Over the past few centuries, Western imperialist expansion has significantly changed the Asia-Pacific region. (Borthwick 2007, 61) Essentially, colonialism is defined as “the control exercised by one country over another region and its population.” (Unknown, 2013) At this time, territorial expansion was a primary goal of England, France, the United States of America, and the Empire of Japan. Their ability to travel great distances combined with their military superiority allowed these countries to exert their influence and occupy a larger territory. This era helped profoundly shape the Southeast Asian region. This article will discuss how pre-World War II colonial rule affected the region's development as well as economic and societal changes. The Far East, more particularly Southeast Asia, was seen in the eyes of Westerners as a vast opportunity to develop a region until now, it was not industrialized. (Borthwick 2007, 80) Southeast Asia had been known to the Western world for centuries due to previously established land trade routes throughout the region. (Borthwick 2007, 65) Although many nations were imperialist, Britain and France were among the most vigorous in their quest for greater power. Imperialism in Southeast Asia rose thanks to the ability to transport military power by sea over long distances. From the early 1800s until World War II, these two countries ruled over a third of the world's surface. (Borthwick 2007, 81) Britain controlled India, Burma (Myanmar), Malaysia, British New Guinea, Singapore, Sarawak, Brunei, Bhutan and Hong Kong. Conversely, France controlled Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, as shown in Figure 1. Thailand, then Siam, was the only country that was never in the middle of paper...... , 2013).Kim, Wonik. “Rethinking Colonialism and the Origins of the Developmental State in East Asia.” Journal of Contemporary Asia, August 2009: 382-399. Shu, Min. “Waseda University.” nd http://www.aoni.waseda.jp/min.shu/documents/Hegemon.pdf (accessed November 22, 2013). Ty, Rey. Seasite Northern Illinois University. nd http://www.seasite.niu.edu/crossroads/ty/COLONIALISM_%20IN_SE%20ASIA.htm (accessed November 22, 2013). Unknown. “Maps.com.” Map of Imperialism in the Modern World, 1900. September 26, 2011. https://www.maps.com/ref_map.aspx?pid=11406 (accessed November 22, 2103).—. Merriam Webster Dictionary. 2013. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colonialism (accessed November 21, 2013). Wilson, Dr. Constance. Colonialism and nationalism in Southeast Asia. nd http://www.seasite.niu.edu/crossroads/wilson/colonialism.htm (accessed November 22, 2013).