Chapter 4 – People and the Development of Singapore as a Port City (1819-1942)

These flashcards review key push-pull factors, migrant groups, occupations, notable individuals, and community contributions that shaped Singapore’s rise as a port city from 1819-1942.

What was Singapore’s approximate population in 1819, before it became a free port?

About 150 people.

What overall trend did Singapore’s population show between 1824 and 1901?

A rapid increase, rising from about 11,000 in 1824 to roughly 227,000 by 1901.

Define a migrant in the context of 19th-century Singapore.

A person who moved from one place to another, especially to seek work or better living conditions in Singapore.

Give two major PUSH factors that drove people to leave their homelands for Singapore.

1) Poverty & starvation 2) Unrest & instability (wars, rebellions, lawlessness).

Name one famine that pushed many Indians to migrate to Singapore in the late 19th century.

The Great Famine of 1876-1878, during which about 8.2 million people died.

Which 1825-1830 conflict in Java caused widespread disruption and encouraged Javanese migration?

The Java War against Dutch colonial rule (1825-1830).

List three PULL factors that attracted migrants to Singapore after 1819.

1) Excellent geographical location on key trade routes 2) Free-port status (no customs duties) 3) Free immigration policy and plentiful jobs.

Why did Singapore’s geographical location appeal to international traders?

It sat midway on the shipping route linking Britain, India and South China along the Strait of Malacca, making it a convenient refuelling and exchange hub.

How did Singapore’s status as a free port differ from many Dutch-controlled ports?

Traders in Singapore paid no customs duties or taxes, whereas Dutch ports levied such fees, making Singapore cheaper and more profitable for trade.

What policy allowed migrants to enter and leave Singapore easily without papers or fees?

The free immigration policy.

Give two examples of port-related jobs that drew poorer migrants to Singapore.

Loading/unloading cargo, refuelling and restocking ships, road and building construction, rickshaw or carriage pulling.

Why were wages in Singapore attractive to many poorer migrants?

They were often higher than what migrants could earn in their homelands, enabling them to save money quickly.

Which type of British commercial firms acted as middlemen selling British goods and exporting Asian products?

British agency houses.

Name the founder of Boustead & Co., a leading 19th-century agency house in Singapore.

Edward Boustead.

Mention one well-known global brand whose products were distributed by Boustead & Co.

Examples include Cadbury’s, Nestlé, or Procter & Gamble.

Which Peranakan trader helped bridge British and Asian merchants through translation services?

Tan Kim Seng.

Which South Asian pioneer set up Singapore’s first brick kiln and contributed to Hindu temple building?

Naraina Pillai.

Name the Arab family whose members Syed Omar bin Ali Aljunied and Syed Mohammed bin Harun Aljunied were influential traders and philanthropists.

The Aljunied family.

Who were the Alkaff brothers and what sector did they dominate?

They were Hadhrami Arab traders who became leading rice merchants and landowners in Singapore.

What term was commonly used for Chinese male manual labourers working in ports, construction and plantations?

Coolies.

Who were the Samsui women and what work did they mainly perform?

Chinese female migrants who worked in construction, carrying earth and bricks, and helped build roads and buildings.

Which group of labourers from India contributed to public works while serving sentences in Singapore?

Convict labourers.

What type of small-scale merchants provided cheap meals and basic services to coolies on the streets?

Street traders or hawkers.

Give one example of how migrants contributed to EDUCATION in colonial Singapore.

They established community schools such as those founded by missionaries, clan associations, or women’s organisations that opened education to girls.

Which Chinese philanthropist co-founded the Thong Chai Medical Institution to offer free treatment to the poor?

Gan Eng Seng.

Which wealthy merchant donated funds for a hospital that now bears his name and remains one of Singapore’s oldest healthcare institutions?

Tan Tock Seng.

How did Syed Omar bin Ali Aljunied help improve healthcare in Singapore?

He donated land and funds for the first Muslim cemetery and contributed to hospitals and charitable causes.

What was the Legislative Council, and why was it significant to locals?

The colonial law-making body; gaining seats allowed local leaders to influence legislation affecting their communities.

Which Malay leader successfully proposed the establishment of Kampong Melayu (later Kampong Eunos)?

Eunos Abdullah.

What social problem did Dr Lim Boon Keng campaign to ban, though his proposal was rejected by the Council?

Opium consumption and trade.

By 1924, what change occurred in the composition of the Legislative Council?

The number of non-official (mostly local) members was increased to equal the number of official (government) members.

Despite increased local participation, why did true political equality remain limited under British rule?

Britain retained high-ranking posts for Europeans, and Asians, though qualified, were excluded from top colonial positions.

Summarise the main way migrants collectively helped develop Singapore into a leading port city between 1819 and 1942.

Through trade, labour and entrepreneurship, migrants expanded commerce, built infrastructure, provided services, and established community institutions that supported Singapore’s growth as a major free-port and trading hub.