Homework for Chapter 4

Source-based Question (Comparison)

Attempt the question and submit your work to Mr Ang on Friday 17 April 2009.

Source A

A historian account of Chinese secret societies during the early 1800s

The town was unsafe. In the early 1800s, the main danger came from gang robberies, which were reputed to be the work of Chinese secret societies. Gangs of up to 200 Chinese with blackened faces raided parts of the town every night. The whole town lived in fear, and the tiny police force prudently kept out of the way until the gangsters had gone.

Adapted from A history of Singapore 1819 – 1988 (2^nd Edition) by Mary Turnbull, 1989

Source B

An account of Chinese secret societies by Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, governor of the Straits Settlements 1887 -1893

Secret societies were never able to reconstruct the large organizations or recover the widespread power which they wielded before 1890. Gang fights remain frequent but the day of large scale secret society riots which paralyzed Singapore was over. “You will be glad to know that the policy (of registration) has been quite successful. I have made careful inquiry since I came back, and am quite satisfied that there has been no attempt at resuscitation, and that the dangerous societies are entirely blotted out. Of course a careful watch must be maintained. May this cheering view prove exact!”

Adapted from a letter from Sir C. C. Smith, dated December 29, 1890

Compare Sources A and B. How different are the sources on their account of Chinese secret societies as lawless and fearful? Explain your answer. (6m)