Reasons Raffles and the Malay Rulers at the Treaty of 1819.

Singapore as a British Port Reasons

Raffles and the Malay Rulers at the Treaty of 1819

Reasons for Choosing Singapore as a port

1. British’s Need to break Dutch Monopoly

2. Singapore’s Geographical Location 3. Singapore’s Natural Harbour

East India House, London, painted by Thomas Malton in 1800

Opium Factory in Calcutta (India)

1. British’s Need to break Dutch Monopoly

East India Company (EIC) sold opium, which was produced in India, to the Chinese. In return, they bought tea from the Chinese and sold it in Europe. Why?

Context: The demand by Europeans for Eastern goods Spices and Tea from China was enjoyed by Europeans

Result: Britain’s trade with China had become very lucrative

To C

hin

a

Due to lucrative trade, the British and Dutch were competing for control of the trade routes and resources in Asia

Who had more control of the trade routes and resources?

To C

hin

a

Background information

Both British and Dutch were allies.

Reason: Britain’s position as one of the world’s leading powers was coming under threat from the growing strength of Austria, Prussia and Russia.

1. British’s Need to break Dutch Monopoly

1. British’s Need to break Dutch Monopoly

It is clear that the objective of the Dutch is to control all the trade. By controlling the only passes to the Archipelago, namely the Straits of Meleka and the Sunda Straits , they have the power to disrupt our China trade. From a letter written by Stamford Raffles

Dutch’s attempt to have trade monopoly The Dutch navy could prevent British ships from passing

through the area from its ports at Batavia and Melaka. The Dutch forced all British ships to trade at the Dutch

port of Batavia. All Asian trading boats only could trade at Dutch ports.

The British have now not an inch of ground to stand upon between India and China, nor a friendly port at which they obtain water and obtain refreshment.

Adapted from a letter written by Raffles in 1818 in A History of Singapore, 1819 – 1988 by Constance Mary Turnbull

1. British’s Need to break Dutch Monopoly

Result How would Britain feel about Dutch trade monopoly? Britain was concerned about losing its trade in Asia What action should be taken then? They need to find a new base to break Dutch trade monopoly

Imagine that you are Raffles. What would be your criteria for selecting a new base? Why? 1) Port near to the routes through which ships

must sail into the Malay Archipelago (Straits of Sunda and Melaka)

2) Port near to the centre of trade in the Archipelago

Existing ports (Penang and Bencoolen) were not suitable as they are not near the routes or centre of trade in the Archipelago.

1st Choice: Semangka Bay, Padang

or Palembang

2nd Choice: Rhio, Siak, Pontianak

and Lingga

3rd Choice: Carmion Islands

Final Decision: Singapore

Solution: Selection of a New Base

Reasons for Choosing Singapore as a port

1. British’s Need to break Dutch Monopoly

2. Singapore’s Geographical Location 3. Singapore’s Natural Harbour

Solution: Selection of a New Base

Why would Singapore’s location along the Straits of Melaka make it an ideal place for Britain to set up a trading settlement?

You have only to glance at the map to discover it

occupies a central position in the Straits of

Melaka. Singapore is located at the southern

entrance of the Straits of Melaka, giving us a

commanding position to protect our ships as they

sail from India to China.

A letter by Raffles

2. Singapore’s Geographical Location

Geographical Location Singapore was centrally located along the main

India-China trade route used by British ships and so ships going between East-West could stop by conveniently to trade, to rest and to replenish food and water

The British could control the southern entrance to the Straits of Melaka from Singapore

British warships could be sent out from Singapore to protect trading ships traveling in South East Asia

It is impossible to conceive a place combining more

advantages. It is within a week’s sail of China, still

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

Archipelago, or as the Malays called it, the Navel

of the Malay countries.

Adapted from a letter written by Raffles in June

1819

2. Singapore’s Geographical Location

Singapore is near to the main trading area in the Archipelago. Why would it be an ideal place for Britain to set up a trading settlement?

Reasons for Choosing Singapore as a port

1. British’s Need to break Dutch Monopoly

2. Singapore’s Geographical Location 3. Singapore’s Natural Harbour

3. Singapore’s Natural Harbour

Safe harbour for protecting ships from stormy winds as well. Why would safe harbour make it an ideal place for Britain to set up a trading settlement?

The harbour can also provide facilities for ships to dock, refit and replenish

Plentiful supply of water to replenish water for ships

It has also been our good fortune to discover one of the safest harbors in the area , with every facility for protecting shipping in time of war. Singapore is everything we could desire. It will soon rise in importance and break the Dutch monopoly of trade in the archipelago. A letter written by Raffles

Raffles and his party set foot on the island of Singapore at 4pm on 28 January 1819

Bukit Larangan (Fort Canning)

Chinese gambier

plantation

Singapore River

Place where Raffles first

landed

Malay village Mangrove

swamp

Dutch trade monopoly and control of seas

CauseBritain feared that the Dutch might stop it from continuing its India-China trade

Britain decided to search for a new trading settlement

Effects

CONCLUSION

Singa-pore was chosen