History Source-based Question Practice Chapter 2

Source A

The Dutch trading activities in the East Indies in the 18^th Century CE

With a huge fleet of warships and a strong army, the Dutch were enforcing stricter rules about trade. They did not allow the British to trade freely in the Archipelago. British ships were not allowed to trade with any of the Dutch-controlled ports except Batavia (modern day Jakarta). The British traders were charged high fees for using the port facilities at Batavia and had to pay heavy taxes on goods which they sold or bought.

They sent officials and soldiers to occupy new areas controlled by local rulers who had been independent, or free from Dutch rule. British ships and traders were shut out from these areas. The Dutch wanted to keep British trade to the ports of Penang and Bencoolen. But Raffles knew that with only these two ports, the British could never break the monopoly of the Dutch.

Adapted from http://library.thinkquest.org/10414/founding.html

Read Source A. What information can you obtain from Source A about Anglo-Dutch relations in the 18th Century CE? Explain your answer.

Attempt this question and submit in written copy by 4 February 2009 to Mr Ang.