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Who was the founder of Who was the founder of Singapore?Singapore?

Chapter 2

Can you name these gentlemen?

In this chapter, you will learn about:

British-Dutch Relationship in the Early 19th Century

British and the Dutch East India trading companies were competing outside Europe for monopoly of trade routes.

British-Dutch Relationship in the Early 19th Century

British settlements in Penang and Bencoolen were unsuitable.

Refer to pg 23 of your textbook and complete the table below with reasons for why these settlements were unsuitable.

Penang BencoolenFar from the main trading area in the Malay Archipelago

Far from the main trading area in the Malay Archipelago

Being far north to the Straits of Melaka, it was not useful for controlling the Straits of Melaka and protecting British ships there

Faced Indian Ocean instead of the Straits of Melaka

British-Dutch Relationship in the Early 19th Century

Melaka, which belonged to the Dutch, occupied a better position. Controlled both the Straits of Melaka and the Sunda

Straits Could cut off the valuable trade between Penang and the

important trading centres within the Archipelago

How do you think the British felt about this?

- They were concerned and threatened by Dutch monopoly in the Malay Archipelago.

- They were motivated to find another, more useful and strategic port in the Malay Archipelago.

Raffles’ thoughts on Singapore

At Singapore, I found advantages far superior to what other islands afforded… It occupies a central position in the Straits of Melaka. It is

in a commanding position to protect our trading ships between China and India… One of the safest and extensive harbours in these

seas, with every facility for protecting shipping in time of war.

It is impossible to conceive a place combining more advantages. It is within a week’s sail of China, still

closer to Siam, Cochin-China and in the very heart of the Malay

Archipelago.

Raffles’ thoughts on Singapore

Based on the previous slides, can you summarise the reasons why Singapore was chosen to be a British trading settlement?1. Geographically close to important trading

centres such as China, India and Siam2. Strategic central position; able to protect

British ships against the Dutch on important trade routes (such as between India and China)

3. Good facilities (deep harbour, good supply of drinking water)

4. Unsuitability of Penang and Bencoolen

Raffles reached Singapore on 28th January 1819.

Problems in Starting a Trading Settlement in Singapore

Dutch Control of Local Ruler

Temenggong Abdul Rahman was the Malay Chief of the Island in 1819.

He was agreeable to Raffles’ request to establish a British trading settlement in Singapore, but informed Raffles that the island was ruled by Sultan Abdul Rahman of the Johor-Riau Sultanate.

Only the Sultan could give the British permission, but the Sultan was under Dutch control.

Why was this a problem?

- The Dutch would not allow the creation of a British trading settlement that could affect their trade

monopoly.

Dutch Control of Local Ruler

Read page 26 and 27 of your textbook to learn more about how Raffles overcame this problem.

You may also watch a video segment at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O12Lwol3iaY (4:30 min to 7:00 min).

How would you describe Raffles’ character?

- Strategic, intelligent and perceptive

Dutch Control of Local Ruler

What were the terms of the treaty?

1. Sultan to be paid an allowance of $5000 a year.

2. Temenggong to be paid an allowance of $3000 a year.

3. The British could build a settlement in the southern part of Singapore

Did Singapore become a British colony after the treaty was signed?- NO, it was only a British trading settlement

- British only controlled southern part of Singapore- The rest of Singapore was still controlled by a Malay

ruler

Dutch Opposition and British Reluctance to Antagonise the Dutch

The Dutch protested strongly against the British trading settlement at Singapore.

The British were also unhappy at Raffles for antagonising the Dutch. They wanted Holland as a strong and friendly buffer state

against other aggressive and powerful European countries.

What is a buffer state?

A territory situated between two or more countries that reduces the likelihood of war

Dutch Opposition and British Reluctance to Antagonise the Dutch

However, the Dutch were unwilling to go to war and did also did not want to anger British too much. Financially weak after the Napoleonic Wars in Europe

As both sides did not want to go to war, they agreed on a peace settlement known as the Treaty of London, in 1924.

What were the terms of the treaty?

- Malay Peninsula and Singapore would be under the British- Dutch East Indies (or Indonesia) would be under the Dutch- The Dutch would exchange their port of Melaka for

the British port of Bencoolen

Starting a New Settlement in Singapore

After signing the treaty with Sultan Hussein and the Temenggong, Raffles left for Bencoolen.

Farquhar, who was the Resident or local ruler of the settlement, was left in charge.

Starting a New Settlement in Singapore

Farquhar faced several problems in getting the new settlement started.

Singapore becomes a British Colony

Singapore officially became a British colony in August 1824.

Dr. John Crawfurd, the second Resident of Singapore, signed a treaty with Sultan Hussein in which the whole island was handed over to British control in return for larger payments of money.

The founder of Singapore?

Who, among these men, was the founder of Singapore?

Can you explain your answer using the information you have learnt from this chapter?

(Note: There are no right or wrong answers! It is all about how you explain and support your answer.)

Recap Questions

Why was Singapore chosen by the British?

What is meant by monopoly?

What problems did Raffles face in making Singapore a British trading settlement?

What problems did Farquhar face in starting the new settlement, and how did he attempt to solve them?