Chapter 2, immigrants in colonial Singapore Flashcards
Explain how the immigrants disrupted order in colonial Singapore.
Through vices
– To escape the drudgery of everyday life many immigrants turned to smoking opuim.
–Many immigrants also resulted to gambling as a distraction from the daily manual labour and physical pain.
Through secret societies
– The secret societies formed along dialect lines, frequently clashed with each other, causing injuries to bystanders and trouble to the police force.
– Secret societies were also involved in vices like opium, gambling and prostitution.
Explain how did the British deal with problems created by the immigrants
Through reforms in the police force.
– Crime became rampant in the 19th century with an increase in secret society riots, resulting in the police force needing assistance.
– Reforms under Thomas Dunman improved training, pay and provision of equipment.
– A detective branch was also set up in 1862 to deal with secret societies.
Through the creation of the Chinese protectorate
– The Chinese protectorate was created after the abuse of coolies and secret society activities became a serious concern. Established in 1877, William Pickering was made the first Chinese Protector.
–Coolie trade was regulated, all secret societies had to register and Chinese community leaders were encouraged to resolve differences at the Protectorate.
Explain how the British government tried to improve the lives of the immigrants
Through education
– education was provided by Chinese clans or European missionaries
– The government opened schools and gave grants to existing ones.
– The establishment of the Queen scholarship allowed top students to further their studies in Britain to return back as lawyers, doctors or teachers.
Through health care and improvement of living conditions
– Death rates were high in the 19th century with the population also expanding rapidly.
– The Public Health Department was established in 1887
– A general hospital, mental hospital and leper camp was also established.
Explain why the immigrants came to colonial Singapore
Push factors
– Natural and man made events occurring in their home country, which include famines floods and droughts
– Overcrowding in China in 19th century led to insufficient land to grow crops.
Pull factors
–Colonial Singapore as a successful port attracted many businessmen and people to set up their business and to find job opportunities.
–New businesses also flourished like hotels, plantations and construction of new buildings attracted immigrants to come to colonial Singapore.
Explain how immigrants contributed to the economic development
Through businesses and plantations
– Chinese merchants opened pepper and gambier plantations in the interior of the island
– shops and warehouses were opened along Boat Quay and brick kilns and other businesses were started, contributing to colonial Singapore economic development
Through unskilled labour
–Many young men left their countries to seek employment in Singapore, working as coolies working at the docks.
– Women also came to join the labour force, working as Sam Sui women at constructions and plantations.
Explain how immigrants created a sense of belonging to Singapore
Through philanthropy
– Many Asian immigrants suffered and died from diseases as the government did not provide much support for Asian immigrants
– Rich merchants thus contributed by building schools and hospitals
– Together with Tan Tock Seng, who other than building schools and hospitals, also paid for the funerals of those that were poor.
Through provision of common
services, trade and living in common areas
– With a growing population there was a need for supporting services and provision of daily needs.
– Merchants opened shops to support such needs, these included, barbers, provision shops and street hawkers
– Merchants also organized clan associations to help their fellows. Addressing basic needs and fostering a sense of communnity
