American North Borneo?

They really are though, fundamentally.

No, an occupation zone is an area of a sovereign state or states legally or illegally occupied by a foreign military during or in the immediate aftermath of a military conflict.

A colony is a territory that has been brought under the sovereignty and administration of another power in which representation (of differing levels) may or may not be provided.
 
How would the U.S. govern the place? The Philippines was geared up for independence fairly early. However, this colonization is 20 years earlier and its inhabitants would not ruin the American colonial experience by starting a bloody war to get independence.

If the U.S. treats the people decently enough, I think the U.S. could own it today in a situation similar to Puerto Rico or American Samoa.
 
Given the limitations of the US before the Spanish-American War, I imagine American presence would be very limited for the 30 years between the Civil War and the Spanish American War. There'd probably be a port presence for American trading ships, and that's about it. Eventually, there'd be plantations set up. The distance from Borneo to the US West Coast is simply too great for much more.

After the Philippines were took (assuming they still were), there will probably be more control asserted over North Borneo, and development of North Borneo will be similar to that of the Philippines under the US.

It's possible the US will administer both as a single colony, but considering their different cultures and history, I think they'd probably keep them separate. There is a possibility that part of the southern portion of the Philippines which is mainly Muslim would be separated from the rest of the Philippines and administered with North Borneo. That might help settle some of the rebellion issues. It would make sense at least, although much probably depends on whoever is put in charge in there.

Likely, the equivalent of a Tydings-McDuffie Act (1935) is passed that promises the independence of not only the Philippines, but also of North Borneo (regardless of whether it is part of the Philippines or part of a separate Muslim majority state).

Assuming World War II still happens, resistance to the Japanese is probably about the same as it was in the Philippines. Since they were already promised independence, and the US presence probably had some beneficial impacts, the Moros don't see any benefit to the presence of Japanese troops. After the war, it becomes its own state.

Left to their own devices, who knows how'd they turn out. They might be anywhere between how the Philippines turned out to more like Malaysia or anything inbetween.

The only major difference I see is that the US will have strong historical ties to a predominantly Muslim state which will likely incorporate a lot of American democratic tradition into its own culture. It could turn out to be an example of how a Muslim country could have democratic traditions years before Indonesia became democratic. That might improve how the US is seen by Muslims in SE Asia, although it's likely to not be as influential in the Middle East. Still, if we assume that a Moro state encompassing North Borneo and Mindanao has a strong democratic tradition, it'd make for interesting member of the Organization of Islamic Conference.
 

WeisSaul

Banned
North Borneo was relatively low in population. The US could probably make it majority white population by the dawn of the 20th century, with considerable Chinese and native minorities.
 
North Borneo was relatively low in population. The US could probably make it majority white population by the dawn of the 20th century, with considerable Chinese and native minorities.

I think it would become a very large Naval base in the region, with American merchants with interests in the Pacific market can be based there. I think a lot of Navy officers may end up making the area their home. Another idea would be the transfer of land grants to Civil War veterans, to settle in North Borneo, establishing an interesting society to say the least.
 
North Borneo was relatively low in population. The US could probably make it majority white population by the dawn of the 20th century, with considerable Chinese and native minorities.

Who would want to go all the way to Borneo when there was more than enough land in the continental USA to settle?
 

WeisSaul

Banned
If you want to increase the non-native population there are a variety of methods of doing so.

Penal colony? The wild west was by no means free of crime.

Also the US could make deals with other countries to accept their undesirables. Australia, Sarawak, and South Africa come to mind.

Maybe some policies to convince the Spanish settlers in the Philippines to relocate a little bit further south?

And besides, even if non native populations were to reach 70%, made up collectively of Black, White, and Asian people, so long as the native population does not reach a majority. Hawaii is a good example. Asians make up 38.6%, Whites make up 24.7%, 10% Native Hawaiian, and 1.6% Black.
 
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BlondieBC

Banned
If you want to increase the non-native population there are a variety of methods of doing so.

Penal colony? The wild west was by no means free of crime.

Also the US could make deals with other countries to accept their undesirables. Australia, Sarawak, and South Africa come to mind.

Maybe some policies to convince the Spanish settlers in the Philippines to relocate a little bit further south?

And besides, even if non native populations were to reach 70%, made up collectively of Black, White, and Asian people, so long as the native population does not reach a majority. Hawaii is a good example. Asians make up 38.6%, Whites make up 24.7%, 10% Native Hawaiian, and 1.6% Black.

If the USA keeps Borneo, I see it being where freed slaves are sent. And some interracial marriages, education in English, and by the 1920's, the people of Borneo could easily think of themselves as Americans. Maybe make it a state about the same time as Hawaii. The USA would also have lax policies for immigration from white European countries, so maybe a sizable Italian or Slavic population. With the right butterflies, it is just another Puerto Rico that happens to be a state.
 

WeisSaul

Banned
If the USA keeps Borneo, I see it being where freed slaves are sent. And some interracial marriages, education in English, and by the 1920's, the people of Borneo could easily think of themselves as Americans. Maybe make it a state about the same time as Hawaii. The USA would also have lax policies for immigration from white European countries, so maybe a sizable Italian or Slavic population. With the right butterflies, it is just another Puerto Rico that happens to be a state.

So judging from the various posts in this thread so far, North Borneo becomes Americanized by:

A) American merchants relocating to far eastern ports to partake in far eastern wealth and trade
B) American Penal Colony and taking other countries undesirables
C) Free slaves being resettled
D) Americans inviting Spaniard from the Philippines
E) Asians migrating from China (Primarily) and Japan.

Sabah, like Hawaii, would likely be very cosmopolitan. It'd probably be a progressive state.
 
So judging from the various posts in this thread so far, North Borneo becomes Americanized by:

A) American merchants relocating to far eastern ports to partake in far eastern wealth and trade
B) American Penal Colony and taking other countries undesirables
C) Free slaves being resettled
D) Americans inviting Spaniard from the Philippines
E) Asians migrating from China (Primarily) and Japan.

Sabah, like Hawaii, would likely be very cosmopolitan. It'd probably be a progressive state.

This is a very good list, but Penal colony is doubtful. There is enough room in America for North Borneo to remain largely native with a small class of American merchants, until the 1890's when America gets more into East Asian trade. Chinese immigrants will probably become the largest minority along with American businessmen attempting to practice free from restrictions and taxes. North Borneo would probably remain American territory in the long run and will become not unlike Puerto Rico.
 
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