chapter three What part did the different immigrant communities play in Singapore’s development?

Lesson Objectives Why the Immigrants came Contributions of the Immigrants Social Impact of the Immigrants on Singapore

Why the Immigrants came

Contributions of the Immigrants

Social Impact of the Immigrants on Singapore

Who were they? Majority were men who did not come with the intention of staying in the long term. Many of the Chinese and Indians hoped to save enough money here so that they could return home richer. However, a considerable number changed their minds and decided to settle down. Some brought their family over, others married locals.

Majority were men who did not come with the intention of staying in the long term.

Many of the Chinese and Indians hoped to save enough money here so that they could return home richer.

However, a considerable number changed their minds and decided to settle down.

Some brought their family over, others married locals.

Why they came: Pull factors The British practiced a free immigration policy Singapore was a free port – Traders did not have to pay for custom duties or taxes on goods Numerous business prospects and job opportunities attracted them. Singapore was seen as peaceful compared to the neighbouring countries

The British practiced a free immigration policy

Singapore was a free port – Traders did not have to pay for custom duties or taxes on goods

Numerous business prospects and job opportunities attracted them.

Singapore was seen as peaceful compared to the neighbouring countries

Why they came: Push factors Unfavourable conditions in their homeland. (Eg, war, natural disasters) The need to earn money for their families

Unfavourable conditions in their homeland. (Eg, war, natural disasters)

The need to earn money for their families

Contributions of the immigrants #1 Building the Settlement #2 Promoting Trade #3 Working for the Government #4 Serving the community

#1 Building the Settlement

#2 Promoting Trade

#3 Working for the Government

#4 Serving the community

#1 Building the settlement Chinese coolies and Indian labourers were employed to clear the jungle areas for plantation purposes. They worked long hours under the sun and received very low pay. European officials helped to plan and develop the town. Eg, George Coleman, overall-in-charge of public works

Chinese coolies and Indian labourers were employed to clear the jungle areas for plantation purposes.

They worked long hours under the sun and received very low pay.

European officials helped to plan and develop the town.

Eg, George Coleman, overall-in-charge of public works

#2 Promoting Trade Entrepot trade: Imported goods that were brought into Singapore were then sold or re-exported to other countries. Malay traders brought Straits produce to Singapore. Eg, Hajjah Fatimah European businessmen like Alexander Guthrie brought goods made in Europe. These people made Singapore a more attractive trading centre and helped to increase Singapore’s trade.

Entrepot trade: Imported goods that were brought into Singapore were then sold or re-exported to other countries.

Malay traders brought Straits produce to Singapore.

Eg, Hajjah Fatimah

European businessmen like Alexander Guthrie brought goods made in Europe.

These people made Singapore a more attractive trading centre and helped to increase Singapore’s trade.

#2 Promoting Trade Chinese traders acted as middlemen who could speak the local dialects, Malay and English. European traders brought capital for business. Indian Chettiars played an important role in money lending. Coolies worked as labourers and contributed to the development of trade. Other immigrants met basic needs of traders and settlers by providing goods and services.

Chinese traders acted as middlemen who could speak the local dialects, Malay and English.

European traders brought capital for business.

Indian Chettiars played an important role in money lending.

Coolies worked as labourers and contributed to the development of trade.

Other immigrants met basic needs of traders and settlers by providing goods and services.

#3 Working for the government Both Europeans and Asians helped in the administration. Those who could read and write English worked as clerks and office attendants. Eg, Syed Mohammed bin Ahmed Alsagoff – Justice of Peace Eg, P. Govindasamy Pillai - Justice of Peace Many Sikhs worked as policemen to keep law and order.

Both Europeans and Asians helped in the administration.

Those who could read and write English worked as clerks and office attendants.

Eg, Syed Mohammed bin Ahmed Alsagoff – Justice of Peace

Eg, P. Govindasamy Pillai - Justice of Peace

Many Sikhs worked as policemen to keep law and order.

Social problems in Singapore The immigrants who were less well off, suffered from diseases It was a common sight to see such immigrants lying on the road with sores on them, too weak to move. Even after their death, their bodies were left on the roads. There was a prevalence of crime and social vices in the settlement. Common crimes committed by immigrants – slave trade, abuse of coolies, secret societies Social vices – gambling, prostitution, opium smoking

The immigrants who were less well off, suffered from diseases

It was a common sight to see such immigrants lying on the road with sores on them, too weak to move. Even after their death, their bodies were left on the roads.

There was a prevalence of crime and social vices in the settlement.

Common crimes committed by immigrants – slave trade, abuse of coolies, secret societies

Social vices – gambling, prostitution, opium smoking

#4 Serving the community Spurred on by the need to help the less fortunate, people from various races, particularly the wealthier businessmen stepped up to improve the lives of the people. Eg, Tan Tock Seng funded the building of a hospital Eg, Thong Cai Medical Institution Eg, Govindasamy Pillay built Hindu temples and started a small school for Indian children.

Spurred on by the need to help the less fortunate, people from various races, particularly the wealthier businessmen stepped up to improve the lives of the people.

Eg, Tan Tock Seng funded the building of a hospital

Eg, Thong Cai Medical Institution

Eg, Govindasamy Pillay built Hindu temples and started a small school for Indian children.

#4 Serving the community They ensured that basic education was provided for some people in Singapore. Christian missionaries from the West came and established schools. Eg, St Margaret’s School aimed to save girls from slavery. They spent money to ensure the poor had proper burials. They contributed generously to provide facilities and services for the people. Eg, Syed Ali bin Mohammed Aljunied helped construct 4 community wells

They ensured that basic education was provided for some people in Singapore.

Christian missionaries from the West came and established schools.

Eg, St Margaret’s School aimed to save girls from slavery.

They spent money to ensure the poor had proper burials.

They contributed generously to provide facilities and services for the people.

Eg, Syed Ali bin Mohammed Aljunied helped construct 4 community wells