Done by: Group 2

Let the story flow…Let the story flow…

• The story starts in January 1819. Sir Thomas StamfoThe story starts in January 1819. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles’ expedition to find and start a new Britisrd Raffles’ expedition to find and start a new British trading port in the Straits of Melaka arrived in Sinh trading port in the Straits of Melaka arrived in Singapore’s waters.gapore’s waters.

• Upon an inspection of the island, Raffles decided thUpon an inspection of the island, Raffles decided that such an island would be the perfect choice upon at such an island would be the perfect choice upon which the British could start a settlement.which the British could start a settlement.

• Thus started a campaign to bring the then unimportThus started a campaign to bring the then unimportant fishing village of Singapore into the embrace of ant fishing village of Singapore into the embrace of the British…the British…

A Prequel.A Prequel.

• The Dutch had monopolised trade in the Straits of The Dutch had monopolised trade in the Straits of Melaka, jeopardising the lucrative British trade wiMelaka, jeopardising the lucrative British trade with China.th China.

• The British had themselves two ports in the regioThe British had themselves two ports in the region, namely Bencoolen and Penang.n, namely Bencoolen and Penang.

• These two were not of much help as:These two were not of much help as: Bencoolen was positioned way off the trading rBencoolen was positioned way off the trading r

oute on the other side of Sumatraoute on the other side of Sumatra• Penang was located too far up north in the Straits Penang was located too far up north in the Straits

and so was not very convenient for ships to stop at.and so was not very convenient for ships to stop at.

A Prequel.A Prequel.

• As early as in the year 1818, Raffles had already the As early as in the year 1818, Raffles had already the idea of a British settlement which can provide for a idea of a British settlement which can provide for a port in the trading route between China and India.port in the trading route between China and India.

• In a letter he wrote to the British East India CompanIn a letter he wrote to the British East India Company, Raffles said ,”y, Raffles said ,”The Dutch possess the only routes tThe Dutch possess the only routes through which ships must sail into the Malay Archipelahrough which ships must sail into the Malay Archipelago, the Straits of Sunda and Melaka; and the British hago, the Straits of Sunda and Melaka; and the British have now not an inch of ground to stand upon between ve now not an inch of ground to stand upon between India and China, nor a friendly port at which they obtaIndia and China, nor a friendly port at which they obtain water and obtain refreshmentin water and obtain refreshment.”.”

• And so he sets sail, bringing us to our story again…And so he sets sail, bringing us to our story again…

What happened next…What happened next…

• Raffles was convinced that Singapore should be maRaffles was convinced that Singapore should be made a British settlement.de a British settlement.

• Raffles learnt from the local Malay Temenggong thaRaffles learnt from the local Malay Temenggong that Singapore was under the rule of a Sultan from whot Singapore was under the rule of a Sultan from whom permission was to be sought before a settlement m permission was to be sought before a settlement could be established.could be established.

• However, the Sultan, Tengku Abdul Rahman, was uHowever, the Sultan, Tengku Abdul Rahman, was under control of the Dutch.nder control of the Dutch.

• This proved problematic as the Dutch was a chief riThis proved problematic as the Dutch was a chief rival to the British.val to the British.

What happened next…What happened next…

• Raffles decided to instead recognise Tengku HusseiRaffles decided to instead recognise Tengku Hussein, the elder brother of Tengku Abdul Rahman, as thn, the elder brother of Tengku Abdul Rahman, as the rightful Sultan.e rightful Sultan.

• This was supported by the Temenggong.This was supported by the Temenggong.• A treaty was therefore signed on 6 February, 1819. TA treaty was therefore signed on 6 February, 1819. T

engku Hussein gave Raffles permission to set up a Bengku Hussein gave Raffles permission to set up a British settlement in Singapore.ritish settlement in Singapore.

So much… But why?So much… But why?

The map of Southeast Asia. Singapore is situated to overlook the mouth of the Straits of Melaka.

So much… But why?So much… But why?

Raffles thought Singapore was the ideal choice aRaffles thought Singapore was the ideal choice as:s:

• It had an excellent harbour and a sufficient fresh watIt had an excellent harbour and a sufficient fresh water supply to keep ships going.er supply to keep ships going.

• It was located in an excellent strategic position.It was located in an excellent strategic position.• It was not occupied by the Dutch.It was not occupied by the Dutch.Singapore had a commanding position in the moSingapore had a commanding position in the mo

uth of the Straits of Melaka, taking from the Duth of the Straits of Melaka, taking from the Dutch Fort of Melaka all its previous advantages.utch Fort of Melaka all its previous advantages.

Well,Well,

• The Dutch objected strongly to the setting up of a BrThe Dutch objected strongly to the setting up of a British settlement in Singapore. itish settlement in Singapore.

• They argued that Singapore indirectly belonged to tThey argued that Singapore indirectly belonged to them.hem.

• Upon the effort of Raffles and several others, negotiUpon the effort of Raffles and several others, negotiations were made and finally concluded with the sigations were made and finally concluded with the signing of the Anglo-Dutch treaty, in which the entire ning of the Anglo-Dutch treaty, in which the entire Strait of Melaka was handed over to the British in exStrait of Melaka was handed over to the British in exchange for Bencoolen.change for Bencoolen.

Problem solved.Problem solved.

• Major William Farquhar was left in charge of the mMajor William Farquhar was left in charge of the management of Singapore while Raffles went off to seanagement of Singapore while Raffles went off to settle matters in Bencoolen.ttle matters in Bencoolen.

• He quickly imported food for the people and busineHe quickly imported food for the people and business to attract settlers.ss to attract settlers.

• A small police force was also set up to maintain law A small police force was also set up to maintain law and order.and order.

• Farquhar also put the pest population under control.Farquhar also put the pest population under control.• Singapore soon grew from a tiny, quiet fishing villaSingapore soon grew from a tiny, quiet fishing villa

ge into a busy bustling town.ge into a busy bustling town.

• Singapore officially became a British colony in 1824 Singapore officially became a British colony in 1824 when Dr John Crawford signed a treaty with the sultwhen Dr John Crawford signed a treaty with the sultan to hand over the entire island inreturn for larger an to hand over the entire island inreturn for larger sums of money than hepreviously received.sums of money than hepreviously received.

• As a summary, As a summary, CLICK HERECLICK HERE..

The end. Thank you.

With credits to:With credits to:

• Tze Jit, for the videoTze Jit, for the video• Ian, for the narrationIan, for the narration• Everyone else, for random stuff that they might or migEveryone else, for random stuff that they might or mig

ht not have contributedht not have contributed• Mr. Lim, for the lessonMr. Lim, for the lesson• Marshall Cavendish Education, for publishing the textMarshall Cavendish Education, for publishing the text

bookbook• Wikipedia, for being so ever-helpful in the times of neeWikipedia, for being so ever-helpful in the times of nee

dd• And myself, for the Powerpoint PresentationAnd myself, for the Powerpoint Presentation