British in SEA
1. Reasons
2. British Occupation of Penang, 1786
3. Founding of Singapore, 1819
4. Anglo-Dutch Treaty, 1824
5. Formation of Straits Settlements & transfer of SS to Colonial Office in London
British in SEA
• Participate in the lucrative spice trade of the East Indies
- Ternate : spice-producing island,
established trade, treaty signed with
Sultan, brought cargo of cloves to
England
- Burma, Siam, Malacca : favourable
reports of profitability of trade in East
British in SEA
• Imperial rivalry : England’s rivalry with Spain
- England & Spain : enemies over control
of the sea and trade
- England determined to destroy Spanish
power & influence
- 1591, England sent 1st voyage to East
Indies via Cape of Good Hope
British in SEA• Formation of East India Company - London merchants set up EIC in 1600 - obtained royal charter to monopolise trade in countries between Africa & America - British attempted to get share of spice trade in Spice Islands (Moluccas) but failed as Dutch kept them at bay - British withdrew their factories in East Indies, est only base in Bencoolen
British Occupation of Penang, 1786• Strategic Reason - Anglo-French rivalry for supremacy in India - French naval bases strategically located for
defence (eg Madras) but British had only Bombay - damages & losses to British shipping
→ convinced EIC of need to establish naval base to east of Bay of Bengal
British Occupation of Penang, 1876• Commercial Reason
1. increasing importance of China Trade
- tea, silk, porcelain, huge profits reaped
2. Port of Call between India & China
- harbour, refit, refill
3. collecting centre for Straits produce
- correct unfavourable balance of China trade : Straits products to be exchanged for tea
Founding of Singapore• Increasing importance of China Trade - tea in great demand - make trade more lucrative : opium & Malay Archipelago trade - British merchants sold opium in exchange for Chinese tea → made large profit in Chinese silver - Straits produce : tin, gold dust, iron, ivory, tortoise shell, gambier, sandalwood → port needed to control this trade
Founding of Singapore • Need to check Dutch power
- Dutch control of East Indies & trade routes to the East → discriminated against British
> Singapore strategically located to control trade route to East and Malay Archipelago trade
Transfer of SS to Colonial Office in London
• Administration - shortage of staff : insufficient knowledge of local Malay conditions as focus was India - lack of representation in Indian govt • Official policies of Indian Govt - non-intervention in Malay States as profit was of utmost importance - political instability in Malay states : threat to trading interests & investments - dumping of convicts : affect SS reputation
Top Related