Chapter 2 In the Beginning The Lion City

2 different recounts of the birth of Singapore

Who / Year

How it started

Sejarah
Melayu

Seri Teri
Buana,
Prince of
Palembang /
1299

Portugue
se
recounts

Parameswar
a, Prince of
Palembang /
1392

Decided to stay
after he saw the
merlion and
renamed Temasek
as Singapura
Fled Majapahit
forces despatched
to crush the
rebellion he
staged

When the reign

ended

Why he left

After 5
generations /
1396

Last king, Iskandar Shah

betrayed by his official
who opened the gates for
invading Javanese forces

After 4 years /
1396

Assassinated host who

welcomed him. Fled the
ensuing Thai forces set to
avenge for the dead ruler

Important Questions:
Instead of arguing the authenticity of either accounts, it is more important to understand why
they have come to be written the way they have been written i.e. Social Memory VS History
Seri Teri Buanas renaming the island to Singapura was less because he sighted a lion but
more to assert that this was where he intended to re-establish the lion-throne, the seat he
and his consort sat on for rituals in Palembang. Fort Canning also served as an ideal symbolic
representation to relocate his lion-throne. Hence, Singapura was a major chapter in the
transmission of the divine genealogy from Palembang to Singapura to Melaka and finally to
Johor.
For Parameswara, Singapura was important as it was his refuge from the avenging Majapahit
forces.
Ultimately, courses of events forced both Seri Teri Buanas descendents and Parameswara to
decamp Singapura and seek a new location to rebuild their vision of establishing a new
emporium that would continue the legacy of Srivijaya.
This foundational myth would be used by Sultan Madmuds descendents in 1511 where they
attempt to re-establish the glory of Melaka and Srivijaya. In 1819, Tengku Hussein would also
hope to inherit the legacy of Melaka and Srivijaya with this tale.

Chapter 3 The Lure of the Chinese Market

Year
990

14th Temasek

1079

Region

Malayu at Jambi became

premier emporium in the
Melaka Straits
From small volume, high
value exotic goods to large
volume, low value mundane
goods

1087
1090
1127

1275

Temasek one of many ports

in the region that emerged
to serve Chinese traders

Srivijaya loses chief

enterpot port position

According to Daoyi Zhilue,

Temasek specialised in
hornbill, lakawood and
cotton. Temasek served as a
trading hub for a regional
hinterland

Jambi, capital of
Srivijaya, sacked by
invasion forces. Portsettlements
mushroomed along
Melaka Straits

1279

Chinese vessels
permitted to go on
overseas voyages
Expansion of
maritime trade and
growth of coastal
cities under Soong
Dynasty

Yuan Dynasty
encourages
maritime trade

1299

Seri Teri Buana arrives

1330
s

Wang Dayuan arrives in

Singapore and records a
Thai invasion that was
thwarted by a Chinese
mission
Temasek ceded to Melaka in
return for annual fixed
payment of gold. Temaseks
existence as autonomous
port-settlement came to an
end

1368

China
lifted ban though
trade still highly
controlled

Prince from Palembang

secured sole rights to
conduct trade with Ming
court, Melaka became the
key port of call

Zhu Yuanzhang
overthrows Yuan
Dynasty and
reinstates trade ban

Important Notes:
Temaseks ability to function as a port that offered several select products to the Asian market
was not due entirely to the richness in Singapores natural resources. While a portion of the
hornbill casques and lakawood could be harvested from the island, it is likely that most of
these products were obtained from surrounding area which were rich sources of foreign
products.
Temasek also functioned as a collection centre and export getaway for products obtained from
the immediate area. As the only port located at the southern end of the Melaka Straits,
Termasek appears to have functioned as the collection centre and export getaway of south
Johor and the Riau Archipelago. Archaeological evidence confirms this close economic ties
between the two nations.
Important Questions:
Globalization?

Chapter 4 Reconstructing the Lion City

2 settlement areas in 14th-century Temasek
Fort Canning Hill
Where
Who
inhabite
d
What is
it used
for

Royal family, ruling family

Centre of ritual and political activities in

Temasek
-

How did
it
looked
like

Evidenc
e

Main settlement Area

North Bank of the Singapore River

Artisan Quarters
Lower east slope of hill is the
artisan and servants quarters;
high concentration of glass
fragments, beads, ceramic
moulds suggest glass- and
jewellery-making
- Religious site
Higher up east slope, lies remains
of a building foundation of
religious significance; nonperishable materials were used
for the construction
- Royal abode
On the northern slope near the
summit of the hill was an
impressive terrace site likely used
to house the ruling family
- Restricted Space
Royal garden and palace on the
hills eastern and northern slope
were inaccessible to commoners
due to salt marches to the west
and forest up north
- Boundaries / Defence
The royal residency is likely to
have a perimeter defence and
there is likely to have spatial
demarcation to mark out the
functions of the spaces
This form of religious architecture was
fairly common throughout island
Southeast Asia in the classical period
Archaeologists unearthed rare and
valuable Chinese ceramics; flexible gold
armlets of Javanese-inspired designs
near Fort Canning site

Location of main settlements and

economic activities of Temasek
Archaeological findings in new
Parliament House, Empress Place,
Colombo Court Site, Singapore Cricket
Club and St. Andrews Cathedral
revealed:
- Earthenware
Water containers and cooking
pots were mostly made in
Singapore.
- Coarse Stoneware Ceramics
Storage jars and bottles were
entirely imported from aboard.
Most likely used to store foodstuff
or other smaller ceramic pieces
to be carried around
- Fine Stoneware and Porcelain
Ceramics were product of kilns in
Guangdong and Fujian. Yuan
period blue and white porcelain
were also recovered
- Metal Finds
Copper coins minted during Song
period with several minted in
Yuan. No coins post-date Yuan.
Yuan used paper currency
extensively and in Ming,
Singapore was no longer an
autonomous port
-

Occurrence of iron and copper

finds only at New Parliament
House site suggests metal
smelting and working
concentrated there
Large quantities of storage jar
shards from Empress Place and
Old Parliament House suggest
unloading of trade goods off
ships and location of storage
facilities
Higher concentration of copper
coins at New Parliament House,
Singapore Cricket club and St.
Andrews Cathedral suggests

trade conducted further inland,

away from the harbour and
warehouses
Important Questions:

Chapter 5 Singapura: Outpost of the Melaka and Johor Kingdom

140
2
151
1
152
8
153
0

Singapura
Singapura comes under Melaka Sultanate. Acts
as the home base of the Orang Laut, warriors of
the Melaka sultans

Region
Parameswara establishes
Kingdom of Melaka
Melaka falls to the Portuguese

Orang Laut chief defends Singapura against

Portuguese attacks

Last sultan of Melaka establishes

Johor Sultanate up the Johor River
Series of Portuguese attacks on
Johor Sultanate

Chapter 6 Contesting the Waters around Singapore

Context:
Straits of Melaka and Sunda Straits the only two channels connecting the South China Sea to
the Indian Ocean.
Control of the waters around Singapore would have accorded control, security & economic
benefits to the power that was able to project that strategic capability.
Build-up:
As early as 1620s, Ming had the detailed recorded navigational know-how through the Keppel
Straits
1568
Late
16th
Early
17th

Portuguese
New passage way around Singapore was
discovered
Set up a base at Melaka

Dutch

New passageway through waters of Singapore was public knowledge. Everyone

that had a vested interest in ensuring that they establish & maintain strategic
control over the passages that traversed this area contested for the region
Portugal
Dutch / VOC
Aceh
Johor Sultanate
Portugal ally
Local rivalry between Aceh and Johor
herself with
Sultanate. Aceh wanted to overtake
Aceh in early
Johor & establish herself as the
th
16 century
dominant port-polity in Melaka Straits.
Aceh launched a series of attacks on
the Johor Sultanate
VOC allies with Johor as it was
at war with Portugal in the
Eighty-year war
Seized Santa Catarina which
brought riches to the seizers
Both wanted a fort in Singapore for different
reasons
Portugal for security over her trading ships;
Dutch for a base to mount raids on Portuguese
ships
Unhappy with
Sceptical of idea of
peace treaty,
Dutch military
attacked Batu
presence in Meleka
Sawar (Johor) in
Signed peace
1613, captured
treaty with Portugal
VOC agents
After 1614 attack, Dutch
revived plans for a fort in
Singapore, BUT
Preferred Sunda over Melaka
after 1614 attack exposed
Singapores vulnerability
Dutch control over Sunda &
NW Java was more secure
Increased focus on Batavia
(Jakarta)
Focus on
Continuous hostilities
Japan
against Portugal
Japan
undermined her presence
closed off in
in SEA

1639
Dutch captured Melaka
1667, cut Portugal empire in
SEA
Aftermath
Southward shift of strategic maritime link: Sunda and Java became strategic because the
Dutch was in control of the waters of the region. They dictated the trade through the region
and it drove Singapore into oblivion for 200 years
After 4-way tussle, there was a realization by all powers that fortifications and permanent
naval presence was crucial for ensuring the safety of their mercantile shipping and economic
interests in the region. Trade VS Defence

1213SEM1
In 1603, with the help of the Johor Sultanate, the Dutch attacked the Portuguese vessel, Santa
Catarina, as it was entering the waters off Singapore. With this the Portuguese lost a vast
fortune and it was a great victory for the Dutch. Imagine you are an advisor to the Johor
Sultan; give an assessment of this event in terms of the power struggle taking place for the
waters around Singapore. [25 marks]
1112SEM2
Two historians are debating Singapores history of the 1600s. One scholar exclaims, It was a
golden age because Singapura was so hotly contested by European and local powers!
Meanwhile, the other scholar retorts, NO! It was a black hole for Singapores history! Nothing
happened on the island! How would you mediate this dispute?
1112SEM1
Imagine you are an agent for either the Portuguese Crown OR the VOC (Dutch East India
Company) travelling through Southeast Asia in the 1600s. Write a report to your superiors
giving a review of your allies and rivals in the Melaka Straits region. Include your assessment
of Singapura as a trading centre. [25 marks]
1011SEM2
Explain how Singapore during the 15th-18th centuries was strategic to (a) the Johor kingdom
and (b) the Portuguese and the Dutch. [25 marks]

Chapter 7 Raffles and the Establishment of an East India Company Station on

Singapore
Events leading to Singapores colonization:
Event
Britain took over Dutch territories in Java & Melaka after Dutch loss to France in
the war in Europe
1818

Raffles assigned to Sumartra as Lieutenant-Governor

28 Jan
1819

Raffles anchored off St Johns Island

6 Feb
1819

Treaty that gave British rights to set up a factory in exchange for money to
Tengku Husain and Temenggong was signed

June 1819
Oct 1822
1 June
1824
2 Aug
1824
Raffles

Raffles signed further agreements with Tengku Husain and Temenggong that
regularise the administration of the settlement, limiting their influence on
Singapore
Crawfurd stopped all payments to Husain by alleging that agreements to pay
Husain was not legitimate and Husain in return owed the East India Company
money. In order to repay the debts, Crawfurd wanted Husain to sign a new
treaty that gave up Husains power in the island
New treaty signed

Felt that Britain should not have returned Dutch territories after the war
in Europe, saw the Dutch as allies in Europe but enemies in Asia
- Saw the need to fend off the threat posed by the Dutch to the East India
Company in their Asian trade and wanted to establish a British port in
Southeast Asia to combat Dutch presence in the region
- Was the catalyst for establishment of a British port in Singapore
Britain /
- Initially unwilling to compromise relations with Dutch who were allies in
East India
war against France
- Ultimately set up port to bolster defence for transoceanic route to
Company
archipelago and China
Chinese
- Was attracted to Singapores free trade as a more congenial port of trade
Traders
than those of Dutch or other Sultans
- Kept Singapore going although Bengal administration was unwilling to
bear the cost of running Singapore
Tengku
- Husain was last legitimate successor to the throne. When his father died,
Husain /
he was in Pahang for his wedding, Bugis forces exploited this and made
Temenggo
his younger brother Sultan
- Needed the treaty that recognized himself as the sultan which he lost to
ng
his brother
- Made it possible for Raffles to justify his establishment of a British
settlement in Singapore
Players leading to the establishment of colonial Singapore

Important Questions:
Individual heroes or part of a bigger canvas?

1112SEM1

Was it Raffles free trade policy alone that led to the flourishing of Singapore as a colonial
entrept? Focus on the 1800s in your answer. [25 marks]
Local Agents: Raffles and Tengku Husain
Global forces: Dutch losing to France in Europe and Britain emerging as the top dog in naval
might allowed Raffles to keep Singapore as a British port without the Dutch hostilities; Dutch
port in Batavia was poorly managed, made Raffles free trade policy successful

Chapter 8 The Port-City and its Trading Networks

Raffles free trade/immigration policy signalled the start of immigration. Singapore was ONCE
AGAIN a global city because many trade networks were indigenous and were revitalised
because of Raffles policies. Singapore was once again a bustling Global City
Raffles immigration policies also continued the multi-cultural population in Singapore. As
communities are drawn together by different strands of commercial networks, their social
organisation and political orientation reflect their diverse origins
Maritime Network
Up till 1923, Singapore was a trading port without a clearly defined hinterland that could only
be reached by sea. The economic networks that sustained Singapore operated on an
Malay
& SEA
Trade

Chine
se

Arab

Indian
s

Bugis were the main carrier of Straits products in early 19 th century

They grew unhappy with the Dutch at Riau and had a conflict. Following
which, Farquhar welcomed them and the Bugis in Singapore pulled in the
Bugis trade
Malays, however, were not used to British set-up and felt alienated. Their
traditional style of paying tributes/taxation was opposite to the Britishs free
trade in Singapore
Singapore, would however, become the centre of Malay intellectual life and
politics. Many camps with opposing sentiments towards the British were
borne.
Early 19th century, Batavia was the only port Chinese could trade in, though
Dutch-controlled ports were unattractive because of Dutch antagonism to the
Chinese, prevalent persecution of Chinese and heavy import and export
duties making Batavia unpopular among the Chinese
Development of Singapore as a commercial centre saw significant growth in
Chinese population where many came as prostitutes and coolies Secret
societies grew out of banding together
Straits Chinese had the ability to speak English & Malay became natural
middleman
Chinese community generally good at taking care of themselves despite
secret societies because mayhem was bad for business
First voyaged to Southeast Asian archipelago in search of Chinese luxury
goods
By 15th century, traders made full use of segmented trade arrangements and
travelled halfway instead of all the way to China. Melaka became popular
because of Islams conversion
Looking to escape heavy custom dues imposed in Dutch controlled ports,
Singapore came into picture and Raffles also encouraged them to settle in
Singapore
Arabs in Singapore are generally from powerful, influential and wealthy
families
By 20th century, although numbers still small, the Arab community was
powerful, owning huge amounts of property, real estate
Until 1873, Indians arrived as convicts transported to Singapore to serve their
term
Large-scale voluntary Indian migration began only in the second half of 19 th
century but most were from lower caste Indians, not many Indian merchants
came to set up business in first half of 19th though petty trades slowly
showed up
Indians found their niche operating credit & accounting services, Chettiars
were especially successful, becoming major sources of financing for
agriculturists in SEA
Indian community exploited British imperial trade network and soon
dominated textile trade
By 1930s, Singapore Indian community well-established, Indian Chamber of
Commerce set-up

extended sea-lined foreland covering much of Indian Ocean and South China Sea. As a
colonial port, Singapores trade was predominantly Asian. SEA accounted for a quarter, China
12%. Overland trade with SEA was insignificant, hence Singapores position between two
oceans was more important than being on the southernmost tip of Asia.

1213SEM1
Tan Tock Seng was a Melaka-born Straits Chinese who made his fortune in Singapore through
joint investments with the British. What characteristics of the Straits Chinese made them a
successful community in colonial Singapore? [25 marks]

Chapter 9 Staple Port and the Malayan Hinterland

Before
19th
century
1819

Tin mining done by Malays who were reluctant to increase production to meet
the rising demand
Chinese labourers went to Malaya following the founding of Pinang
English merchant Peter Durand came up with tin cans, demand of tin exploded
with American civil war in 1860s

1869

Opening of the Suez Canal

1874

In order to protect their investments in the tin industry in Malaya, British signed
an order with Malay Sultans to establish first British resident for law and order
Peace and stability brought more investments and even more Chinese
migration

1897

Henry Ridley found a way to tap rubber sap without hurting the trees
th

Early 20
Century

Motor car industry in United States exploded

Demand for rubber increased enormously

1905

Shipping industry developed to serve the new port-city , Colonial government

assumed control and development of the port to meet the increasing demand
Tanjong Pagar Dock Ordinance began converting into Singapore Harbour
Board

1911

Rubber association started to handle the sale of rubber in Singapore, Singapore

developed into important player in the international rubber market

1912

Straits Trading Company became the largest tin-smelting company in the world

1924

Road link between Malaya and Singapore opened, serving the tin, rubber and oil
from the Northern hinterland
Colonial Singapore experienced early industrialisation as a result of the
raw materials that was coming from the North

Notes:
Industrialisation was not new to Singapore. Evidence of metal working dated from the 14 th
century was found on the Singapore River bank. This meant that Temasek had already
conducted tin-smelting as early as in the 14 th century
Important Questions:

1011SEM2
What is a staple port? What factors led to the development of Singapore from an entrepot port
to a staple port during the 19th century? [25 marks]
Major events that took place in the different parts of the world contributed to Singapores
success
Tin: Demand for tin in tin cans exploded due to the America Civil War (Global) Large scale
Chinese immigration swamped into Malaysia, increasing production (Local) Britishs interest
in tin industry meant law and order, bringing peace and stability, further increasing
production (Local) tin smelting in Singapore was developed
Rubber: A new way to tap the rubber sap from trees without hurting them (Global) USs
motor car industry exploded, demand for rubber increased enormously (Global) rubber
processing line developed in Singapore

Chapter 10 Fortress Singapore: Defending a Port-City and Empire

Proposed Defence / Motivations
1819
1827

1843

1878

1921

1945
-

Series of artillery batteries over the island

with a major artillery fort on Pearls Hill
Singapore was worth defending in view of
Dutch threat
Protect the entrance to Kallang River, New
Harbour at Tanjong Pagar with series of
artillery batteries and forts.
In view of the opening up of China after the
Opium War, Captain Best proposed to beef
up defences in Singapore as part of a greater
sea lane from Singapore to China.
Advent of steam ships, Suez Canal and
telegraph brought the Empire closer. Small
conflicts no longer local and could escalate
into wider conflicts
Major McCullum propose strong naval fleet
with secure chain of ports and coaling
station as combat support
Far East Fleet to counter an emerging and
hostile Japan, and also to protect interest in
SEA and Australia
Imperial Conference reviewed and decided
with only the construction of a naval base
and not a Far East Fleet
Britain came out of WWII severely weakened
but still had an empire to govern. She
wanted to de-colonize and bring colonies
under the Commonwealth umbrella,
maintaining a certain influence over them

Results
- Britain in debt from administering
expanding Indian empire, unable to
fund the defences
- Britain did not perceive the Dutch
threat grave enough to improve
defences
Series of Artillery batteries & forts
VS
Naval squadron from Bengal
Local merchants wanted batteries
but were not willing to pay for it /
Bengal argued that naval squadron
was more effective

Fortification of Singapore carried out

together with Hong Kong, Sri Lanka,
Mauritius, etc.

Construction and fortification of

Singapore started in 1923 and
completed only in 1938
Saw Singapore as an important pivot
to combat communism in the region
Britain increased defence in
Singapore to maintain her
military presence in the region

Important Questions:
Which is more important, balance of power or local defences?
1112SEM2
For Singapore, was being part of Britains Imperial defense strategy a benefit or a bane? Draw
on two examples to support your argument.
1112SEM1
To what extent has being militarily strategic shaped Singapores history from the 20th
Century? [25 marks]
1011SEM1
Explain how Singapore was important to the defence of both the British Empire in the first half
of the 20th century and Southeast Asia during the Cold War. [25 marks]

Chapter 11 The British Grand Design, Local Politics and the Formation of
Malaysia
1959
PAPs English educated members and Indian politicians appealed to workers and unions while
Lee Chin Siongs Chinese roots appealed to the China-born voters who had yet to shed their
Chinese chauvinism. As such, PAP won the election against Lim Yew Hocks Labour Front
Britain was unaware of LKYs agenda behind LKYs seemingly enigmatic choice of
working with the communist despite PAPs anti-communist ideology

PAP

Mala
ya

Reasons for Merger

Economic:
- Create jobs for an increasing
population
- In order to sustain declining
economy, needed Malaya as a
hinterland and Malayas
consumer market to aid her
weakening entrepot
- Without merger, Singapore was
unable to rival neighbouring
countries low production cost
and bigger market
Politics:
- Had to fulfil electoral promise of
delivering independence to
Singapore which could only be
achieved through merger
- Prevent the defeated Malayan
Communist Party from using
Singapore as a springboard to
mount a comeback
- Sweetener in Brunei, Sarawak
and North Borneo Although
Borneo was unhappy, their
complains were disregarded by
Britain

Britai
n

Worries of Merger
-

Financial
Singapore wanted to collect all tax
revenue within the island and pay
an agreed amount to the central
government
Malaya wanted all tax revenue to
be collected centrally and give
Singapore what they needed

Citizenship
Singapore was not comfortable with
the possibility of relegating to
second class citizens in Malaysia;
citizenship rights were not ironed
out

Chinese radicals in Singapore

whose violent riots were welldocumented
Did not want to lose central control
over Singapore after merger

Favoured merger to keep

communism in the region in
check
Has vested interest in Singapore
in their established military base,
hence did not want Singapore to
turn to communism

Important Questions:
1213SEM1
In the period after World War II, there was a policy known as the British Grand Design.
Explain how external factors influenced Singapores path from being a colony to gaining
independence from the British in 1963.
1011SEM2
In the period after World War II, how did external factors influence Singapores path from
being a colony to gaining independence from the British in 1963? [25 marks]

Chinese Cultural Revolution and the Cold War

Britain invested in Singapore to become their Far East base. They did not want infrastructure
to fall into the hands of the communist hence they pushed for merger.

Chapter 12 Separation
1954 1955
1959

Number of Chinese riots and clashes including the Hock Lee Riots and Chinese
students over the new National Service Ordinance
PAP won election with help from Left-Wing radicals Lim Chin Siong and Feng Swee
Suan
Singapore granted self-governance by the British

May
1961
Jul 1961
Aug
1961
Sep
1961
Sep
1962
Feb
1963
Jul 1963
Sep
1963

Tunku announced contemplation to bring Singapore, N Borneo, Brunei & Sarawak

under Malaysia
PAP loses second by-elections in Anson engineered by the Communist
13 PAP rebels formed the Barisan Sosialis which opposed merger
Broad agreements to the merger reached, working committees to be formed to
iron out details of merger before June 1963
Singaporeans vote for merger in the National Referendum
Operation Coldstore arrests key left-wing and presumably pro-Communist leaders
Final negotiations in London in search of compromise in financial arrangements &
common market
New Federation of Malaysia with Singapore
PAP wins elections in Singapore despite UMNOs participation

Nov
1964

First Malaysian Budget unveiled, DPM Goh calculated that Singapores taxpayers
contributed 39.8% of the budget even though it had 17% of the population of
Malaysia
Singapore saw taxes on diesel oil and sugar

Jul
1964

Malay-Chinese race riots, Syed Jaafar Albar flamed LKY on different mediums

Apr
1964

PAP registered as a Malaysian political party to run against the UMNO-led alliance
and won one seat, threatening UMNOs political position

Feb
1965

Initial talks on disengaging Kuala Lumpar from Singapore was stopped by Britain

May
1965
Jun
1965
Aug
1965

In the inaugural Malaysian Solidarity Convention, LKY challenged UMNOs policies

for solving Malays poverty; argued for a Malaysian Malaysia where race does not
play a part
Direct challenge to UMNO-led alliance that was split between racial lines
Goh Keng Swee and Tun Razak held secret talks on separation without Britain
knowing
SEPARATION
-

After
1965

1967

Resumed industrialisation, welcoming FDI in Singapore that was restricted

under Malaysia
Resumed Indonesian barter trade that was hindered by frosty MalaysiaIndonesian relations
Trade in traditional produce tin, rubber and rice gave way to trade in
petroleum, petroleum products, shipbuilding and services
Bank of China kept institutions in existence

Sing dollars came into existence

Notes:
PAP proved that a multi-racial party was able to win communal votes if the party was
competent and could deliver the goods.

Why they separated:

Ideological differences: Meritocracy VS Racial-defined system

Chapter 13 Responding to Separation

Lack
-

Longue Duree Problems

of Sense of Belonging
Singapore has always been an
immigration haven, population
comprised of immigrants,
descendants of immigrants who had
been living and working within their
respective ethnic groups
Different groups of people with
diverse language, historical and
cultural background meant that
they did not have a sense of
belonging in Singapore
People had no stake in Singapore

Respond / Results
-

Create a common identity, shared

experience in WWII
Espoused principles of Equality,
Meritocracy, multiracialism and
multiculturalism
1967, introduced NS, fostering sense of
Nationhood
Resettlement program offers cheap
housing raising standard of living of
Singaporeans tremendously, it also
provided Singaporeans with a stake in
the country

Small town Defence

- Was very vulnerable fresh out of
separation, threats from Indonesian
Konfrontation, Malaysia, etc
intended to rely on British military
presence but they withdrew in 1971
- Chinese country in a Malay region
Entrepot trade susceptible to global
swings
- Singapores economy is one of a
staple port that supported the
primary economy of a large rural
hinterland
In 14th, served Riau and
Borneo
Early 20th, served Malaysia
- In 1965, Malaysias trade barriers,
Indonesias Sukarno administration
and Chinas Cultural Revolution
made it impossible for Singapore to
rely on the traditional economic
pillars
- Enterpot trade was VERY
susceptible to global trends

Deterrence is Singapores best form of

defence
poison shrimp porcupine
dolphin
- 1971, ASEAN was established to serve
the need for regional corporation in
matters of foreign affairs
- Singapore befriended global powers like
the US
Powerful friends + Local defences
Manufacturing
- Embraced colonial past and opened up to
West
- Import-substitution manufacturing for
domestic market to manufacturing for
Western market
- Education and training realigned to
upgrade economic productivity
- Business-friendly labour laws passed
Financial Sector
- Insurance, international banking
corporations encouraged to establish
Asian base in Singapore
Shipping
- Improved port and shipping capabilities
Results
- By 1975, Singapore was the worlds 3rd
busiest port
- GDP increased tremendously in early
independence

Important Questions:
In order to succeed, independent Singapore had to overcome her longue duree problems.
1011SEM1 - Who, when and for what reasons, decided to designate Raffles as the founder of
Singapore? [25 marks]

1819 VS 1299 as a starting point

1112SEM2
1299, 1819 and 1965.
Should each of these dates be recognized as equally important in Singapores history? What
arguments can be made for and against seeing them as equally important?
Port VS Fort: which is more important
1011SEM2
Should the date 1819 be considered a turning point in (a) the history of Singapore as a nationstate, (b) the history of Singapore as a global city or (c) both? Explain your answer. [50 marks]
Nation State VS Global City

Heroes VS Small steps

1112SEM1
Since Singapore attained its independence in 1965, it has been obsessed with the struggle to
become and remain a successful city-state and global city. Having been regarded by much of
the world, and its founding fathers, as a political anomaly, as too small to survive in the world
of large nation states linked to economic hinterlands, it focused on future survival at the cost
of forgetting much of its past, especially its past before the arrival of the British in 1819.
Historian Derek Heng
To what extent do you agree with Hengs assessment? In your response consider the
implications on Singapores history for either forgetting or choosing to remember the pre1819 era.
1011SEM1
What are the problems with looking at history only in terms of the great heroes of the past?
Use examples from Singapore history to support your answer. [25 marks]

Others
ln what way have global factors been important to the development of Singapore over the
last 700 vears? [50 marks]
Singapores strategic location has always remained constant but yet its economic fortunes
have often fluctuated. Discuss.
At the heart of Singapores thriving economy lies a great port through which goods find their
way to regional and international markets. Is this an adequate explanation for Singapores
history over the last 700 years? [50 marks]