Hist flascards

What is inference?

Logical conclusions that cannot be biased or unfair (must be objective and must be derived from facts and evidence).

4 steps of history

Ask questions, gather sources, examine sources and form logical conclusions.

Why was early Singapore successful?

Singapore had strategic location so it could earn a lot of money (a trading port city), 1300-1800s Singapore received both Monsoon winds all year round so there were sailships all year round so there was more trading so more money.

3 steps of infering

Inference, evidence, explain (annotate to find clues and ask questions).

Controlling powers of southeast Asia in the past

Portugal, Netherlands, England.

Why did British set up port in sg?

Because Penang was too far north of the straits and bencoolen was not in the main maritime route so they needed a naturally suitable and strategic port which was Singapore. they also wanted to break Dutch monopoly and break their control of southeast Asia.

Why was Singapore naturally suitable?

Natural sheltered harbour and accessible drinking water.

Structure of answers

Follow PEEL, break down answers with one point in one sentence, don't run on, evidence and examples must also be clear.

Why British wanted to break Dutch monopoly

To earn money as British ships had to pass through Dutch ports and had to pay there.

Thinking and answering about sources

Understand question, recall and search for more info, contextualisation, close reading.

All evidence comes from source

Don't add in prior knowledge.

For inference don't copy from source

Use text to make more specific conclusions.

British POV for making port in SG

Unsuitability of existing ports, earn profits through breaking dutch monopoly and spice trade.

Singapore having free port status

Means no taxes, to attract traders to come to Singapore. It was good for traders but bad for EIC.

Why were the british interested in Southeast Asia?

1. Lucrative trade oppotunities, particularly China trade 2. EIC exported goods like cotton and opium from India to China, while importing tea, silk and porcelain back to Britain 3. Profits from selling opium to China significantly boosted British interest in region 4. British sought to access Straits produce, such as tin and gold. which was high in demand 5. establishing ports allowed British to trade efficiently and profitably without incurring high taxes and fees

Impact of dutch monopoly on British trade

1. VOC held monopoly over spice trade, controls key trade routes

2. restricted British traders to trade in Batavia and faced taxes and fees

3. British compelled to seek other port to have more involvement in Southeast Asia to not pay taxes

4. Motivated British to set ports to gain foothold in spice trade

5. spurred British expansion to secure direct access to resources

Why set port in SG?

1. Strategic location, crucial for China trade

2. convenient stopover for ships

3. allow spice trade

4. sheltered harbour and accessible drinking water

5. made SG vital link in British trading network

Spice trade

1. High valued because of medicinal and preservative food

2. creates profit

3. bypass Dutch control

4. increase competition with dutch

5. shape colonial ambition

Benefit of strategic location

1. essential stop

2. in main route of trading

3. stopover

4. collective centre for goods

Why need port?

1. trade with China

2. allow ships to resupply and rest

3. find location free from Dutch to make money

4. has access to local goods

5. economic interest and more influence in region

Importance of SG harbour

1. was deep and well shektered, safe anchorage

2. ensure safety of ships docked there while waiting for monsoon

3. protect ships from weather

4. strategic location

Monsoon winds

1. determine sail route

2. SW monsoon winds brought traders from indian ocean, NE monsoon brought them home

3. allows predictable trading schedule, more effieciency

4. made SG trading hub

Logical chain of effects for law and order

police force, chinese protectorate eg. → law and order → secure, safeguard peace → attract traders to come to trade → economic growth

Initiatives by British government (policies)

1. Free trade → economic growth

2. Police force → solve social ills like gambling, use of opium, secret societies etc.

How free port status contributed to growth as a major trading hub

1. allowed traders to operate without paying taxes on goods, attracting diverse range of traders

2. lead to increase of volume of traders

3. geographical location of Singapore facilitate transshipment

4. entrepot trade model allowed goods to be repackaged and exported to different regions

5. singapore’s trade tripled, establishing key port in British empire

impact of admin reforms

1. police force introduced for law and order for safer trade

2. stable admin allowed consistent trade practices

3. legislative council included non-official members wo represent traders for better social conditions and trading facilities

4. more peaceful environment so more economic growth

5. laid groundwork for Singapore’s future development

Challenges maintaining law and order

1. rapid population growth made challenge

2. influx of migrants increased crime rate

3. small police force was insufficient

4. Francis James Bernard was not good due to his other duties

5. lack of resources and manpower made it difficult for law and order

Thomas Dunman’s impact

1. appointed as deputy superintendent and became full-time commissioner

2. respected by european officials and chinese community

3. hands-on often works at night to directly address crime

4. improved police’s morale and working conditions and higher wages to attract recruit

5. led to reduction of crime rate and more effectiveness

Police training school

1. professionalised police force

2. ensure officers received training, improve skills and efficiency

3. detective force allowed specialised crime investigation

4. technology enhanced communication and efficiency

5. improve law enforcement capabilities

Entrepot trade increases SG economic growth

1. allowed SG to act as middle man as goods were reexported

2. attracted traders everywhere, increased volume of goods traded

3. geographical location of sg facilitated easy access for ships

4. economic benefits contributed to Sg’s economic growth

5. SG became one of most important port because of entrepot trade

impact of legislative council

1. made up of non-official members who represented local traders and interests

2. allowed laws directly affecting local population and improve social conditions

3. provided platform for local voices to be heard

4. more stable admin, crucial for trade

5. played significant role in shaping local governance and policies

Making comparison between sources

1. understand the question

2. understand criterion for comparison

3. make inferences from each source

4. match inferences using criterion of comparison