What Ifs Regarding Northern Borneo

I believe this might have come up before, but Northern Borneo was one of the late colonial acquisitions. Purhcased by private interests, there were a number of countries, the United States, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, who were offered use, if not outright purchase, of the territory. Eventually it ended up in the hands of the British as part of what would later become Sarawak.

Now, there are three scenarios here:

  • How would Northern Borneo developed if incorporated as an American Territory sometime between 1865-1875?
  • How would Northern Borneo developed if incorporated as an Austro-Hungarian Territory sometime between 1875-1880?
  • How would Northern Borneo developed if incorporated as an Italian Territory sometime around if not slightly before 1880?

 

Vitruvius

Donor
I doubt Austria Hungary would have been able to do much with it or even keep it for very long. The problem is the way the dual monarchy operated. They would have to either run the place out of the joint Foreign Ministry or else set up a new joint Colonial office. Either way there will be endless fights between the two halves over who should fund it at what rate. Probably they shortly end up selling it to either the Germans, maybe the same time that Germany buys the last of Spain's Pacific islands, or to the US. If they do manage to keep it for longer they would develop it no more than OTL and then quickly loose it to the British at the outbreak of WWI. Then it basically follows OTL and becomes part of Malaysia.

I'm not sure about the likelihood of the US acquiring a distant foreign colony at such an early date, given that the US had essentially turned down the annexation of the Dominican Rep around the same time and the annexation of Hawaii was a few decades away. I suppose if the US did take control it would later be amalgamated with the Philippines which probably has some knock-on effects for the history of the Philippines. But in the short term I doubt the US would do too much with it since its still peripheral to the US position in the Philippines.

Italy offers perhaps the best chance for someone to do something with the place more dramatic than OTL. Given the kind of investment that the Italians put into Eritrea and Somalia I could see them pouring in some resources to develop it as their East Asian colonial jewel. Perhaps a presence there helps them to secure Sanmen in China (the acquisition of a foothold in Zhejiang was completely bungled OTL) or perhaps if they still fail to get an enclave in China they redouble their efforts in this, their only Asian territory. If WWII isn't butterflied away then at some point its probably occupied by or sold to Japan and after the war becomes independent.
 
Wouldn't the White Rajahs be annoyed if some European countries tried to take Northern Borneo?
They complained a little but in the end did nothing; they concentrated more on keeping to themselves and protecting those individuals in their lands from European Exploitation, as it were. Which is some ways is a bit ironic considering the Rajahs themselves were European.

But no, the Kingdom of Sarawak would not have done anything other than lodge a protest.
 
I doubt Austria Hungary would have been able to do much with it or even keep it for very long. The problem is the way the dual monarchy operated. They would have to either run the place out of the joint Foreign Ministry or else set up a new joint Colonial office. Either way there will be endless fights between the two halves over who should fund it at what rate.

Maybe, or Hungary might decide it's worthless but Austria does'nt, so the Austrian Crown or government buys it and treats it as part Cisleithanian land rather than an Imperial Territory.


I'm not sure about the likelihood of the US acquiring a distant foreign colony at such an early date, given that the US had essentially turned down the annexation of the Dominican Rep around the same time

The U.S. did'nt turn it down, the vote failed in the Senate by a single vote, which was more because it had become known that the idea was opposed by the Dominican people and the Dictator at the time was basically trying to save his own ass and stay rich.


Wouldn't the White Rajahs be annoyed if some European countries tried to take Northern Borneo?


No more than the Vietnamese would be over say Britain taking Hainan; North Borneo was not part of the Kingdom of Sarawk, rather it was originaly part of Brunei, which sold it to the guy that tried to sell it to all those other countries.
 


  • How would Northern Borneo developed if incorporated as an American Territory sometime between 1865-1875?

It would likely end up like the Philippines. There would be preparations for eventual independence while a naval base for Asiatic trade is set up. Dewey operates out of North Borneo instead of Hong Kong during the S-A War.

North Borneo will get its independence when the Philippines does, and it will likely include the Muslim portions of the Philippines. This will mean less headaches for the Filipino government so they agree to this exchange.

  • How would Northern Borneo developed if incorporated as an Austro-Hungarian Territory sometime between 1875-1880?

Austria-Hungary generally leaves the natives alone as it cannot really project force there. Other countries respect Austrian control due to lack of interest. Austria gets a little more cash on the side but not enough to change its domestic situation.

In WWI, the ANZACs take it for Britain just by walking in. Then things continue in the region just like OTL.
  • How would Northern Borneo developed if incorporated as an Italian Territory sometime around if not slightly before 1880?


Italy gets a stronger presence in the Pacific, and will likely get more concessions out of China. Italy will get to keep North Borneo until WWII. If Italy and Japan stay allies, Italy could sell the territory to Japan, or at the very least, allow them to use the territory for their war against Britain and the USA.

Japan will get an easier time in the region but will still lose.

Post-war, North Borneo becomes a UN Trust Territory and is given independence shortly after.
 
North Borneo will get its independence when the Philippines does, and it will likely include the Muslim portions of the Philippines. This will mean less headaches for the Filipino government so they agree to this exchange.

That makes no sense.

North Borneo was at the time not Muslim majority, in fact Muslims only made-up 38% of the population in 1960, it's only majority Muslim (65.4%) now because of an aggressive Islamization campaign by Malaysia in the 70's.
 
That makes no sense.

North Borneo was at the time not Muslim majority, in fact Muslims only made-up 38% of the population in 1960, it's only majority Muslim (65.4%) now because of an aggressive Islamization campaign by Malaysia in the 70's.

Heh, didn't know that. Disregard what I said then. I thought it was already Muslim.
 
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