British Malaya Flashcards
The process of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and typically exploiting it economically.
Colonialism
A term used to describe “independent” and “sovereign” states who are in actuality dominated by another country in the form of either economic, political or military ideology.
Semi-colonialism
A process where people try to bring about progress or to try to make the future better than the present usually by implementing ideas, technology, systems or scientific principle.
Modernisation
A central government ruling over partially independent states or provinces
Federal government
A hybridised form of modernity where a country does not modernise in the typical “Western” way but infuses it with one’s own traditions and culture, providing agency to local cultures and influences
Alternative Modernities
Where traditions, culture, or languages are adapted and infused with the local traditions or culture. E.g. Language, Food, Architecture etc
Cultural Hybridity
The geographical assumption that the immediate neighbour state of a given state is most likely to be under control/influence of another state. Thus, this form circles of friends and foes with the central point being the King and his State.
Mandala Theory
Refers to the extent of influence a foreign power can exercise without formal control or interference from another major power.
Sphere of influence
Offered protection and support to the Chinese immigrants who were alone in a foreign land and needed protection and/or jobs. Ghee Hins and Hai Sans as examples in British Malaya.
Secret Societies
To describe a political entity who remains independent and has autonomy but still enjoyed protection from a greater sovereign power (e.g. Malay states that were protected by the British)
Protectorate
A territory under the immediate complete political control and occupied by settlers of a state, distinct from the home territory of the sovereign.
Colonies
Coastal regions established as centres of trade (in context of British Malaya)
Trading bases
Refers to a condition in societies where different ethnic groups hold onto their distinct cultural values and language, leading to diversity of culture
Pluralism
White Man’s Burden
Sense of responsibility to bring civilisation to native populations. Social mission to improve the lives of other societies, usually native/local indigenous people. Term coined and popularised by Rudyard Kipling’s poem – The White Man’s Burden.
Raw materials of high demand in British Malaya
Rubber, tin
Foothold
A secure position from which further progress may be made. In the case of Southeast Asia, many Western nations wanted to gain access to markets before other powers secured their interest in these unclaimed areas.
Race for colonies
Many Western nations desired colonies not just for economic gains but for the political clout of owning one – making them a superpower of sorts. Germany as an example, established the German New Guinea in Southeast Asia.
A state of disorder due to absence or non-recognition of authority or other controlling systems.
Anarchy (Perak, 1874, led to revolts against British rule over the Malay States happened because British infringed Malay customs and traditions; resulted in the murder of James W.W. Birch, then resident of Perak)
Western-educated elites
Group of local leaders/elites who benefited from Western education either through western schools in Southeast Asia or through an education abroad – learnt values of democracy, individualism and what freedom means. e.g. in British Malaya include the Penang Free School
Urbanisation
Urbanization refers to the population shift from rural to urban areas, the decrease in the proportion of people living in rural areas, and the ways in which societies adapt to this change. The British created cities and towns which were concentrated in the richer states of Perak and Selangor. Example of these cities was Kuala Lumpur, the capital of the FMS (Federated Malay States)
Use of cash replaced the old system of barter trade
Cash economy; British Malaya even standardised it to a Straits Settlement currency
Subsistence-based agriculture
Farmers used to produce food for their own consumption
Export-oriented economy
Under colonial rule, farmers produced food for export, producing surplus for fulfilling the demand for raw materials and cash crops
In 1903, this currency was introduced in the Straits Settlements, the FMS and the UFMS as the British felt the need for a standard unit of currency for trade which they could control. This has a positive effect on trade as even more capital flowed into Malaya for investment into tin mines and rubber plantations
Straits Dollar
A treaty between British officials and the Sultan of Perak (Abdullah) in 1874. British Residents were appointed as advisors to the local rulers.
Pangkor Treaty / Engagement
Extraterritoriality
Extraterritoriality is the state of being exempted from the jurisdiction of local law, usually as the result of diplomatic negotiations. For e.g. British being exempted from the native law and be trialed by the British government instead of the local government if a crime has been committed.
A British officer of the role of giving advice to the Sultan in managing the country. This power subsequently enlarged to provide direct political power and influence over the running of the state.
Resident
Perak War (1875)
The Perak War took place between British and local forces in Perak, a state in northwestern Malaysia. The Sultan of Upper Perak and other local chiefs attempted to end foreign influence in the region and remove the British administrator James W.W. Birch. They were met with a fierce response (i.e. troops deployed from Hong Kong) from the British upon assassination of Birch.
Larut Wars
The Larut Wars were a series of four wars started in July 1861 and ended with the signing of the Pangkor Treaty of 1874. The conflict was fought among local Chinese secret societies (Ghee Hin, Hai San) over the control of mining areas in Perak which later involved rivalry between Raja Abdullah and Ngah Ibrahim, making it a war of succession.
Sir William Jervois
British governor of Straits Settlements (1875-1877)
Sir Andrew Clarke
British governor of Straits Settlements (1873-1875) - Signed the Pangkor Treaty
This Resident spoke fluent Malay; had good knowledge of Malay culture; preserved status of sultan, allowed chiefs to participate in passing of law
Hugh Low
Resident who was the former colonial secretary in Ceylon and Straits settlements; could not speak Malay, did not work in this region before; ignorant to Malay culture; disliked by Malay community and rulers
James W. W. Birch
Treaty which divided Malay Peninsula and Indonesia into British and Dutch spheres of influence: Indonesia for Dutch and Malaya for British Straits of Melaka and Singapore were markers of division
Anglo-Dutch Treaty (1824)
Refers to foreign policy where political rulers should minimise entanglement with other nations.
Non-intervention
Four main Malay states of interest to British for raw materials (developing extractive industries)
Perak, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor
Federated Malay States (FMS)
The four Malay states were brought together and governed by a federal government. This was in part in response to the lack of uniformity in law/legal systems that hindered trade for British traders across the four states.
Title given to Resident that leads the Federal government and oversees affairs across Malay states; serve as supervisor to other Residents
Resident-General (in KL)
Bangkok Treaty 1909
The northern Malay states were vassals of Thailand and the British initially did not intervene in their affairs. However, they feared foreign intervention in these states, hence made a deal with the Thais. The British provided 4 million pounds loan in return for Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terangganu.
Unfederated Malay States (UFMS)
Malay states that did not come under the Federal government but were influenced greatly by the British; they did not have residents but advisors.
Malay Land Reservations System
Policy which allowed land reservation for Malays; cannot be sold to non-Malays. This was in a bid to protect indigenous Malay interests. Had lasting repercussions in terms of policies built on racial differences.
Penang Free School
Western education provided for mostly Straits Chinese children or children of wealthy Malay aristocrats.
