Unit 3: Establishing Singapore as a British Colony, Early 19th to mid-20th Century (1819-1823) Flashcards
Part 1: Reasons for the Founding of Singapore as a Trading Port (3 pts, 4 subpts)
• Economic Reasons
- Importance of China-India Trade
- Importance of Malay Archipelago Trade
• Political Reason
- Anglo-Dutch Rivalry
• Strategic Reason
- Need for a Third Port (Singapore’s Location compared against Bencoolen and Penang)
Part 2: People and Events that formed Colonial Singapore (3 pts, 8 subpts)
• Contributions of Sir Stamford Raffles
- Events leading to the Provisional Treaty of 1819 (Political)
→ The Expedition to Singapore
→ Meeting with the Temenggong Abdul Rahman
→ Raffles outwitted the Dutch
→ Treaty of 6 February 1819
- Raffles’ Economic Policy
→ Singapore as a Free Port and Singapore’s Free Trade Policy: Survival & Competition - Raffles’ Administrative Policies (Social)
→ Raffles’ Town Plan
→ Administration of Justice
• Contributions of Major-General William Farquhar
• Feud between Raffles and Farquhar
Reasons for the Founding of Singapore as a Trading Port
1. Economic Reasons
i) Importance of the China-India Trade (around 5 pts)
• The China trade was for private traders who were interested in obtaining goods not available in Britain or Europe and who were motivated by the high demand for luxury goods from China, especially tea due to the government’s huge reduction in the import tax for tea (to prevent smuggling of tea).
• Tea became a lucrative trade as Taxes were reduced tremendously → Tea gain mass appeal as it was more affordable (demand spiked) → consumer market increased greatly → more traders attracted to tea trade to earn high profits from it
• EIC held monopoly on tea trade = only traders who joined EIC could engage in tea trade with China
• Dramatic increase in tea trade = huge potential profits that would all be funnelled back to EIC; British Govt would also benefit from taxes collected on tea imports that EIC shipped back to England
• Trade imbalance emerged as the British could not find an exchange commodity as there was little China wanted from Britain (demand was insufficient for British goods) = had to make up for the outstanding amounts to pay for tea using silver currency which led to a tremendous outflow (huge drain of silver from Britain).
• British EIC solved problem of trade imbalance by using Opium as a solution = ensured a guaranteed and constant demand as opium has addictive properties (opium smoking became an addiction)
• Trading network from China (sale of opium) to London (the transport of tea back) could not be completed in one single sailing session = British needed a convenient stopover
• Opium was grown in India, thus, they needed a stopover port for transport to China.
• Singapore’s position mid-way b/w India and China was ideal as a port of call in the Malay Archipelago that could protect the China trade and as a facility for British Ships between India and China to harbour, refit and refill and wait for the monsoons for sailing purposes.
port of call = a place where a ship stops on a voyage (long journey)
Reasons for the Founding of Singapore as a Trading Port
1. Economic Reasons
ii) Importance of the Malay Archipelago Trade (ard 5 pts)
• The Malay Archipelago was important as a regional trading network that played a crucial role in supporting the British India-China trade by increasing British goods for the Chinese market.
• basically British exchange with straits, use straits goods to exchange with China
• Malay Archipelago served as a a market for selling British manufactured goods in exchange for Straits produce, which could then be exchanged for goods from China.
• It worked because British goods were more sought after by the local traders of the archipelago.
• The Malay Archipelago traders were the ones who bought British goods and opium in exchange for a wide variety of Straits produce which the British then sold to China and Europe.
• Monopoly allowed the EIC to regulate the supply of British imports to safeguard against an oversupply of British imports (in particular opium) to ensure the price of these goods would remain high.
• When EIC monopoly ended, other traders came with an oversupply of British goods (particularly opium), resulting in a huge loss of profits.
• In order to restore the previous economic balance, the British needed a port to capture new regional markets for British-made goods.
Reasons for the Founding of Singapore as a Trading Port
2. Political Reason
Anglo-Dutch Rivalry
(ard 5 pts)
Anglo-Dutch Rivalry
After Napoleonic Wars, the Dutch strengthened their power by enforcing strict trading rules and exerted an even tighter control over the region (ports of Malacca and Batavia, Straits of Malacca and the Sunda Straits) which led to British traders finding themselves in danger of being left out in the trade of the East.
• Dutch originally controlled the trade in the Malay Archipelago.
• However, because of the Napoleonic Wars, the Dutch king transferred the Dutch’s possessions to the temporary care of the British which allowed them to occupy the Dutch territories (incl. Malay Archipelago and sabotage the Dutch) until the war was over.
• When the war ended, the British returned all the Dutch possessions.
• When Dutch returned, they began to strengthen their power by enforcing strict trading rules and exerted an even tighter control over the region (ports of Malacca and Batavia, Straits of Malacca and the Sunda Straits) which led to the British traders finding themselves in danger of being left out in the trade of the East (threatened to cut the British off from the region) due to the following reasons:
- British ships were not allowed to trade with any of the Dutch ports except Batavia.
- At Batavia, British traders were charged high fees for using the port and had to pay heavy taxes on goods which they bought or sold.
- All Asian trading boats had to fly a Dutch flag and carry a permit or “pass”.
- They were not allowed to trade with any other ports except Dutch ports. Dutch warships were sent out to make sure that their orders were carried out.
Reasons for the Founding of Singapore as a Trading Port
3. Strategic Reason
Need for a Third Port
i) Ineffectiveness of Bencoolen and Penang
• The British ports (Bencoolen and Penang) were ineffective and unsuitable because they were too far away from the centre of trade in the Archipelago.
• Bencoolen was too far west and was not located along the main trade route.
• Penang was too far north to control the Straits of Malacca. It did not have timber (for ship-building and repairing) and could be cut off by the Dutch at Malacca.
• New alternative port was needed to compete more effectively with Dutch rivals who controlled the main gateways to the East since they had the two most important ports of the Malay Archipelago (Malacca– Straits of Malacca; Batavia– Sunda Straits),
Penang
• Penang was too far north of the Straits of Melaka.
• It was not useful for controlling the Straits of Melaka and protecting British ships using the straits.
• Penang was too far off from the main trading areas of the East Indies to monitor Dutch activities.
• It could not attract trade and most traders were unwilling to make the long trip there.
Batavia
• Bencoolen proved to be ineffective as a trading centre as it was situated on the wrong side of Sumatra, facing the Indian Ocean.
• Hence, it could not effectively protect British shipping along the Straits of Melaka and Sunda Straits
• It could not be used as a centre to attract the trade of the Malay Archipelago.
Reasons for the Founding of Singapore as a Trading Port
3. Strategic Reason
Need for a Third Port
ii) The need to Check Dutch Power
• British needed to check the Dutch’s power in the region (trade monopoly) as the Dutch were extending their trade monopoly to more and more areas in order to keep out the British traders.
People and Events that formed Colonial Singapore
Contributions of Sir Stamford Raffles
1. Events leading to the Provisional Treaty of 1819 (Political) (3 main events)
- Events leading to the Provisional Treaty of 1819 (Political)
The Expedition to Singapore
Meeting with the Temenggong
How Raffles Outwitted the Dutch
People and Events that formed Colonial Singapore
Contributions of Sir Stamford Raffles
1. Events leading to the Provisional Treaty of 1819
The Expedition to Singapore (3 pts, 2 subpts)
The Expedition to Singapore
• Raffles realised the Dutch was quickly gaining control of the Malay Archipelago and was determined to counter the Dutch influence by setting up a British trading port in Southeast Asia.
• He was supported by Lord Hastings to find a way to break the Dutch Monopoly and to protect the British trade with China by allowing him to establish a British port.
- However, he was told by Hastings not to interfere with the Dutch and not to claim any territory that could possibly be claimed by the Dutch as the British Government wanted to keep the Dutch as their close allies.
• The EIC assured the Dutch that Raffles had no authority to undertake such political decisions.
- However, by the time the letter reached India, Raffles and Farquhar already began searching for a suitable place to establish a British trading port.
People and Events that formed Colonial Singapore
Contributions of Sir Stamford Raffles
1. Events leading to the Provisional Treaty of 1819
Meeting with the Temenggong (5 pts, 6subpts)
Meeting with the Temenggong
• Raffles and Farquhar landed in Singapore (St. Johns Island – Southern coast of SG) on 29 January 1819.
• Raffles found Singapore suitable as:
- good harbour and wide river
- plentiful supply of good drinking water
- located in a suitable position on the trade route to China and was near the East Indies
- he was told that the Dutch did not occupy the island
- he felt that the British could easily check the spread of Dutch power in the Malay Archipelago from this location
• Raffles signed the preliminary agreement (not final) for a British fort to be set up in SG on 30 January 1819 with Temenggong Abdul Rahman of the Johore Sultanate.
- However, he knew that this treaty was not enough since there could be no legal basis for this new settlement at Singapore unless he could get permission from the Sultan of Johore because Singapore was part of the Johore Sultanate and the Sultan of Johore at this time was Sultan Abdul Rahman (not the same man as Temenggong Abdul Rahman) who was as under Dutch and Bugis influence and thus Raffles knew that the Sultan would never sign a treaty with the British.
• The Temenggong was willing to allow Raffles to set up a British settlement here (different from fort!) but he did not have the power.
• Raffles had to seek the permission from the Sultan of Johor (Malaya). Craftily, he sought Tengku Hussein’s help.
*treaty = agreement
People and Events that formed Colonial Singapore
Contributions of Sir Stamford Raffles
1. Events leading to the Provisional Treaty of 1819
How Raffles Outwitted the Dutch (ard 6 pts)
• Late Sultan Mahmud Shah (ruler of Johor-Riau) had two sons: Tengku Abdul Rahman (younger) and Tengku Hussein (elder and the heir = a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person’s death).
• When Sultan Mahmud Shah died in 1912, Tengku Hussein (elder son and heir) was away in Pahang for his marriage.
• The Bugis Chiefs took advantage of his absence to appoint Tengku Abdul Rahman (younger) as the new Sultan of Johore. However, Sultan Abdul Rahman, who lived at Lingga, had no powers for the real power was in the hands of the Bugis Raja Muda who lived at Rhio (Raja Muda was the one who concluded a treaty with the Dutch which allowed the Dutch settlement at Rhio, and declared that trade was to be open only to Dutch and native ships).
• The Dutch then agreed to recognize Sultan Abdul Rahman as the Sultan of Johore. Tengku Hussein, without a strong ally, decided to live quietly at Bulang near Rhio.
• Raffles learnt about this and decided to take advantage of the situation by inviting Tengku Hussein to Singapore to be recognized as the rightful Sultan of Johore by promising him protection and financial assistance.
• With Temenggong Abdul Rahman’s help, Raffles secretly brought Tengku Hussein back to Singapore. Terms for a trading base could then be discussed.
• On 6 February 1819, Raffles recognised Tengku Hussein as the rightful Sultan of Johore.
• A treaty was then signed between Raffles, Temenggong Abdul Rahman and Sultan Tengku Hussein which allowed the British to build a trading port in the southern part of the Singapore island.
• In return, Temenggong Abdul Rahman and Sultan Hussein would receive an annual payment as compensation.
• The British also agreed to give protection and support to the Sultan and Temenggong if they agreed not to make any treaties with other western powers and to help protect the British settlement against enemy attacks.
• The short flag-raising ceremony marked the ‘founding’ of modern Singapore.
• Singapore was still under the sovereign rule of Sultan Hussein
• After signing the treaty, Raffles made Farquhar the first Resident of Singapore and was given general instructions in the administration of the settlement and the next day, Raffles left for Penang on 7 February 1819.
People and Events that formed Colonial Singapore
Contributions of Sir Stamford Raffles
- Raffles’ Economic Policy
Singapore as a Free Port and Singapore’s Free Trade Policy: Survival & Competition (ard 8pts, 4subpts)
• Foresight, visionary, future, potential, discovery, economic, administrative
• Singapore was the only free port in the Malay Archipelago for the first ten years.
• This meant that when traders stopped over at Singapore, traders did not have to pay import or export duties (tax). Only opium and liquor were taxed.
• This naturally attracted traders to come to Singapore as they were able to use the port facilities without charge.
• Singapore was chosen, by virtue of its strategic geographical location, to compete with other ports under the control of the Dutch.
• This policy was important because:
Survival and Competition
- Singapore had few natural resources and no products to lure traders – only way to survive is to function primarily as a entrepot port
- lack of SG’s own products meant that it was vital for Singapore to encourage trade by exempting tariffs (taxes) on goods to attract traders since it had none of her own goods to offer
→ SG as a free port reflected Raffles’ insight that serving as an entrepot was the most likely means to success - Its geographical location was not enough and it needed to enhance its status as an entrepôt port (import → export and vice versa).
- Foresight, visionary → potential (e.g. anticipating problems)
• The policy had the effect of attracting those traders around the region who were ready to seize new opportunities opened to them.
• Raffles recognised the potential of Singapore as a trading port = shaped economic and administrative policies accordingly
• By the time other free ports were established, merchants and traders had invested so much capital in Singapore that they saw no advantage in moving from Singapore since these ports were never able to challenge Singapore because they did not possess Singapore’s unique geographical advantages.
People and Events that formed Colonial Singapore
Contributions of Sir Stamford Raffles
- Raffles’ Administrative Policies (Social)
i) Raffles’ Town Plan
(3 pts idk man)
i) Raffles’ Town Plan
• A plan to remodel Singapore into a modern city
• It was for the forming of separate clusters to house the different ethnic groups, and the provision of facilities such as roads, schools and land for government buildings.
• The plan was published in 1828. This plan split the different races (segregation of races). The town plan focused on the downtown area, particularly around the Singapore River, and spanned from Telok Ayer to the Kallang River.
• Raffles made provisions for practically all the needs of the settlement from shipyards to markets.
- Shop houses of brick were to be of uniform type, each with a covered five-foot way.
- The streets were laid out at right angles.
- Proper spaces were to be reserved for churches and other places of worship, theatres and police stations.
- The different communities were also given specific residential areas to avoid friction and also to make governing easier (racial segregation)
- Housing in swampy place (dynamited the hill and used land to fill up), reclaimed land
- Unloading along Singapore River – prime area for “CBD” – good transfer/import/export
- laid out Botanic Gardens, established Singapore Free School (RI) – Education
- Recognised the need to maximise land usage (and rationale: ensure orderly construction of town – 5-foot way, standard buildings)
- Orderly and commercial growth
People and Events that formed Colonial Singapore
Contributions of Sir Stamford Raffles
- Raffles’ Administrative Policies (Social)
ii) Administration of Justice (Law and Order in Singapore)
(3 pts)
ii) Administration of Justice (Law and Order in Singapore)
• Raffles instituted the administration of justice to ensure peace and order in the thriving settlement.
• He founded the Resident Court, appointed magistrates, implemented trial by jury and organised a police force to ensure that law and order was maintained.
• In addition, he instituted the abolishment of (tried to prevent) activities such as public gambling and slavery.
People and Events that formed Colonial Singapore
Contributions of William Farquhar (ard 14 pts, 5 impt ones)
• Pragmatic – present, address problems & solves issues, practical
• First British resident of Singapore in 1819 to 1823 (left in 1823)
• the one who accompanied Raffles to find a new British trading port due to his long Malayan experience
• Singapore was placed under the charge of Farquhar after Raffles left
• He mostly led the development of Singapore independently (communications with EIC and Raffles were poor)
• Stayed in SG to oversee the newly established trading settlement in 1819.
• carried out the practical, turning Raffles’ Day to day tasks into reality.
• played a significant role in the daily administration of the settlement in its critical early years.
• managed to attract traders, settlers and supplies to Singapore
• administered the settlement on a shoestring budget
• Raised revenue for the settlement by allowing gambling dams and auctioning monopoly rights to sell opium and spirits
• He set up defence positions at the Singapore River and Government Hill due to the fear of a Dutch attack to enforce their claims over Singapore.
• Free port policy; Farquhar placed a British official on St. Johns Island to inform passing ships about the new settlement and its free port = many traders came and Singapore soon grew into a bustling marketplace.
• Farquhar attracted many people, including traders and labourers, from Melaka to Singapore.
- Traders from Melaka helped solve Singapore’s food shortage issues, which were brought about by the increasing population.
• Farquhar went against Raffles’ orders and sold licenses for gambling and the sale of opium and liquor in order to raise funds to ensure the smooth running of Singapore. (Social)
- Using the funds generated from the sale of these licenses, Farquhar set up a police force to maintain law and order.
• Farquhar got rid of pests by offering money to the people for every rat and centipede killed.
Political: Executed/Continued Raffles’ Policies
Economic: Opium Farming ($ from vice to fund SG trades from Melaka)
Social: Solved the problems of police (used $ earned from selling gambling license and opium to set up a police force), pests (offered money for every rat and centipede killed) and cleared the (dirty) land
