External events that took place in Asia is an important factor of the rise of SEA nationalism as they were a source of inspiration for a modernist reform.

External event in Asia refers to event that arise out of the colonial and indigenous situation in the region itself. With the opening up of their colonies to international events, people became increasingly aware of nationalist movements taking place worldwide, and thus, were encouraged to do the same. It also exerted a direct influence on contemporary nationalists in Southeast Asia who were seeking to free their countries from colonial domination, as it increased self-confidence of Southeast Asia’s people.

External events such as the Japanese victory in the Russo-Japanese War from 1904-1905 helped to destroy the myth of European invincibility, thus increasing confidence among the nationalist leaders, leading them to believe that they had to ability to overcome their colonial powers. It was the first time an Asian power had defeated a Western power and it boosted the confidence of the nationalist leaders in Southeast Asia. For example, Phan Boi Chau started a movement called “Dong Du” in 1908, which meant ‘eastern travel’ where he went to Japan with the aim of analysing the secrets of Japanese power. He had also as a result managed to smuggle Cuong De out of the Vietnamese court to Japan to provide royal leadership for the Vietnamese resistance against the French.
Another example will be the struggle for freedom in British India, Nationalist such as Tilak, Gokhale and Gandhi were more that mere protagonists of Indian liberty. They were regarded as models for all patriots in the region,while the structural set-up of the All-Indian Congress and its non-cooperative tactics were occasionally copied by Southeast Asia’s nationalist organisations. Passive resistance campaign of Mohandas Gandhi where many Indians