HIST chap 4 Flashcards
What are some factors that lead to migration?
Internal factors (events that take place within a country) together with external factors (events occurring in other parts of the World)
What is migration?
Migration refers to the physical movement of large groups of people, known as migrants, over long distances.
When do people usually migrate?
People usually migrate when they face negative conditions in their homelands that lead to a desire to leave for a better life (internal PUSH factors/negative) e.g. - Poverty and starvation - unrest and instability - War - Natural disasters - unemployment
People may also migrate when they face positive conditions in another country, that lead to a desire to leave (external PULL factors/positive) e,g.
- Free port status - Free immigration - Excellent geographical location - Better job prospects - Ease of travel - Peace - disaster-free environment.
Give an example of people who came to Singapore in 1820, and provide the push/pull factors.
Arrivals from Riau.
Their home country was the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). They decided to leave their home country as the Dutch began to impose taxes on the use of ports. They chose to come to Singapore and Singapore was a free port. They changed from a -ive to a +ive outcome and earned more money. Therefore, this was a push factor.
Give an example of people who came to Singapore in 1819-1823, and provide the push/pull factors.
Arrivals from Melaka.
Their home country was Melaka, Malaya. They chose to leave their country as they were attracted by Singapore and heard that Raja Melaka was running a British settlement in Singapore. They chose to come to Singapore as William Farquhar invited them. This would result in an increase in trade opportunities, leading to an increase in profits, meaning that it was a pull factor.
Give an example of people who came to Singapore in 1820, and provide the push/pull factors.
The Aliens Ordinance.
Their home country was China. They decided to leave China so as to escape from family traditions of matchmaking and to avoid living in poverty, hardship and with a lack of jobs. They decided to come to Singapore so as to earn money to provide for their families back home. This would increase the rate of employment, increasing SOL. Therefore, this is a push factor.
Give an example of people who came to Singapore in 1820, and provide the push/pull factors.
Chinese women. Their home country was China, Guangdong. They chose to leave their country to seek better job opportunities. They chose to come to Singapore as Singapore had free immigration. This would also allow the women to escape from the family traditions, and therefore, this is a push factor.
Name the migrants who came to Singapore to seek better job opportunities and how they sought jobs.
1: European Agency Houses.
Europeans set up agency houses in Singapore. A.H. helped Asian traders to sell European goods in exchange for goods in Southeast Asia. These European agency houses would receive a commission for selling the goods. Examples of these agency houses include A.L. Johnston & Company and Boustead & Company.
2: Chinese Peranakans.
They served as middlemen for facilitating communication for the Europeans and Asian traders due to their ability to speak different languages and dialects. Several C.P.s also established their own trade businesses. e.g. Tan Kim Seng (A melakan Chinese businessmen)
3: Traders from Malaya.
Melakan trader, Hajjah Ftimah Sulaiman came to Singapore to expand her business. Penang trader, Naraina Pillai also established a business in the production of bricks and cotton cloth.
4: Traders from the Dutch East Indies.
Bugis traders were attracted to Singapore by its free port status. More Bugis traders came to Singapore as the Dutch imposed import taxes in the East Indies. Examples of the Bugis traders that arrived include Haji Omar Ali and his son, Haji Ambo Sooloh who brought many properties in Singapore.
5: Arab traders.
Arab traders were attracted to Singapore as a commercial entrepot. Many of these traders arrived in Singapore due to the increased use of steamships and the opening of the Suez Canal. Examples of businessmen are Syed Omar Bin Aljunied, his uncle, Syed Mohamed bin Haroon and the Alkaff brothers.
6: Moneylenders.
Indian moneylenders known as Chettiars were attracted to Singapore due to the commercial activities in Singapore. They brought with them their skills in trade, accounting, banking and credit. Traders would often seek them out to borrow money.
7: Male Coolies.
Large numbers of Chinese and Indian coolies arrived in Singapore that provided much-needed labour. Most coolies arrived to seek jobs and found employment in coaling, the loading and unloading of goods along the river, construction work and being rikshaw pullers.
8: Samsui Women.
Samsui women arrived in Singapore due to poor conditions back in their hometown of Sanshui in China. These women aimed to seek employment in Singapore. Most of these women did physically demanding hard labour in bright red headdresses.
9: Convict labourers.
Indian convicts brought over by the British were the main source of labour for public works in Singapore. There was plenty of work for the convicts due to the scarcity of labour in the new colony. They were tasked to clear jungles, sweep the streets, lay the earliest roads, tend the town’s gardens and parks and construct buildings. Some notable examples of the roads and buildings constructed by Indian convicts include High Street (the first street in SG) and St Andrew’s Church.
What were the disadvantages faced by the migrants that led to the reason they came to SG/Why were the immigrants attracted to SG? Answer in the DEXA format.
R1: Taxes imposed by other ports (hometown).
The Dutch took control of the ports in the East Indies and its trade routes and imposed taxes on these routes. However, in Singapore, its free port status meant that traders did not have to pay taxes on trade. Moreover, migrants could go as they pleased without having to pay or apply for permission. Singapore was also a good place to conduct trade and business. Some examples of migrants that came to Singapore for these reasons would be the Chinese Peranakans, Traders from Malaya, Dutch East Indies, and Arab and European agency houses. Without having to pay taxes to enter Singapore, immigrants were attracted to Singapore rather than the Dutch ports. Singapore’s status as a free port attracted many traders and merchants. These businesses were able to obtain lower costs of doing business in Singapore as they did not need to pay taxes, and as a result, they earned an increased amount of profits.
R2: Lack of a place for a stopover (hometown).
Singapore is strategically located at the opening of the Straits of Melaka and it is also situated in the middle of the trade route between China and India. Therefore Singapore served as a convenient stop-over for ships, resupplying food, water and repairs. Examples of migrants who came to Singapore for these reasons would be the Arab traders. Trade and business opportunities among traders from different parts of the world who arrived in Singapore also increased as traders who arrived in Singapore would have a place to stop-over to replenish supplies. This led to an increase in the profits of traders.
R3: Lack of job opportunities (hometown).
Due to the lack of development and issues like unrest and instability in their homelands, migrants needed to migrate elsewhere to look for job opportunities that could pay them higher wages. Moreover, there was a lack of job prospects back in their homeland(s). Migrants were able to find jobs due to jobs requiring different skills and specialities found in Singapore. This led to an increase in employment rates for immigrants from the increase in economic opportunities coming to Singapore. This influenced them to come to Singapore to earn a living. Examples of migrants who came to Singapore for these reasons would be the male coolies, samsui women, and convict labourers.
How did Migrants contribute to Singapore’s development? Write in DEXA format.
A1: The migrants were more involved in the governing of Singapore.
In the Singapore government’s organisational chart after 1867, the non-official members were outnumbered by the official members. By 1924, the number of non-official members had increased to 8. Furthermore, locals like Dr Lim Boon Keng and Eunos Abdullah proposed laws and formed associations like the Straits Chinese British Association and the Kesatuan Melayu Singapura. The migrants being more involved in the governing of Singapore led to more local people being increasingly involved in the affairs of the country. Moreover, as the number of non-official members increased, it brought the British attention towards issues faced by the locals so that they would change the way Singapore was governed. Furthermore, the involvement of locals was essential as they worked to improve the lives of their respective communities through the efforts of the associations.
A2: The migrants contributed to the education of the locals.
Christian mission schools took in orphaned and homeless girls and were one of the earliest schools for such girls. Chinese education for girls was also provided by the Singapore Hokkien Association. Additionally, wealthy traders like Tan Kim Seng and Gan Eng Send also built schools to provide education in their own language. The students were taught reading, writing, literature and abacus.
The migrants’ contribution to the education of the locals led to an increase in educational opportunities for females, which resulted in an increase in gender equality and job opportunities for women. Moreover, as the traders built schools, there was an increase in the literacy rates among the population, which led to an increase in the ———- population. This resulted in an increase in job opportunities, therefore increasing QOL and SOL.
A3: The migrants contributed to the health of the locals.
Local groups in Singapore developed self-help organisations to provide free treatment and free medicine to poor people of all races. Moreover, wealthy businessmen donated large sums of money to provide medical services and amenities.
The migrants’ contribution to the health of the locals led to an increase in the ———- and ———- of medical services due to its low cost. This also increased awareness about hygiene, therefore increasing QOL and SOL.
