AMKSS Chpt 2 (sec 1 hist)

A NG M O K IO S ECONDARY S CHOOL S ECONDARY 1 H ISTORY C HAPTER 2 – T HE F OUNDING OF S INGAPORE AS A B RITISH T RADING P OST Name: _____________________________ ( ) Class: _______ Date: __________ By the end of this chapter, you should know: □ Why did the British set up a trading post in Singapore □ How did the British overcome the challenges to establish a trading post in Singapore Reasons for British establishing a trading post in Singapore In order to understand why the British eventually chose to establish a trading post in Singapore, we can think about two sub-questions: a) Why did the British want to look for a new trading post in Southeast Asia ? What is the factor? [State] What is the factor about? [Describe/Examples] The British established a trading post in Singapore because of Dutch control of spice trade. • Since the 15 th century, European powers were heavily interested in spices such as pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg and competed for control over the spice trade in Southeast Asia. • The Dutch control of trade along the Straits of Melaka and the Sunda Straits by the 19 th century meant that the British were confined to trading in Bencoolen, which was unfavourable. • The British East India Company (EIC) wanted a share of the flourishing spice trade in Southeast Asia and looked for alternatives to break the Dutch control of spice trade.

The British established a trading post in Singapore because of the unsuitability of existing British ports. • After 1786, British had two trading ports – in Bencoolen and Penang – where British ships could stop for refuelling and repairs on their journeys between India and China. • Bencoolen was situated on the Western side of Sumatra and not along the main trading route between China and India. • Penang was too far north to allow the British to control the Straits of Melaka or protect the British ships from travelling through the Straits. Reasons for British establishing a trading post in Singapore (continued) b) Why did the British choose S ingapore ? The British had considered other locations like the Karimun Islands (in Indonesia) for their new trading post in Southeast Asia. However, the British eventually chose Singapore as the British found that Singapore possessed several advantageous/good qualities that made it an ideal port: What is the factor? [State] What is the factor about? [Describe/Examples] The British established a trading post in Singapore because Singapore had a natural sheltered harbour • Singapore had a natural sheltered harbour which could protect British ships from storms. The British established a trading post in Singapore because Singapore had an abundance of drinking water • Singapore had an abundance of drinking water that allowed British ships to replenish their water supply during their stopover when travelling between China and India.

The British established a trading post in Singapore because Singapore had a good strategic location • Singapore was strategically located to allow the British to protect the ships along the India-China trade route and to control the Straits of Melaka. • Singapore was also conveniently located as the centre of trade and allowed the British to increase their trade revenue. [Additional Space for students to understand the connection between the two sub questions, if applicable] British interest in SEA + Suitability of Singapore

Establishment of British port in SG How did the British establish a trading post in Singapore? What is the factor? [State] What is the factor about? [Describe/Examples] The British established a trading post in Singapore through the 1819 Singapore Treaty. • On 6 February 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles signed an agreement with Sultan Hussien and Temengong Abdul Rahman. • Under this 1819 Treaty, the British were allowed to set up a trading post in the southern part of the Singapore island. • In return, the Temengong and Sultan Hussien would receive an annual payment as compensation. The British also agreed to give protection and support to them if they agreed not to make any treaties with other Western powers.

The British established a trading post in Singapore through the 1824 Anglo Dutch Treaty. • The Dutch were angry when they heard about the British establishing a trading port in Singapore, claiming that Singapore belonged to the Dutch. However, the British became convinced that establishing a trading post in Singapore was necessary to prevent the Dutch control of Southeast Asia from growing. The British was prepared to fight the Dutch to gain control of Singapore. • The British and Dutch settled their dispute peacefully through the 1824 Anglo-Dutch Treaty. • Under this treaty, the Dutch dropped their legal claims over Singapore. The areas in the Malay Peninsula and East Indies were divided into the British and Dutch spheres of influence. • Singapore was in the Malay Peninsula that was under the British sphere of influence. The British established a trading post in Singapore through the 1824 Treaty of Friendship and Alliance. • The 1824 Treaty of Friendship and Alliance was signed between Dr John Crawfurd, Sultan Hussien, and Temengong Abdul Rahman. • Under this treaty, the British were given control over the whole of Singapore. • In exchange, the Sultan and Temengong received a larger amount of annual payment as compensation.