Q6. All around Siam, other countries were falling under the control of imperialism. At the time, Siam was located between British and French controlled lands, both were competing to take over Siam. The British controlled the country to their left, it was called Burma. To the right of Siam, the French controlled the land of Indochina. Great Britain and France seemed as if they never got along with each other. Both lands had the intentions of taking over Siam. This results in both France and Britain trying to prevent one another from being able to take over Siam. Thanks to the knowledge of the Siamese king, he was able to plan accordingly. The Siamese king would make the announcement that Siam was a neutral territory between Great Britain and France. This was a skillful move made by the Siamese king.
The Siamese king, King Mongkut used this time to modernize Siam well Great Britain and France were at battle. King Mongkut had the help form his son Chulalongkorn. King Chulalongkorn states that now is the time to modernize. It is his belief that in doing so, it will strengthen the country Siam. He makes the comment that is absolutely essential that they make these changes to their country. There would be improvements made towards academics and technological …show more content…
By declaring neutrality between Great Britain and France it bought them more time to make themselves stronger. They realized that you can not begin to fight and control other countries when you do not have control of your own first. The country of Siam compared itself to the rest of the world, they came to the conclusion that they needed to modernize. They proceeded by doing everything the possibly could to modernize, it made the stronger. The reforms and political changes changed their country dramatically. The Siamese improved all areas of their life. In the end, they got to continue to be an independent