Sec 1 History Chapter 2 Consolidation Quiz

In 17th century (1600s), which of the following were the main competitors for trade in the Southeast Asia region?

• British East India Company (EIC)

• Singapore traders

• British royal army

• Dutch VOC

Which of the following are the reasons why the British was interested in the Southeast Asia region for trade?

• It has a natural sheltered harbour

• It allowed the British to gain control over spice trade which was profitable

• It is the mid-point along the maritime trade route connecting India and China

• The Dutch had monopoly (exclusive control) over trade in the region

Answer explanation

The following are reasons why these options are incorrect:

X It has a natural sheltered harbour

• - This is a reason why they chose Singapore, not the region

X Dutch had monopoly (exclusive control) over trade in the region

• - Based on this reason alone, the British would not want to compete with the Dutch, as they already had much influence in the area

• - BUT the British eventually decided to compete with them due to the attractiveness of spice trade in the region and how the region was in the middle of the maritime trade route

To protect the India-China Trade, the EIC needed control along the maritime trade route - They needed control over the Straits of ____________and waters around Singapore

• Sunda

• Melaka

• Johor Sultanate

• Bencoolen

Answer explanation

The following are reasons why these options are incorrect:

X Sunda

- The Straits of Sunda is not the fastest route connecting India and China, it is a longer route around Indonesia

X Johor Sultanate

- This is not a name of any Straits (River)

• - It is the name of a territory under the Johor Sultan's rule

X Bencoolen

- This is the name of one of British's port in the 17th century

• - Together with Bencoolen, the British also had another port at Penang

The spice trade was profitable because it was very valuable. Why were spices so valuable at that time?

• They had many uses such as cooking, medicinal purposes, and especially for preserving food due to lack of refrigeration and artificial preservatives

• It could only be found in the Southeast Asia region (Spice Islands)

• The Dutch had control over it so they raised prices of the spices

Answer explanation

Did you know that Spice Islands is also known as Moluccas or Maluku Islands? (See map)

Which of the following is NOT a reason why the British eventually decided to set up their trading post in Singapore?

• Accessible drinking water and sheltered harbour

• Singapore’s good location – along the southern tip of the Straits of Melaka.

• Singapore was not under Dutch rule

• Lack of resources in Singapore

Which of the following treaty allowed the British to gain FULL CONTROL over Singapore?

• 1819 Treaty

• 1824 Treaty of Friendship and Alliance

• 1824 London / Anglo-Dutch Treaty

Answer explanation

The 1819 treaty only allowed the British to gain control over the Southern part of Singapore

The 1824 London / Anglo-Dutch Treaty allowed the British and Dutch to divide the region into two spheres of influence - the zone under the British and the zone under the Dutch

Which of the following are valid points to consider when we decide who the founder of Singapore is? Select TWO.

• How we define founder

• How much he has contributed to Singapore's development

• How popular he is

• How wealthy he is

Answer explanation

How popular and how wealthy a person is does not necessarily mean he qualifies to be a founder of a country

He may be popular for the wrong reasons / he may be popular in fame but has done nothing relevant to the country

He also may be wealthy but he may not use his wealth for the country