History Test 3 Correction 5 May 2009

Source-based Question

a) Study Source A. What does this source reveal about how the Malays were treated? Explain your answer. (4m)

Level 1 Lifting without inference and explanation (1m)

Level 2 Inference supported but unexplained (2-3m)

Level 3 Inference supported and explained relevant to question focus (4m)

Suggested Answer:

Source A shows that the Malay language was restricted to simple reading and religious teaching (EVIDENCE). This suggests that the education given to them was not adequate to raise their academic level (INFERENCE). Hence they were not given opportunities to upgrade themselves to meet the needs of the country and they were probably unfairly treated (EXPLANATION)

In addition Source A shows that the education given to the Malays was geared towards their agricultural pursuits and not for the development of the country (EVIDENCE). This implies that they were not considered as important to the future of the country (INFERENCE) and thus shows that they were not treated with equal rights and opportunities (EXPLANATION).

b) Study Sources B and C. How similar are the sources in depicting the role of the British in Singapore? Explain your answer. (6m)

L1: Similarity OR/AND difference in source type/ source provenance (1-2m)

L2: Similarity OR/AND difference in source content, unsupported (2-3m)

L3: Similarity OR/AND difference in source content, supported (3-5m)

L4: Similarity AND difference in content, tone and purpose supported with reference to contextual knowledge (5-6m)

Suggested Answer:

Sources A and B are similar in showing the role of the British in Singapore. Source A shows that the British took over control of the sale of opium to end crimes. This suggests that the British were making an effort to curb the problem of widespread illegal sale of opium. Hence the role of the British was to ensure that law and order was maintained in the country. Similarly, Source B shows that the British expanded the police force to four thousand men. This implies that they were strengthening the measure to enforce law and order and hence the British role was to ensure that there was safety for the people.

In addition, Source A shows that worldwide pressure was building against the British legal drug dealing. This suggests that the British was not doing enough to rid Singapore of the problem and hence shows that the British was negligent as administrators of Singapore. Similarly, Source B shows that the Asian population demanded that the British address the problems of law and order. This implies that the British had not been doing enough to provide security and thus shows that they were not effective as administrators.

Sources A and B are different. Source A shows that the British were less than eager to give up the government revenue. This implies that the British were more concerned with their own profits and interests than the welfare of the people. Hence it shows that the British were not doing enough for the country as governors. In contrast, Source B shows that that numerous police stations were set up across the island due to increasing demand by the Asian population. This suggests that the British were quick to act on the problems so as to provide timely solution. Hence it shows that they were fulfilling their role as administrators of the country.

Both sources seem to highlight a viewpoint/purpose which is to educate and inform us of the role of the British in ensuring law and order. This is to highlight the historian’s perspective of those living in Singapore in the early years of British administration. Both sources are factual accounts of the British actions in resolving social problems.

The sources support my understanding of the problems encountered by the people of early Singapore as a result of opium trading. This trade was welcomed by both the rich and the poor and the British were reluctant to deal with the problems till the overwhelming cry from the population and international community.

Short-answer Question

1) Explain how successful the Chinese Protectorate was in resolving the problems of the Chinese immigrant community. (5m)

Level 1 State the problems of the Chinese immigrant community or the role of the Chinese Protectorate (1m)

Level 2 Describe problems of the Chinese and measures by the Chinese Protectorate (2m)

Level 3 Explain successes or weaknesses of the Chinese Protectorate (3-4m)

Level 4 Explain successes and weaknesses of the Chinese Protectorate (5m)

Expected answer:

With the coming of the Chinese immigrants, Singapore experienced economic prosperity. However, these immigrants brought with them social problems.

Firstly, the immigrants organized themselves into secret societies which took part in gang fights, robbery and murder. These societies also ran opium houses, brothels and gambling dens. These activities threatened the peace and stability of the settlement and endangered its status as a trading port.

Secondly, many of these immigrants were tricked by the coolie-agents. As many of them were contract labourers, they have to work for a long time to pay off their debts. Very often, they were ill-treated and abused by their employers or coolie-agents. In addition, the living conditions onboard the ships and in the holding houses was deplorable and not fit for humans. Women were also tricked into prostitution.

To address these problems, the Chinese Protectorate was set up in 1877 with William Pickering as the First Protector of the Chinese. To reduce the number of fights and disorder among the Chinese, all Chinese societies had to register with the Chinese Protectorate. William Pickering also befriended the leaders of the Chinese communities and societies and got them to settle their differences with the Chinese Protectorate as a middleman. This greatly weakened the power of the society leaders and reduced the number of fights in society. The CP was largely successful in this measure as William Pickering was able to converse in their dialects and won the trust of these leaders.

In addition, the Chinese Protectorate controlled the coolie trade by registering the coolie agents and lodging houses. Officers were sent to inspect the ships as well as the houses to ensure that living conditions were suitable and that the coolies were treated fairly. By doing so, William Pickering bridged the gap between the Chinese community and the government. Hence the Chinese Protectorate was very successful in alleviating the burden of the coolies and eradicating the abuses of this trade.

The Chinese Protectorate set up a department known as the Po Leung Kuk (Protect Virtue Office) to look into the abuses of young girl who were sold into prostitution. Many of them were rescued and were given training in certain skills so as to enable them to find jobs as servants. Many were also sent home by the CP. The Chinese Protectorate was quite successful as many of these helpless young girls became aware of the existence of a department where they could seek redress.

However, thought the power of the secret societies and crimes were largely reduced, occasional fights continued to break out and abuses of the coolies and women still existed as the coolie-agents managed to find ways around the Chinese Protectorate initiatives. Many coolies were shipped off immediately up on arrival and hence the CP were not able to track the numbers of immigrants. In addition, many women were still ignorant of the CP and hence did not come forward to seek help.

Though there were limitations to what the CP had done, it is clear that the CP was largely successful in eradicating the abuses of both the coolies and the women. Secret Societies also lost a large part of their influence due to the active intervention of the CP.

Chapter 5 How did external events before WW1 affect Singapore (Lesson PPT Slides)

SAQ Sample Answer and Guide

To what extent was the British Government successful in improving the welfare of the people in Singapore in the 19th Century CE? Explain your answer. (5m)

Sample Answer:

Level 1 Listing British Government’s measures to improve social services (1m)

The British Government improved the Police Force, set up Chinese Protectorate, schools and hospitals.

Level 2 Describe measures implemented by the British to improve welfare of people (2m)

The British government improved the police force by recruiting more officers who could speak Chinese. These officers were also given better pay and proper training. Thomas Dunman was made full time police chief in 1846 and he took an interest in the welfare of his police officers.

In addition the British government also set up the Chinese Protectorate to look into the abuses of the coolie trade and to protect the sinkehs. Officials ensured that the sinkehs were not ill-treated by the coolie-agents and employers. Contracts between coolies and employers were registered to prevent abuses.

Lastly, the British also set up schools to provide education for the people so as to fill up government posts. Hospitals were set up to provide medical services to the masses.

Level 3 Explain measures with reference to success of improving welfare of the people (3-4m)

The British government was successful in improving the welfare of the people in early Singapore. Due to the problems created by the Chinese secret societies, the people lived in fear and anxiety. To solve the problem, the British government improved the police force by giving its officers proper training and better pay. It also employed capable officials who could speak the local dialects so that they could resolve conflicts among the locals easily. Hence law and order improved and the people could go about their livelihood without much worry about their safety.

The British also set up the Chinese Protectorate to look into the abuses of the coolie trade as well as regulate the activities of the Chinese secret societies. The officials of the Chinese Protectorate ensured that the sinkehs were protected. They achieved this by ensuring that the coolie-agents and employers honoured the work contracts through registration. In addition, they also rescued coolies who were sent to work in neighbouring countries against their will. Regular inspection was made to ensure that the coolies were not ill-treated and that their living conditions were acceptable. Other measures included preventing girls from being forced into prostitution and also rescuing girls from brothels. The efforts of the Chinese Protectorate were successful in addressing some of the abuses of the coolie trade.

In addition, the British government also stepped up its efforts to provide for social services like education and health. Schools were set up to provide education for locals so that they could fill up posts in the government offices and trading companies. This provided the people with a means of living and hence their welfare improved. Health care was also given to the people when the government set up the Public Health Department. This measure was taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases which would greatly affect the economic prosperity of Singapore. As such, the people’s welfare improved.

Level 4 Explain measures with reference to success and limitations of the efforts by the British Government (5m)

Level 3 answer plus:

While the British government did improve the social services for the people, much was done in order to meet their own objectives. In the area of law and order, the British Government improved the police force and set up the Chinese Protectorate to see to the problems created by the Chinese community. However, this was done mainly because the British felt that the problems created the Chinese were detrimental to the economic health of the settlement. They did so probably to ensure that their trading interests was protected and not disrupted by these problems.

In addition, the structure of the British Government was made up primarily of British officials. There were very few Asian representatives in the Legislative Council and as such it was very difficult for these Asian to effectively bring about improvements to the masses. Also, it was not until 1924 that the number of non-official members was increased and equaled to the official members of the council. This suggests that the British Government was not really concerned about improving the welfare of the people but more to safeguard their own trading interests.

More importantly, the British were seen to be the Colonial masters. In the government service, Asians who were more qualified were not given the opportunities to hold senior positions and were also paid lower than their British counterparts. Social discrimination was also practiced where Asians were discouraged from traveling in first-class carriages and they were not allowed to use the dance floor or bar reserved solely for the Europeans. These discriminatory practices did not augur well with the locals and thus the rift between masters and ‘servants’ grew wider.

Hence, the British may be successful in improving certain aspects of the welfare of the people through its measures but they were not very successful in raising the level of happiness and loyalty of the people. This would affect the welfare of the people as they felt that they were being discriminated against.