Secondary Two History - Chapter Four

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How did the British govern How did the British govern Singapore before WWII?Singapore before WWII?

Chapter 4

Can you guess what these buildings functioned as under British rule?

In this chapter, you will learn about:

From trading settlement to Crown Colony

• Straits Settlement became a ______________________

• under direct control of Colonial Office in London

• Singapore now belonged to Queen Victoria of Britain.

British Administration in Singapore (1867 – 1942)

Recap! What did the Straits Settlement consist of?

British Administration in Singapore (1867 – 1942)

In this form of government, who had more power: the British or the locals?

Local Involvement in Government

Look at the picture of the Legislative Council below

and answer the questions on the next slide:


How many Europeans can you see? How many locals can you see? How do you think this affected the way in

which the views / opinions / feelings of the local population were represented in the government? Was it very easy for the ‘local voice’ to be heard and supported in the government? Why or why not?

Why do you think Singapore was run in this manner?

How do you think this made the local population feel?


As pressure for more local involvement increased, the number of non-official members in the Legislative Council increased.

In 1924, there was an equal number of non-official and official members in the Legislative Council.

Did increasing the number of non-official members lead to more local involvement?

Why do you think the British listened to the demands for more non-official members?


Two important locals were Dr. Lim Boon Keng and Eunos Abdullah.

Problems in Maintaining Law and Order

1. Chinese Secret Societies

Committed a number of illegal acts: Robbery, murder, running of opium houses, brothels and gambling dens

“Illegal acts have been committed lately all over the island by these

secret society members. Numerous workshops and warehouses belonging

to Chinese Christians have been destroyed. These acts, especially the more recent outrageous attack upon

the police in Bukit Timah, show evidence of a dangerous threat to

public security and peace.”

Why do you think this was a major concern for the

British?

2. Abuse of Immigrants

Two groups of people who were frequently abused were ________ and Chinese women who came to Singapore.

Many new immigrants were kept under guard on the coolie

ships or locked up in filthy conditions and forcibly re-shipped to other places in

Southeast Asia where conditions were too terrible to

attract free labour…

The sale of girls into brothels starts with the ‘pocket-mother’ bringing the girls from China to Singapore. The ‘pocket-mother’ receives the money paid for her ‘daughter’, who signs an IOU for the amount with heavy interest. The girls work to pay off their debts… Some, after six years were still repaying their debts

even though the sums had been paid over and over again…

3. Piracy

A great danger to the lives, property and trade of the merchant community in Singapore

Many trading ships were attacked, after which the cargoes were stolen and the people were either killed or sold as slaves

How did the government respond?

Do you remember how Singapore was depicted in the movie Pirates of

the Carribean 3: At World’s End?

Improving Law and Order

Police force was ineffective. Few people wanted to join as

policemen were poorly paid and equipped

Many policemen accepted bribes Not many Chinese policemen, so it

was hard to get information from the Chinese local population

Army often had to be called in to assist the police

Why were there so few Chinese policemen?


The British realised there was a need to improve the police force. Increased pay and provided proper training Employed capable officials who could speak both Malay and the

Chinese dialects Set up Detective Branch in 1862 to look into the activities of the

secret societies; Chinese detectives were recruited by 1906. This was renamed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in

1931. Modern methods, like finger-printing, were introduced Set up a _________________________________ under William

Pickering, to address problems related to the Chinese community


William Pickering was in charge of the Chinese Protectorate, and was known as the first Protector of the Chinese from May 1877.

Accomplishments of the Chinese Protectorate: Obtained the support of the Chinese leaders People settled their disputes through the Protectorate,

weakening the power of the secret societies Improved welfare of the coolies and immigrant

Chinese women Increased trust between the British and the local

Chinese community

Improving Social Services: Education

Throughout the 19th century, the British were happy to leave education in the hands of _________________ institutions.

However, this attitude changed in the late 19th century. Demand for people trained in

English in places such as government offices and trading companies


The government made several steps to improve the education system:


However, not all schools were treated equally. English and Malay schools were

given more money The British believed that Chinese

schools bred _________________ feelings among their students

Favoured _________________ and pro-British schools

Improving Social Services: Health

Common killing diseases such as tubercolosis, beri beri and malaria

were serious. They were caused by

poverty, overcrowding,

malnutrition and dirt. There was neither

adequate water supply nor a proper

system of waste disposal.

The prosperity of Singapore depended entirely upon its use as a commercial emporium. This is

gravely threatened by dangerous infectious diseases that other places had begun to impose

quarantine regulations against Singapore.

What were some of the factors that led to the widespread health problems?

What effect did it have on Singapore as a trade centre?

Improving Social Services: Health

The government made several steps to improve the health system:

British Government’s View on the Local Population

“I believe the British race is the greatest of

governing races the world has ever seen!”

Asians were often discriminated by the British government:

In general however, there was order, security and an improved standard of living.

Recap Questions

What were the two councils that assisted the Governor in running the Straits Settlement?

Who were Eunos Abdullah and Dr Lim Boon Keng? What were their contributions?

What problems did the British face in maintaining law and order in Singapore?

How did the British improve law and order in Singapore? How did the British improve education services? How did the British improve health services? What were the British views on the local population?