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.