Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SSA2211 Information COurse NUS
SSA2211 Information COurse NUS
Sejarah
Melayu
Who / Year
How it started
Seri Teri
Buana, Prince
of Palembang /
1299
Parameswara,
Portuguese Prince of
recounts
Palembang /
1392
Why he left
After 5 generations /
1396
Important Questions:
Instead of arguing the authenticity of either accounts, it is more important to understand why they have come to be
written the way they have been written i.e. Social Memory VS History
Seri Teri Buanas renaming the island to Singapura was less because he sighted a lion but more to assert that this
was where he intended to re-establish the lion-throne, the seat he and his consort sat on for rituals in Palembang.
Fort Canning also served as an ideal symbolic representation to relocate his lion-throne. Hence, Singapura was a
major chapter in the transmission of the divine genealogy from Palembang to Singapura to Melaka and finally to
Johor.
For Parameswara, Singapura was important as it was his refuge from the avenging Majapahit forces.
Ultimately, courses of events forced both Seri Teri Buanas descendents and Parameswara to decamp Singapura and
seek a new location to rebuild their vision of establishing a new emporium that would continue the legacy of
Srivijaya.
This foundational myth would be used by Sultan Madmuds descendents in 1511 where they attempt to re-establish
the glory of Melaka and Srivijaya. In 1819, Tengku Hussein would also hope to inherit the legacy of Melaka and
Srivijaya with this tale.
14th Temasek
10871090
1275
1279
1299
1330s
1368
China
lifted ban though trade
still highly controlled
1079
1127
Region
Important Notes:
Temaseks ability to function as a port that offered several select products to the Asian market was not due entirely
to the richness in Singapores natural resources. While a portion of the hornbill casques and lakawood could be
harvested from the island, it is likely that most of these products were obtained from surrounding area which were
rich sources of foreign products.
Temasek also functioned as a collection centre and export getaway for products obtained from the immediate area.
As the only port located at the southern end of the Melaka Straits, Termasek appears to have functioned as the
collection centre and export getaway of south Johor and the Riau Archipelago. Archaeological evidence confirms this
close economic ties between the two nations.
Important Questions:
Globalization?
How did
it looked
like
Artisan Quarters
Lower east slope of hill is the artisan and
servants quarters; high concentration of
glass fragments, beads, ceramic moulds
suggest glass- and jewellery-making
- Religious site
Higher up east slope, lies remains of a
building foundation of religious
significance; non-perishable materials
were used for the construction
- Royal abode
On the northern slope near the summit of
the hill was an impressive terrace site
likely used to house the ruling family
- Restricted Space
Royal garden and palace on the hills
eastern and northern slope were
inaccessible to commoners due to salt
marches to the west and forest up north
- Boundaries / Defence
The royal residency is likely to have a
perimeter defence and there is likely to
have spatial demarcation to mark out the
functions of the spaces
This form of religious architecture was fairly
common throughout island Southeast Asia in the
classical period
Archaeologists unearthed rare and valuable
Chinese ceramics; flexible gold armlets of
Javanese-inspired designs near Fort Canning site
Evidence
-
Important Questions:
Singapura
Singapura comes under Melaka Sultanate. Acts as the home
base of the Orang Laut, warriors of the Melaka sultans
1511
1528
1530
Region
Parameswara establishes Kingdom of
Melaka
Melaka falls to the Portuguese
Last sultan of Melaka establishes Johor
Sultanate up the Johor River
Series of Portuguese attacks on Johor
Sultanate
Portuguese
Dutch
New passage way around Singapore was discovered
Set up a base at Melaka
New passageway through waters of Singapore was public knowledge. Everyone that had a vested
interest in ensuring that they establish & maintain strategic control over the passages that traversed
this area contested for the region
Portugal
Portugal ally
herself with
Aceh in early
16th century
Dutch / VOC
Aceh
Johor Sultanate
Local rivalry between Aceh and Johor Sultanate.
Aceh wanted to overtake Johor & establish herself as
the dominant port-polity in Melaka Straits. Aceh
launched a series of attacks on the Johor Sultanate
Focus on Japan
Japan closed
off in 1639
Aftermath
Southward shift of strategic maritime link: Sunda and Java became strategic because the Dutch was in control of the
waters of the region. They dictated the trade through the region and it drove Singapore into oblivion for 200 years
After 4-way tussle, there was a realization by all powers that fortifications and permanent naval presence was crucial
for ensuring the safety of their mercantile shipping and economic interests in the region. Trade VS Defence
1213SEM1
In 1603, with the help of the Johor Sultanate, the Dutch attacked the Portuguese vessel, Santa Catarina, as it was
entering the waters off Singapore. With this the Portuguese lost a vast fortune and it was a great victory for the
Dutch. Imagine you are an advisor to the Johor Sultan; give an assessment of this event in terms of the power
struggle taking place for the waters around Singapore. [25 marks]
1112SEM2
Two historians are debating Singapores history of the 1600s. One scholar exclaims, It was a golden age because
Singapura was so hotly contested by European and local powers! Meanwhile, the other scholar retorts, NO! It was
a black hole for Singapores history! Nothing happened on the island! How would you mediate this dispute?
1112SEM1
Imagine you are an agent for either the Portuguese Crown OR the VOC (Dutch East India Company) travelling
through Southeast Asia in the 1600s. Write a report to your superiors giving a review of your allies and rivals in the
Melaka Straits region. Include your assessment of Singapura as a trading centre. [25 marks]
1011SEM2
Explain how Singapore during the 15th-18th centuries was strategic to (a) the Johor kingdom and (b) the Portuguese
and the Dutch. [25 marks]
Chapter 7 Raffles and the Establishment of an East India Company Station on Singapore
Events leading to Singapores colonization:
Event
Britain took over Dutch territories in Java & Melaka after Dutch loss to France in the war in Europe
1818
28 Jan 1819
6 Feb 1819
Treaty that gave British rights to set up a factory in exchange for money to Tengku Husain and
Temenggong was signed
June 1819
Oct 1822
Raffles signed further agreements with Tengku Husain and Temenggong that regularise the
administration of the settlement, limiting their influence on Singapore
1 June 1824
Crawfurd stopped all payments to Husain by alleging that agreements to pay Husain was not
legitimate and Husain in return owed the East India Company money. In order to repay the debts,
Crawfurd wanted Husain to sign a new treaty that gave up Husains power in the island
2 Aug 1824
Raffles
Britain / East
India
Company
Chinese
Traders
Felt that Britain should not have returned Dutch territories after the war in Europe, saw
the Dutch as allies in Europe but enemies in Asia
Saw the need to fend off the threat posed by the Dutch to the East India Company in their
Asian trade and wanted to establish a British port in Southeast Asia to combat Dutch
presence in the region
Was the catalyst for establishment of a British port in Singapore
Initially unwilling to compromise relations with Dutch who were allies in war against
France
- Ultimately set up port to bolster defence for transoceanic route to archipelago and China
- Was attracted to Singapores free trade as a more congenial port of trade than those of
Dutch or other Sultans
- Kept Singapore going although Bengal administration was unwilling to bear the cost of
running Singapore
Tengku
- Husain was last legitimate successor to the throne. When his father died, he was in Pahang
Husain /
for his wedding, Bugis forces exploited this and made his younger brother Sultan
Temenggong
- Needed the treaty that recognized himself as the sultan which he lost to his brother
- Made it possible for Raffles to justify his establishment of a British settlement in Singapore
Players leading to the establishment of colonial Singapore
Important Questions:
Individual heroes or part of a bigger canvas?
1112SEM1
Was it Raffles free trade policy alone that led to the flourishing of Singapore as a colonial entrept? Focus on the
1800s in your answer. [25 marks]
Local Agents: Raffles and Tengku Husain
Global forces: Dutch losing to France in Europe and Britain emerging as the top dog in naval might allowed Raffles to
keep Singapore as a British port without the Dutch hostilities; Dutch port in Batavia was poorly managed, made
Raffles free trade policy successful
Chinese
Arab
Indians
Bugis were the main carrier of Straits products in early 19th century
They grew unhappy with the Dutch at Riau and had a conflict. Following which, Farquhar
welcomed them and the Bugis in Singapore pulled in the Bugis trade
Malays, however, were not used to British set-up and felt alienated. Their traditional style of
paying tributes/taxation was opposite to the Britishs free trade in Singapore
Singapore, would however, become the centre of Malay intellectual life and politics. Many
camps with opposing sentiments towards the British were borne.
Early 19th century, Batavia was the only port Chinese could trade in, though Dutch-controlled
ports were unattractive because of Dutch antagonism to the Chinese, prevalent persecution of
Chinese and heavy import and export duties making Batavia unpopular among the Chinese
Development of Singapore as a commercial centre saw significant growth in Chinese population
where many came as prostitutes and coolies Secret societies grew out of banding together
Straits Chinese had the ability to speak English & Malay became natural middleman
Chinese community generally good at taking care of themselves despite secret societies because
mayhem was bad for business
First voyaged to Southeast Asian archipelago in search of Chinese luxury goods
By 15th century, traders made full use of segmented trade arrangements and travelled halfway
instead of all the way to China. Melaka became popular because of Islams conversion
Looking to escape heavy custom dues imposed in Dutch controlled ports, Singapore came into
picture and Raffles also encouraged them to settle in Singapore
Arabs in Singapore are generally from powerful, influential and wealthy families
By 20th century, although numbers still small, the Arab community was powerful, owning huge
amounts of property, real estate
Until 1873, Indians arrived as convicts transported to Singapore to serve their term
Large-scale voluntary Indian migration began only in the second half of 19th century but most
were from lower caste Indians, not many Indian merchants came to set up business in first half of
19th though petty trades slowly showed up
Indians found their niche operating credit & accounting services, Chettiars were especially
successful, becoming major sources of financing for agriculturists in SEA
Indian community exploited British imperial trade network and soon dominated textile trade
By 1930s, Singapore Indian community well-established, Indian Chamber of Commerce set-up
1213SEM1
Tan Tock Seng was a Melaka-born Straits Chinese who made his fortune in Singapore through joint investments with
the British. What characteristics of the Straits Chinese made them a successful community in colonial Singapore? [25
marks]
Tin mining done by Malays who were reluctant to increase production to meet the rising demand
Chinese labourers went to Malaya following the founding of Pinang
1819
English merchant Peter Durand came up with tin cans, demand of tin exploded with American civil
war in 1860s
1869
1874
In order to protect their investments in the tin industry in Malaya, British signed an order with
Malay Sultans to establish first British resident for law and order
Peace and stability brought more investments and even more Chinese migration
1897
Henry Ridley found a way to tap rubber sap without hurting the trees
th
Early 20
Century
1905
Shipping industry developed to serve the new port-city , Colonial government assumed control and
development of the port to meet the increasing demand
Tanjong Pagar Dock Ordinance began converting into Singapore Harbour Board
1911
Rubber association started to handle the sale of rubber in Singapore, Singapore developed into
important player in the international rubber market
1912
Straits Trading Company became the largest tin-smelting company in the world
1924
Road link between Malaya and Singapore opened, serving the tin, rubber and oil from the Northern
hinterland
Colonial Singapore experienced early industrialisation as a result of the raw materials that
was coming from the North
Notes:
Industrialisation was not new to Singapore. Evidence of metal working dated from the 14th century was found on the
Singapore River bank. This meant that Temasek had already conducted tin-smelting as early as in the 14th century
Important Questions:
1011SEM2
What is a staple port? What factors led to the development of Singapore from an entrepot port to a staple port
during the 19th century? [25 marks]
Major events that took place in the different parts of the world contributed to Singapores success
Tin: Demand for tin in tin cans exploded due to the America Civil War (Global) Large scale Chinese immigration
swamped into Malaysia, increasing production (Local) Britishs interest in tin industry meant law and order,
bringing peace and stability, further increasing production (Local) tin smelting in Singapore was developed
Rubber: A new way to tap the rubber sap from trees without hurting them (Global) USs motor car industry
exploded, demand for rubber increased enormously (Global) rubber processing line developed in Singapore
Results
1819 1827
1843
1878
1921
1945 -
Important Questions:
Which is more important, balance of power or local defences?
1112SEM2
For Singapore, was being part of Britains Imperial defense strategy a benefit or a bane? Draw on two examples to
support your argument.
1112SEM1
To what extent has being militarily strategic shaped Singapores history from the 20th Century? [25 marks]
1011SEM1
Explain how Singapore was important to the defence of both the British Empire in the first half of the 20th century
and Southeast Asia during the Cold War. [25 marks]
Chapter 11 The British Grand Design, Local Politics and the Formation of Malaysia
1959
PAPs English educated members and Indian politicians appealed to workers and unions while Lee Chin Siongs
Chinese roots appealed to the China-born voters who had yet to shed their Chinese chauvinism. As such, PAP won
the election against Lim Yew Hocks Labour Front
Britain was unaware of LKYs agenda behind LKYs seemingly enigmatic choice of working with the
communist despite PAPs anti-communist ideology
Reasons for Merger
PAP
Economic:
- Create jobs for an increasing population
- In order to sustain declining economy,
needed Malaya as a hinterland and
Malayas consumer market to aid her
weakening entrepot
- Without merger, Singapore was unable to
rival neighbouring countries low
production cost and bigger market
Politics:
- Had to fulfil electoral promise of
delivering independence to Singapore
which could only be achieved through
merger
-
Malaya
Worries of Merger
-
Financial
Singapore wanted to collect all tax revenue
within the island and pay an agreed amount
to the central government
Malaya wanted all tax revenue to be
collected centrally and give Singapore what
they needed
Citizenship
Singapore was not comfortable with the
possibility of relegating to second class
citizens in Malaysia; citizenship rights were
not ironed out
Britain
Important Questions:
1213SEM1
In the period after World War II, there was a policy known as the British Grand Design. Explain how external
factors influenced Singapores path from being a colony to gaining independence from the British in 1963.
1011SEM2
In the period after World War II, how did external factors influence Singapores path from being a colony to gaining
independence from the British in 1963? [25 marks]
Chinese Cultural Revolution and the Cold War
Britain invested in Singapore to become their Far East base. They did not want infrastructure to fall into the hands of
the communist hence they pushed for merger.
Chapter 12 Separation
1954 1955
1959
May 1961
Number of Chinese riots and clashes including the Hock Lee Riots and Chinese students over the new
National Service Ordinance
PAP won election with help from Left-Wing radicals Lim Chin Siong and Feng Swee Suan
Singapore granted self-governance by the British
Tunku announced contemplation to bring Singapore, N Borneo, Brunei & Sarawak under Malaysia
Jul 1961
Aug 1961
Sep 1961
Broad agreements to the merger reached, working committees to be formed to iron out details of
merger before June 1963
Sep 1962
Feb 1963
Jul 1963
Final negotiations in London in search of compromise in financial arrangements & common market
Sep 1963
Nov 1964
First Malaysian Budget unveiled, DPM Goh calculated that Singapores taxpayers contributed 39.8%
of the budget even though it had 17% of the population of Malaysia
Singapore saw taxes on diesel oil and sugar
Jul 1964
Malay-Chinese race riots, Syed Jaafar Albar flamed LKY on different mediums
Apr 1964
PAP registered as a Malaysian political party to run against the UMNO-led alliance and won one seat,
threatening UMNOs political position
Feb 1965
Initial talks on disengaging Kuala Lumpar from Singapore was stopped by Britain
May 1965
In the inaugural Malaysian Solidarity Convention, LKY challenged UMNOs policies for solving Malays
poverty; argued for a Malaysian Malaysia where race does not play a part
Direct challenge to UMNO-led alliance that was split between racial lines
Jun 1965
Goh Keng Swee and Tun Razak held secret talks on separation without Britain knowing
Aug 1965
SEPARATION
After
1965
1967
Resumed industrialisation, welcoming FDI in Singapore that was restricted under Malaysia
Resumed Indonesian barter trade that was hindered by frosty Malaysia-Indonesian relations
Trade in traditional produce tin, rubber and rice gave way to trade in petroleum,
petroleum products, shipbuilding and services
Bank of China kept institutions in existence
Notes:
PAP proved that a multi-racial party was able to win communal votes if the party was competent and could deliver
the goods.
Why they separated:
Ideological differences: Meritocracy VS Racial-defined system
Respond / Results
-
Manufacturing
- Embraced colonial past and opened up to West
- Import-substitution manufacturing for domestic
market to manufacturing for Western market
- Education and training realigned to upgrade
economic productivity
- Business-friendly labour laws passed
Financial Sector
- Insurance, international banking corporations
encouraged to establish Asian base in Singapore
Shipping
- Improved port and shipping capabilities
Results
- By 1975, Singapore was the worlds 3rd busiest port
- GDP increased tremendously in early
independence
Important Questions:
In order to succeed, independent Singapore had to overcome her longue duree problems.
1011SEM1 - Who, when and for what reasons, decided to designate Raffles as the founder of Singapore? [25 marks]
Others
ln what way have global factors been important to the development of Singapore over the last 700 vears? [50 marks]
Singapores strategic location has always remained constant but yet its economic fortunes have often fluctuated.
Discuss.
At the heart of Singapores thriving economy lies a great port through which goods find their way to regional and
international markets. Is this an adequate explanation for Singapores history over the last 700 years? [50 marks]