Question

In what ways did European powers gain wealth from their colonies in Southeast Asia?

Answer 1

European countries like Britain, France, The Netherlands and Portugal were the main powers who had colonies in the Southeast Asia. These colonies included India, Ceylon, Burma, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore etc.

The colonial powers took the natural produce of colonies that they controlled and sold it to other markets at exorbitant prices.  

Exotic produce like spices, tea and rubber, precious stones, ivory and animal skins were procured at very cheap prices and most of the time entirely free from estates and plantations controlled by them, and taken to their respective countries. Forests were razed, for their valuable timber used in building ships etc.