British Colonial Rule in Malaya, 1870s–1920s: Reasons for Intervention PDF

British Colonial Rule in Malaya, 1870s – 1920s: Reasons for Intervention Chapter 1 Geopolitics of Europe in 1870 Environment in Europe ▪ Prior to 1870, it was known as the era of Pax Britannica...

British Colonial Rule in Malaya, 1870s – 1920s: Reasons for Intervention Chapter 1 Geopolitics of Europe in 1870 Environment in Europe ▪ Prior to 1870, it was known as the era of Pax Britannica ▪ This refers to a global environment where Britain was the most powerful European nation with a navy that controlled the global seas ▪ It formed a huge empire during the period of Free Trade Imperialism Geopolitics of Europe in 1870 Think: Based on this satirical map shown, how would you describe the situation in Europe? Geopolitics of Europe in 1870 Think: Based on this satirical map shown, how would you describe the situation in Europe? What changed in Europe for 1870? ▪ Germany emerged as a new imperial power ▪ It began exploring setting up naval stations in Southeast Asia What’s happening in Southeast Asia in 1800s? European Influence in the region ▪ Dutch and British were establishing trading bases along the main trading route towards India and China ▪ In 1824, the Anglo-Dutch Treaty was signed to establish their respective spheres of influences in the region ▪ By 1826, several key trading bases were administered as the Straits Settlement by the British to control Dutch competition and ensure trading security in the region Key Question: Why did the British need to control more areas in the Malayan Peninsula? Why isn’t the Straits Settlement sufficient for them if it is all about controlling trade? State of things in Malaya The Policy of Non-Intervention ▪ Rest of Malaya were under British sphere of influence British did not see benefits of controlling inland Malaya beyond the Straits Settlements ▪ Malaya divided into various Sultanates (kingdoms), all independent of one another. Northern Malay kingdoms (Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah) were vassals of Siam (Thailand)] ▪ British did not want to rule them as it served no purpose towards maintaining their trading dominance The Forward Movement (1870) ▪ From 1873 onwards, there was a change in the British government and focus. ▪ Governing party prior to 1873 focused on free trade but later this changed as the focus was on boosting Britain’s prestige ▪ This led the Forward Movement where British administrators in the Straits Settlement pushed for greater British intervention in the Think: Why was there a Malaya and to form not only change in the focus? Can trading posts, but colonies. you make a guess? Case Study: The Forward Movement in Perak What is going on in Perak? ▪ Succession disputes between 3 claimants after death of Sultan Ali sparked off conflict in 1871 ▪ Claimants tried to get support by enlisting help of Chinese miners and secret societies ▪ Multiple conflicts and civil war ensued ▪ Straits Settlement officials, fearing trade disruption, asked British to intervene ▪ Governor of Straits Settlements Sir Andrew Clarke decided to act Case Study: The Forward Movement in Perak Question: Why did the British intervene in Perak? Form into groups of 3 – 4 to review the sources provided. These sources will allow you to infer what are some of the reasons for British intervention in Malaya You’ll present to the class when you are done Case Study: The Forward Movement in Perak Question: Why did the British intervene in Perak? 3PO Responses to the Source Activity  Why did the British intervene in Malaya? 1. Raw Materials in Malaya - Due to the height of the Industrial Revolution, there is a search for raw materials to help fuel the productivity of factories in their production of goods For GOLD - New technology saw new products being created - Key Industries that were growing in Britain: Canning industry, Automobile → Led to the discovery of tin deposits in Malaya (Perak, Pahang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan) and able to get the supply at a lower cost → and Rubber (numerous rubber plantations in Johor)  Why did the British intervene in Malaya? 2. Search for new markets - Required new markets to sell manufactured goods from Europe - Feared that Germany was going to set up a trading post in Northern Malaya thus, preventing Britain from trading in that area For GOLD - Intervention necessary to gain control of the market before others did. 3. Need for new bases - Opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 saw an increase in trade volume → increase in piracy - Desired to have more outposts in order to have greater control of their naval trade routes along the way  Why did the British intervene in Malaya? 4. Establish social stability - Tin miners were fighting amongst each other to control territory that had tin ores and access to water supply - These fights = Larut Wars For GOLD - Fighting among the princes for the sultanate also took place that meant that there was usually instability in society resulting in trade to be suspended  Why did the British intervene in Malaya? 1. Maintain the Balance of Power - Fear of Germany’s growing influence in Southeast Asia and that they would not respect the Anglo-Dutch Treaty (1824) that established the For GLORY various spheres of influence - Feared losing their colonies and influence in the area to other European powers (e.g. Dutch rivalry in East Indies - French desire to regain their former glory after the defeat at Germany’s hands during the Franco-Prussian War Why did the British intervene in Malaya? 1. Political Instability in Perak (pp. 30 – 33) - Concerns of the on-going wars and in-fighting between the following local parties: → Local Chinese secret societies for the control of tin mines (p. 30 – 31) → Succession disputes between the Sultans (pp. 28 – 29) For God? - Presence of much violence and killings that threatened to spread to other parts of Malaya and general lack of law and order Why did the British intervene in Malaya? 1. Political Instability in Perak (pp. 30 – 33) - Concerns of the on-going wars and in-fighting between the following local parties: → Local Chinese secret societies for the control of tin mines (p. 30 – 31) → Succession disputes between the Sultans (pp. 28 – 29) For God? - Presence of much violence and killings that threatened to spread to other parts of Malaya and general lack of law and order Claimants to Sultan Ali’s Throne Sultan Ismail Sultan Abdullah Sultan Yusuf - Had experience as - Unpopular among Malay - Unpopular among the Raja Bendahara chiefs Malay chiefs Succession - Supported by Malay - Seen as a weak Raja Muda - Seen as powerful as he Dispute Chiefs when Abdullah - Decided to seek external controlled territories in failed to claim the aid to claim back throne Perak with important throne waterways Why did the British intervene in Malaya? 1. Political Instability in Perak (pp. 30 – 33) - Concerns of the on-going wars and in-fighting between the following local parties: → Local Chinese secret societies for the control of tin mines (p. 30 – 31) → Succession disputes between the Sultans (pp. 28 – 29) For God? - Presence of much violence and killings that threatened to spread to other parts of Malaya and general lack of law and order Discovery of tin Influx of Chinese Secret societies competed mines in 1840s in migrants who joined the among themselves for Larut, Perak by 2 main secret societies – control of the workers and Long Jaafar Gin Hee and Hai San mines in the area The Larut Raja Abdullah sought support of Ghee Wars Hins for his bid as Sultan, in exchange for Multiple clashes tin mines vs Sultan Ismail’s support to Hai from 1865 – 1867; Sans → Larut Wars of 1873 spill over to Penang Signing of the Pangkor Treaty (pp. 29 – 34) How was the signing of the Pangkor Treaty Done? ▪ Sir Andrew Clarke (Governor of Straits Settlements) decided to settle quarrels amongst the Chinese miners and Perak chiefs after receiving letters from the Chinese merchants and Raja Abdullah. ▪ The colonial office had originally told him to explore the possibility, but he went ahead to gather all the parties involved to meet on board the British ship to sign the Pangkor Treaty on 20 Jan 1874. Signing of the Pangkor Treaty (pp. 29 – 34) Think: What are the key terms of the treaty? Highlight the most significant line in your opinion → What do you think has changed in Perak with this treaty? Signing of the Pangkor Treaty (pp. 29 – 34) Introduction of a Resident - Has greater control over the matters in Larut (including mines) - Position appears to be above the Sultan of Perak; who is only advisory capacity. Start of British Indirect Rule over Perak Post-Pangkor Treaty: Early Implementation of Residential System Colonial Office Malay Chiefs ▪ Initially unhappy that Clarke took ▪ Unhappiness with Raja Abdullah initiative to sign Pangkor Treaty for signing the treaty ▪ In long-term, accepted this idea as it ▪ Came to a realisation that saw the success in promotion of trade acceptance of a British Resident in Malaya = losing their autonomy and ▪ Became the model for other Malay needing to accept advice on many matters states How did the people respond to signing of the Pangkor Treaty? Implementation of Residential System in Perak ▪ Retention of the Sultan’s position, and will be provided a British Resident who would “advise” the Sultan ▪ This system came to be known as “indirect rule”. - Resident will be in-charge of collecting taxes and maintain order, together with running of the administrative system - Sultan will be ruler of the state and only in charge of affairs related to Malay customs and tradition Implementation of Residential System in Perak Residential System Commission for the ▪ With the resumption of law Pacification of Larut (Jan – and order, the British Feb 1874) appointed the first Resident ▪ Immediately after Pankor of Perak on 4 Nov 1874 – Treaty’s signing, British James Birch officials such as Frank ▪ Challenging role as Birch was Swettenham focused on unfamiliar with Malay addressing the issues with customs and traditions; and the Larut mines → ensure was unsure how he could that tin mining business can both assert control while be resumed as soon as providing “advice” to Malay possible Sultans Implementation of Residential System in Perak ▪ Upon his appointment, James Birch attempted to reform the administrative system in Perak - E.g. Introduction of Code of Civil and Criminal Law; where a British chief judge would administrate the law instead of the Sultan/Malay Chiefs - Attempt to abolish debt slavery and allowed his home to be a refuge for escaped slaves ▪ Distributed the proclamation that taxes Think: From the perspective of were now collected by the Resident and the Malay Chiefs, would these not Sultan, despite lack of agreement actions be welcomed? Implementation of Residential System in Perak ▪ System was not welcomed by Sultans and village chiefs - Found Birch to be over- stepping his boundaries (E.g. immediately took over Malay chiefs role of collecting revenue) ▪ Sultan Abdullah, together with several Malay chiefs decided to assassinate him while he was bathing on 2 Nov 1875 Case Study: Implementation of Residential System in Perak ▪ The British immediately sent in a military force from Burma, India and Singapore to stop this revolt, that became known as the Perak War (1875) ▪ Those involved in Birch’s murder were hung in 1877 ▪ Raja Yusuf was appointed as the new Sultan while Sultan Abdullah was then sent to exile in the Seychelles  Why did the British intervene in Malaya? 1. Political Instability in Perak (pp. 30 – 33) - Concerns of the on-going wars and in-fighting between the following local parties: → Local secret societies for the control of tin mines → Succession disputes between the Sultans For God? - Presence of much violence and killings that threatened to spread to other parts of Malaya and general lack of law and order Think: Based on the sources and the impact of the Pangkor Treaty, do you think British intervention for Perak’s law and order was an altruistic goal? Why did the British intervene in perak? Which do you think is the main motivating factor for Europeans to colonise Southeast Asia? Support In pairs, go onto your argument. Google Classroom, Using the hypothesis you for the Googlesheet have created, let’s see if it to try writing out a applies to the case study paragraph to explain of British intervention in 2 the reasons for why areas in Malaya the British ▪ Straits Settlement intervened in Perak. (Singapore) ▪ Peninsular Malaya (Perak) Case Study: The Forward Movement in Perak Question: Why did the British intervene in Perak? Form into groups of 3 – 4 to review the sources provided. These sources will allow you to infer what are some of the reasons for British intervention in Malaya You’ll present to the class when you are done Which do you think is the most critical reason for intervention? (A) Gold (B) God (C) Glory