British in SEA 1.Reasons 2.British Occupation of Penang, Founding of Singapore, Anglo-Dutch Treaty, Formation of Straits Settlements & transfer of SS to Colonial Office in London

British in SEA Participate in the lucrative spice trade of the East Indies - Ternate : spice-producing island, established trade, treaty signed with Sultan, brought cargo of cloves to England - Burma, Siam, Malacca : favourable reports of profitability of trade in East

British in SEA Imperial rivalry : England’s rivalry with Spain - England & Spain : enemies over control of the sea and trade - England determined to destroy Spanish power & influence , England sent 1 st voyage to East Indies via Cape of Good Hope

British in SEA Formation of East India Company - London merchants set up EIC in obtained royal charter to monopolise trade in countries between Africa & America - British attempted to get share of spice trade in Spice Islands (Moluccas) but failed as Dutch kept them at bay - British withdrew their factories in East Indies, est only base in Bencoolen

British Occupation of Penang, 1786 Strategic Reason - Anglo-French rivalry for supremacy in India - French naval bases strategically located for defence (eg Madras) but British had only Bombay - damages & losses to British shipping → convinced EIC of need to establish naval base to east of Bay of Bengal

British Occupation of Penang, 1876 Commercial Reason 1.increasing importance of China Trade - tea, silk, porcelain, huge profits reaped 2.Port of Call between India & China - harbour, refit, refill 3.collecting centre for Straits produce - correct unfavourable balance of China trade : Straits products to be exchanged for tea

Founding of Singapore Increasing importance of China Trade - tea in great demand - make trade more lucrative : opium & Malay Archipelago trade - British merchants sold opium in exchange for Chinese tea → made large profit in Chinese silver - Straits produce : tin, gold dust, iron, ivory, tortoise shell, gambier, sandalwood → port needed to control this trade

Founding of Singapore Need to check Dutch power - Dutch control of East Indies & trade routes to the East → discriminated against British > Singapore strategically located to control trade route to East and Malay Archipelago trade

Asia

Anglo-Dutch Treaty 1824

Transfer of SS to Colonial Office in London Administration - shortage of staff : insufficient knowledge of local Malay conditions as focus was India - lack of representation in Indian govt Official policies of Indian Govt - non-intervention in Malay States as profit was of utmost importance - political instability in Malay states : threat to trading interests & investments - dumping of convicts : affect SS reputation

Transfer of SS to Colonial Office in London Interference in trade - impose trade & port duties : detrimental to free trade status - Currency Act : Indian rupee made legal tender in the SS  Straits merchants petitioned for transfer  1867 : SS became a Crown Colony