Chapter 3 Immigrants and their role in developing Singapore
Who were the immigrants? People of different races from different parts of the world who came immediately after Raffles founded Singapore. People of different races from different parts of the world who came immediately after Raffles founded Singapore. Population swelled: Population swelled: 1819 – a few hundreds of pirates and Orang Laut 1819 – a few hundreds of pirates and Orang Laut 1824 – 10, – 10, – 181, – 181, 602 By 1840, the Chinese outnumbered the Malays. By 1840, the Chinese outnumbered the Malays. The first people who came were the Malays and the Chinese from Malacca. The first people who came were the Malays and the Chinese from Malacca.
Why did they come Push factors Push factors Lack of jobs in homeland. Lack of jobs in homeland. Natural disasters. Natural disasters. Unrest in home country. Unrest in home country. Famine Famine Poverty Poverty Pull factors Pull factors Absence of restriction on immigrants. Availability of jobs. Business opportunities. Free port Security provided by the British government.
Where did they come from? Arabia – the Arabs who were mainly traders. Arabia – the Arabs who were mainly traders. Europe – mainly the British, Dutch and the Portugese. Europe – mainly the British, Dutch and the Portugese. India – Tamils, Malayalees, Gujaratis, Sindhees and Parsees. Some were labourers and convicts, others were laundrymen, milkmen, moneylenders and money changers. India – Tamils, Malayalees, Gujaratis, Sindhees and Parsees. Some were labourers and convicts, others were laundrymen, milkmen, moneylenders and money changers. Sri Lanka – Tamil and Sinhalese. Sri Lanka – Tamil and Sinhalese. China – Mainly from Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan Island. China – Mainly from Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan Island. Malacca and Penang – Peranakans (Straits-born Chinese). Malacca and Penang – Peranakans (Straits-born Chinese). Malay Archipelago – Malays, Javanese, Boyanese and Bugis. Malay Archipelago – Malays, Javanese, Boyanese and Bugis.
Factors that led to growth of trade Political future assured by Anglo-Dutch Treaty which recognised Singapore as a British possession. Political future assured by Anglo-Dutch Treaty which recognised Singapore as a British possession. Free port – No import and export charges and port duties. Free port – No import and export charges and port duties. Its strategic location meant that it could attract traders from the east and west. Its strategic location meant that it could attract traders from the east and west. Private enterprise was encouraged and there were no monopolies. Private enterprise was encouraged and there were no monopolies.
How trade was carried out? Europeans established trading companies and agency houses. Europeans established trading companies and agency houses. They bought and sold goods through Chinese middlemen, usually Straits-born Chinese who were conversant in English and the local languages. They bought and sold goods through Chinese middlemen, usually Straits-born Chinese who were conversant in English and the local languages. Goods sold include: Goods sold include: Cotton, woolen cotton, steel and glassware (from Europe) Cotton, woolen cotton, steel and glassware (from Europe) Tea, silk, preserved foodstuff and household ware (China) Tea, silk, preserved foodstuff and household ware (China) Elephant tusks, sugar, rice, rhinceros horns and buffalo skin ( SEAsia, Thailand and Indochina) Elephant tusks, sugar, rice, rhinceros horns and buffalo skin ( SEAsia, Thailand and Indochina) Pepper, bird’s nests, sago and camphor (Malay Archipelago) Pepper, bird’s nests, sago and camphor (Malay Archipelago)
Read more about it! Raffles’ Town Plan Raffles’ Town Plan
Which means……
Point to ponder ‘To a large extent, Raffles was racist when he came up with the Raffles’ Town Plan.’ Do you agree? Explain your answer. ‘To a large extent, Raffles was racist when he came up with the Raffles’ Town Plan.’ Do you agree? Explain your answer.
The End The End