islamic south.
