Compare and contrast the colonial systems in the Dutch East Indies and French Indo-China.

The question requires that candidates give an account of the similarities and differences between colonial systems in the Dutch East Indies and French Indo-China, referring to both throughout. There does not need to be an equal number of each. Candidates may refer to the assimilation, or not, of local culture by the colonists, changes in governance, political practices as well as economic, social and religious policies of the colonists. Rigid social hierarchy existed between the colonists and the locals. Both colonial governments implemented forced cultivation and economically exploited their colonies, leading to a drain of wealth and in some cases famine. However, the Dutch introduced the Ethical Policy in 1901 which, to an extent, did consider the welfare of the locals. The French in the same year introduced corvée or unpaid labour. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates give an account of the similarities and differences between the colonial systems in the Dutch East Indies and French Indo-China, referring to both throughout. There was a broad time period given to this question to enable candidates to use relevant material in the different case studies.