Colonial Economic Development Of Taiwan Under The Japanese 1895-1945 And Malaya Under The British 1874-1957: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This paper discusses the development of Malaya and Taiwan during the colonial period. The aims of the study are to examine the similarities and differences of economic developments of two colonies which were under the British and the Japanese rule. This study will look at the economic policies implemented by the Bristih in Malaya (1874-1957) and the Japanese in Taiwan (1895-1945) respectively. This study deployed a qualitative method based on secondary data. Both colonial powers developed economic activities in their colonies. Agriculture and mining economic activities were among the main economic activities run by the Japanese in Taiwan and the British in Malaya. The Japanese introduced modern seeds and agriculture techniques (e.g. paddy) for Taiwanese farmers. The British also introduced new commercial crops like rubber and palm oil. Both colonial powers also introduced a new method of mining in Malaya and Taiwan respectively. The major differences were the British did not encourage the native population (the Malays)  to be actively involved in modern economic activities, unlike the Japanese who strongly encouraged the native population to participate in Taiwan’s modern economic activities. It was further established that the British strongly encouraged labourers from India and Southern China to work in rubber plantation and to work tin mining industries respectively. This study concludes that though both colonial powers developed Malaya and Taiwan for their economic advantages, but it could not be denied that their policies and infrastructure development were important for post-colonial development. Their roles in shaping and moulding their peripheral states as to what they are at present are not to be denied nor forgotten.