Nationalism
Violence and oppression, the ideology of liberation
and the taste of opportunity, the experience of
arbitrary rule in some parts of the region and the
collapse of government in others, all these features of
1941-5 sharpened political perceptions and
stimulated nationalist activities inSoutheast Asia.
Moreover, the critics of colonialism who at first were
eager to espouse the Japanese cause grew to doubt
Japan's willingness and ability to transfer power to
Southeast Asians.