2. Let the story flow…
• The story starts in January 1819. Sir Thomas Stamford
Raffles’ expedition to find and start a new British trading
port in the Straits of Melaka arrived in Singapore’s
waters.
• Upon an inspection of the island, Raffles decided that
such an island would be the perfect choice upon which
the British could start a settlement.
• Thus started a campaign to bring the then unimportant
fishing village of Singapore into the embrace of the
British…
3. A Prequel.
• The Dutch had monopolised trade in the Straits of
Melaka, jeopardising the lucrative British trade with
China.
• The British had themselves two ports in the region,
namely Bencoolen and Penang.
• These two were not of much help as:
Bencoolen was positioned way off the trading route
on the other side of Sumatra
• Penang was located too far up north in the Straits and
so was not very convenient for ships to stop at.
4. A Prequel.
• As early as in the year 1818, Raffles had already the idea
of a British settlement which can provide for a port in the
trading route between China and India.
Raffles said ,”The Dutch possess the only routes through
The Dutch possess the only routes through
• In a letter he wrote to the British East India Company,
which ships must sail into the Malay Archipelago, the
which ships must sail into the Malay Archipelago, the
Straits of Sunda and Melaka; and the British have now not
Straits of Sunda and Melaka; and the British have now not
an inch of ground to stand upon between India and China,
an inch of ground to stand upon between India and China,
nor a friendly port at which they obtain water and obtain
nor a friendly port at which they obtain water and obtain
refreshment.”
refreshment.”
• And so he sets sail, bringing us to our story again…
5. What happened next…
• Raffles was convinced that Singapore should be made a
British settlement.
• Raffles learnt from the local Malay Temenggong that
Singapore was under the rule of a Sultan from whom
permission was to be sought before a settlement could be
established.
• However, the Sultan, Tengku Abdul Rahman, was under
control of the Dutch.
• This proved problematic as the Dutch was a chief rival to
the British.
6. What happened next…
• Raffles decided to instead recognise Tengku Hussein, the
elder brother of Tengku Abdul Rahman, as the rightful
Sultan.
• This was supported by the Temenggong.
• A treaty was therefore signed on 6 February, 1819.
Tengku Hussein gave Raffles permission to set up a
British settlement in Singapore.
7. So much… But why?
The map of Southeast Asia. Singapore is situated to
overlook the mouth of the Straits of Melaka.
8. So much… But why?
Raffles thought Singapore was the ideal choice as:
• It had an excellent harbour and a sufficient fresh water
supply to keep ships going.
• It was located in an excellent strategic position.
• It was not occupied by the Dutch.
Singapore had a commanding position in the
mouth of the Straits of Melaka, taking from the
Dutch Fort of Melaka all its previous advantages.
9. Well,
• The Dutch objected strongly to the setting up of a British
settlement in Singapore.
• They argued that Singapore indirectly belonged to them.
• Upon the effort of Raffles and several others,
negotiations were made and finally concluded with the
signing of the Anglo-Dutch treaty, in which the entire
Strait of Melaka was handed over to the British in
exchange for Bencoolen.
10. Problem solved.
• Major William Farquhar was left in charge of the
management of Singapore while Raffles went off to settle
matters in Bencoolen.
• He quickly imported food for the people and business to
attract settlers.
• A small police force was also set up to maintain law and
order.
• Farquhar also put the pest population under control.
• Singapore soon grew from a tiny, quiet fishing village
into a busy bustling town.
11. • Singapore officially became a British colony in 1824
when Dr John Crawford signed a treaty with the sultan to
hand over the entire island inreturn for larger sums of
money than hepreviously received.
• As a summary, CLICK HERE.
The end. Thank you.
12. With credits to:
• Tze Jit, for the video
• Ian, for the narration
• Everyone else, for random stuff that they might or might
not have contributed
• Mr. Lim, for the lesson
• Marshall Cavendish Education, for publishing the
textbook
• Wikipedia, for being so ever-helpful in the times of need
• And myself, for the Powerpoint Presentation
