DHS Y3 History British in Malaya Essay Revision

DUNMAN HIGH SCHOOL HUMANITIES AND ARTS PROGRAMME YEAR 3 History Unit 1 Argument Map Assignment Name: __________________________ ( ) Class: ________ 2022 3ei - PRACTICE “British colonial rule was a boon for the people of Malaya.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. 3ei - PRACTICE “British colonial rule was a boon for Malaya.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. UNPACKING THE ARGUMENT MAP What is the historical debate about? (Issue) The issue is about the British rule of Malaya. (1874-1941) HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION - Revised 1 UNPACK THE STATEMENT This statement suggests that British colonial rule was beneficial to Malaya. This means that the British government had introduced changes and policies that ultimately benefited the lives of the locals and migrants in Malaya. AGREE PERSPECTIVE For this to be true, it means that the British colonial government brought in positive changes such as creating political stability and boosting economic growth for Malaya , both of which benefitted Malaya. Under British colonial rule, there were growths and developments leading to a modernized Malaya. The growth of tin and rubber industries had increased revenue to develop Malaya. (Premise 1 of GP). - British administration also introduced a modern system of transportation and communications in the Malay States to improve the standards of living. (Premise 2 of GP). OPPOSING PERSPECTIVE

On the other hand, it could be argued that British colonial rule was a bane as there were political losses due to loss of power and prestige for the rulers and chiefs and social tensions created by the massive arrivals of Chinese and Indian immigrants. CRITIQUE THE PERSPECTIVE YOU DISAGREE WITH Even though there were racial tensions, one has to bear in mind that British rule also brought economic prosperity and social progress to Malaya. The British government compensated the rulers by ensuring they had authority over religion and customs. They also introduced the Malay land reservations system to protect the indigenous Malays. STAND In this essay, my view is that British colonial rule benefitted Malaya politically and economically even though there were some damages to the social structure, making the impact rather uneven throughout Malaya.

BODY PARAGRAPH AGREEING PERSPECTIVE POLITICAL STABILITY POINT The British helped to achieve peace & stability in the Malay states by resolving the succession disputes and the conflicts between the tin miners. EVIDENCE (SUCCESSION DISPUTES) -The Malay States experienced frequent conflicts due to succession disputes. These disputes caused tensions and conflicts that drove a state into chaos. -In the case of Perak, the succession disputes erupted into a civil war which disrupted trade. -The power struggles between the Malay chiefs intensified when combined with the disorder of the secret societies in Perak. -The British sometimes had to intervene in order to deal with the chaos created by local conflicts which greatly disrupted trade. -The British examined the local conditions and took steps to resolve the conflicts. In the Pangkor Treaty in 1874, they installed Raja Abdullah as the Sultan of Perak and appointed a resident to be his advisor. EVIDENCE (LARUT WARS - FROM TIN MINERS) -At times, the power struggles between the Malay chiefs intensified when combined with the problems from the Chinese Secret Societies. In Perak, the Larut Wars among the tin miners was one example of a chaotic situation that required intervention. As there was no proper land survey to demarcate the various tin mines, the Ghee Hins and the Hai Sans Chinese miners often fought fiercely over control of tin mines and water courses. As there was no proper land survey to demarcate the various tin mines, the Chinese miners often fought over control of tin mines and water courses. EXPLAIN WHAT THE BRITISH DID -When the British intervened, they restored political stability and enforced law and order. -The British helped to draw political boundaries to control disputes and acted as peacemakers between rival chiefs. -Soon the riots were controlled and trade was protected with British intervention. -With peace established, the miners could concentrate on their business in a stable and safe environment. -There was a greater standardization of laws and a better organization of local defence forces to keep peace in Malaya. LINK Hence, British rule was a boon to Malaya as the stable political situation increased businesses and investments which led to economic progress. British policies had created a peaceful and stable environment for creating wealth for Malaya. ECONOMIC GROWTH

POINT -The British colonial rule transformed Malaya’s subsistence-based economy to become an export-oriented economy, supplying cash crops and raw materials to the world. -The British invested in tin and rubber industries which resulted in economic prosperity to Malaya. -Tin & rubber industries became the pillars of the Malayan economy bringing in most of the revenue. TIN EVIDENCE -Large companies were in the hands of European entrepreneurs who had large sums of capital to purchase the latest and most sophisticated equipment such as the tin dredge which enabled large amounts of tin to be excavated. -In addition, smelting plants which were set up in Spore & Butterworth, provided work for the growing population. EXPLAIN -Hence British control of the tin states created the conditions ideal for the development of the tin industry. Under British rule, European capital and Chinese labour transformed Malaya into the world’s largest producer of tin by 1898. RUBBER EVIDENCE -Like tin, the rubber industry was funded by European capital and grew rapidly. -By 1918, over 2.5 million acres were used for rubber cultivation and Malaya was producing half of the world’s total consumption. -The large plantation estates were managed by European planters while the work of rubber tapping was usually carried out by Indian labourers. -The rubber industry provided the largest single source of revenue to the Malayan government. The British played a major role in technical knowledge, the capital resources and the enterprises to promote it. -They also had the active encouragement and support of the British administration. -Funded by European capital, rubber surpassed tin as Malaya’s most profitable export by the 20 th century. EXPLAIN -British rule benefited Malaya as they created stable conditions and employment opportunities for Malaya, bringing in large revenues to finance the building of roads and railways and later social facilities like hospitals and school. LINK FOR TIN & RUBBER -Therefore, British rule brought about economic progress which in turn led to social progress for Malaya. From the economic point of vie