SAQ Sample Answer as discussed in class

Elaborate how the invention of steamships and the opening of the Suez Canal helped Singapore prosper in the 1800s. (5m)

Level 1 – Describe the invention of steamships and opening of Suez Canal (1-2m)

Due to the industrial revolution, steamships were invented. With the use of steamships, traders from London took a shorter time to travel to other countries like Singapore. And with shorter time, the use of steamships made trading more popular and efficient. (1)

n addition, the opening of the Suez canal shortened the distance between London and Singapore. Traders took about 76 days to travel between the two places. Hence this implies that the shortened resulted in more trade. (2)

Level 2 – Explain HOW invention of steamships and opening of Suez canal helped Singapore prosper (separately) (3-4m)

Due to the industrial revolution, steamships were invented. With the use of steamships, traders from London took a shorter time to travel to other countries like Singapore. And with shorter time, the use of steamships made trading more popular and efficient. This meant that more traders would stopover at Singapore using it as a port-of-call. With the numbers, more trade was brought into the country resulting in more business and hence the growth in wealth. (3)

In addition, the opening of the Suez canal shortened the distance between London and Singapore. Traders took about 76 days to travel between the two places. Hence this implies that the shortened resulted in more trade. With more traders coming, the variety of goods increased and thus this attracted more traders to flock to Singapore where the locals benefited from increased trading activity. Hence Singapore’s wealth increased. (4)

Level 3 – Explain HOW invention of steamships complement the opening of the Suez Canal in Singapore’s prosperity. (5m)

Ships going by suez canal faced the NS winds, this forced traders to use steamships instead of sailing vessels. Using of steamships required replenishment of coal and going by the suez canal, traders would naturally use the straits of Melaka which indirectly forced them to use Singapore as a coaling station.

Finally explain how these would benefit Singapore. (DIY)