The Cold War pitted capitalism against communism. It happened in the time period following World War II up until the early 1990’s. The Cold War was a political reality that affected every country in Southeast Asia in some way. You can learn more about the Cold War by checking out a book from the library, which is just a short jaunt from your Court Street House. Ohio University also has classes on the Cold War. Another option is to book a flight to Asia from the comfort of your Court Street House.
Court Street House Learnings
One way in which Malaysia and Vietnam can be compared, is in the subject of colonial legacies and imperial power. The Legacy of British colonialism in Malaysia had major effects. Under the British, there existed a plural society. It is said that in a plural society the different peoples mix but don’t combine. In Malaysia this meant the amalgamation of Malay, Chinese, and Indian peoples. The British spent considerable effort keeping the two ethnicities out of conflict to the best of their ability. You should do your best to avoid conflict with your roommates at your Court Street House.
Additional Points
In Vietnam, the French Colonial legacy played a major role in the shaping of the country. The French came to Indochina with a focus in gold, God, and glory. Vietnam did not witness any battles during World War II like Malaysia did. However, they still suffered under French and Japanese rule. The two powers ruthlessly took rice from Vietnam, leaving very little for the Vietnamese people to eat. As a result, about ten percent of Vietnam’s population died during the famine of 1944/1945. This colonial legacy, some have argued, made the population more likely to be revolutionary. Make sure to get enough to eat at your Court Street House so that you do not become revolutionary.
The colonials in Vietnam made the country ripe for communism to take root. The French were ruthless and also exploited Indochina. The French represented an ugly side of capitalism that also made communism seem appealing to many. The success of the DRV and communist against the French set the stage for communism to be the law of the land in Vietnam. You can learn more about this topic by watching a film about it. You might not want to live with any commies in your Court Street House.
