Chapter 3Chapter 3Immigrants and their role Immigrants and their role in developing Singaporein developing Singapore

Who were the immigrants?Who were the immigrants?

People of different races from different parts of the People of different races from different parts of the world who came immediately after Raffles founded world who came immediately after Raffles founded Singapore.Singapore.

Population swelled:Population swelled: 1819 – a few hundreds of pirates and Orang Laut1819 – a few hundreds of pirates and Orang Laut 1824 – 10,6831824 – 10,683 1891 – 181, 6021891 – 181, 602

By 1840, the Chinese outnumbered the Malays.By 1840, the Chinese outnumbered the Malays. The first people who came were the Malays and the The first people who came were the Malays and the

Chinese from Malacca.Chinese from Malacca.

Why did they comeWhy did they come

Push factorsPush factors Lack of jobs in Lack of jobs in

homeland.homeland. Natural disasters.Natural disasters. Unrest in home Unrest in home

country.country. FamineFamine PovertyPoverty

Pull factorsPull factors Absence of restriction on Absence of restriction on

immigrants.immigrants. Availability of jobs.Availability of jobs. Business opportunities.Business opportunities. Free port Free port Security provided by the Security provided by the

British government.British government.

Where did they come from?Where did they come from? Arabia – the Arabs who were mainly traders.Arabia – the Arabs who were mainly traders. Europe – mainly the British, Dutch and the Portugese.Europe – mainly the British, Dutch and the Portugese. India – Tamils, Malayalees, Gujaratis, Sindhees and India – Tamils, Malayalees, Gujaratis, Sindhees and

Parsees. Some were labourers and convicts, others were Parsees. Some were labourers and convicts, others were laundrymen, milkmen, moneylenders and money changers.laundrymen, milkmen, moneylenders and money changers.

Sri Lanka – Tamil and Sinhalese.Sri Lanka – Tamil and Sinhalese. China – Mainly from Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan China – Mainly from Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan

Island.Island. Malacca and Penang – Peranakans (Straits-born Chinese).Malacca and Penang – Peranakans (Straits-born Chinese). Malay Archipelago – Malays, Javanese, Boyanese and Malay Archipelago – Malays, Javanese, Boyanese and

Bugis.Bugis.

Factors that led to growth of tradeFactors that led to growth of trade

Political future assured by Anglo-Dutch Treaty Political future assured by Anglo-Dutch Treaty which recognised Singapore as a British which recognised Singapore as a British possession.possession.

Free port – No import and export charges and Free port – No import and export charges and port duties.port duties.

Its strategic location meant that it could attract Its strategic location meant that it could attract traders from the east and west.traders from the east and west.

Private enterprise was encouraged and there Private enterprise was encouraged and there were no monopolies. were no monopolies.

How trade was carried out?How trade was carried out? Europeans established trading companies and agency Europeans established trading companies and agency

houses.houses. They bought and sold goods through Chinese They bought and sold goods through Chinese

middlemen, usually Straits-born Chinese who were middlemen, usually Straits-born Chinese who were conversant in English and the local languages.conversant in English and the local languages.

Goods sold include:Goods sold include: Cotton, woolen cotton, steel and glassware (from Europe)Cotton, woolen cotton, steel and glassware (from Europe) Tea, silk, preserved foodstuff and household ware (China)Tea, silk, preserved foodstuff and household ware (China) Elephant tusks, sugar, rice, rhinceros horns and buffalo Elephant tusks, sugar, rice, rhinceros horns and buffalo

skin ( SEAsia, Thailand and Indochina)skin ( SEAsia, Thailand and Indochina) Pepper, bird’s nests, sago and camphor (Malay Pepper, bird’s nests, sago and camphor (Malay

Archipelago) Archipelago)

Read more about it!Read more about it! Raffles’ Town PlanRaffles’ Town Plan

Which means……Which means……

Point to ponderPoint to ponder

‘‘To a large extent, Raffles was To a large extent, Raffles was racist when he came up with the racist when he came up with the Raffles’ Town Plan.’ Do you Raffles’ Town Plan.’ Do you agree? Explain your answer.agree? Explain your answer.

The EndThe End