Section D: Source-based Questions (30 marks)
For Qn. 21-22, write your answers clearly and in FULL sentences.
Note to markers – pls accept any other plausible answers.
21(a) - there was trading activity at the harbour
- as there were many boats and ships
- there were many traders who used Singapore’s harbour
(accept any other reasonable answers) [Max marks =3]
21(b) Temasek was great and famous place
- known by many foreigners/ had many foreign visitors
- there were some Chinese visitors who settled here
- Traders were afraid to come because of the pirates
- there were pirates trying to steal from the Chinese junks [Max marks = 4]
21(c) The historian did not consider Temasek important because
- it had not natural resources to attract traders
- it was only a small outpost (operations station) of an empire
- more important was the seapower of the empire [Max marks =3]
21 (d) Both writers of sources C and D did not feel that Temasek/Singapore was a very
important port.
- should quote 4 examples (2 from each source to show similarities)
- Source C states that it had “no natural resources to attract traders” and that it was “at
- most a small outpost”
- Source D stated that Temasek was most “likely not a very important port” and it was
never a centre of Malay power”/ “ a pawn/something of least value”
22(a) Rickshaw puller’s - life was difficult/stressful/not easy
- smoking opium
- wearing simple clothing/ no shoes
- difficult to find passengers – had to wait a long time for passengers
- couldn’t afford to have his own rickshaw – had to be hired/rented
[Max marks = 3]
22(b) - make a fortune / job opportunities
- to make money
- could afford to buy food – fish/meat
- could live a comfortable life [Max marks = 3]
22(c) - Answers the Question - 1 mark (if candidate states Source C proofs/does not proof
that life of a rickshaw puller was difficult)
- Elaborates/Explains/Quotes egs- from Source C and other sources
Eg: Source C describes how the life of one rickshaw puller, Lu Tian Lee was very difficult.
However, Source C is only an account from one rickshaw puller and thus is not enough to
provide proof that their lives were difficult
- Source B for example states that another returning villager said that “Singapore was a
good place to make money if one worked hard” and that “he could afford fish and meat”
and “he could live a comfortable life there”
22(d) Answers the question – Sources C and D are very different/not very different
because - 3 marks – for elaboration/explaining/quotes from both sources
Section E: Structured Questions (45 marks)
Write your answers CLEARLY & in FULL sentences on the Writing Paper provided.
Choose any THREE sets of questions to answer
23. Who was the Founder of Singapore?
(a) What were the factors that led to the British looking for a third port in the East? [4]
- To break Dutch monopoly
- Penang and Bencoolen were unsuitable
- Importance of trade - China
- (1st mark for main point, 2nd mark for elaboration)
(b) Why was Singapore chosen by the British as a new trading settlement? [6]
o Occupied a central position on the main trading route between India and China
o Central position on Straits of Melaka
o Not occupied or controlled directly by Dutch
o Had an excellent harbour – deep, sheltered, natural advantages
o Supply of drinking water
(c) How did Raffles manage to set up a trading settlement in Singapore? [5]
- Raffles recognised Tengku Hussein as Sultan of Johor
- Raffles, Tengku Hussein and the Temenggong signed a formal treaty on 6 February 1819
- State 3 terms of treaty:
- British were given permission to start a trading settlement
- In return, Sultan Husein was given $5,000 annually
- Temenggong was given $3,000 annually
(15 marks)
24. How did External Events before World War II affect Singapore?
(a) What were the effects of World War 1 on Singapore? [4]
- Rush for food
- Prices soared because of shortages of food
- Government controls on imports and exports – to bring prices down
- Danger to Singapore’s trade – threat of German warship – attacked British trading ships – trade fell
- Sepoy Mutiny – people in Singapore were worried – helped British realize it could not be careless about Singapore’s defence
- Made people realize threats can come from inside and outside the country
(b) Why was there a need for the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869? [6]
- Need for raw materials
- And new markets to sell their goods
- Led to need for shorter trade route between Europe and East
- Previously, traders had to sail around the southern tip of Africa which was too dangerous
- Previously, sailing around Africa - it look too long -120 days
- Shorten time taken – would lead to more profits/ improve communication
(c) How did the Great Depression affect the life in Singapore? [5]
- Decrease in trade and business as Singapore depended on overseas trade
- Companies had to cut expenses – retrenched workers- led to unemployment
- Businessmen who depended on overseas trade – lost their wealth or became bankrupt- Hardship
- Restriction on immigration
- Unemployed difficult to find jobs – jobs were limited
- Many immigrants returned home
- Law in 1930 – Arrangements for unemployed to return to their homeland
(15 marks)
25. How did World War II Affect Singapore?
(a) What were the actions taken by the British to defend Singapore against external attack? [4]
- “Main fleet to Singapore” strategy
- Installation of 15-inch guns facing the sea
- Building of military airfields
- Building of underground bunkers
- Building of a naval base (Sembawang)
- Training of soldiers in guerilla warfare
(b) Why were the Japanese able to defeat the British in Malaya and Singapore during the Second World War? [6]
- Priority – of Japanese was to conquer countries in Southeast Asia for raw materials
- Equipment – had tanks, used bicycles to move
- Troops – Well trained, committed and loyal
- Air and Sea Power – Had modern fleet of battleships, supported by modern fighter planes
- Leadership – Effective and skilful
(c) How did the Japanese Occupation affect the lives of the people in Singapore?[ 5]
- Singapore was renamed as “Syonan-to”
- British and other Europeans were taken as prisoners-of-war
- Most lived in fear of the Kempetai and its harsh punishment
- Operation Sook Ching attempted to wipe out Chiense opposition to the Japanese
- There were serious shortages of food and poor health conditions
(15 marks)
26. How did the local people respond to British rule after World War II?
(a) What were the ways used by the Malayan Communist Party (MCP)
to win the support of the workers? [5]
- They stirred up people’s feeling against the British
- Through trade unions
- By blaming the British for all the post-war problems
- Encouraged the workers to join Communist-controlled trade unions
- To fight for better working conditions and higher pay
(b) Why were the local people in Singapore unhappy with the British
Rule after the war? [6]
-Unhappy because faced hardships/problems but British efforts to solve them were not enough + state 5 problems:
o Were jobless
o Living in poverty
o Faced shortages – food, water, electricity and housing
o People lived in slum conditions
o poor sanitation
o lack of health services
(c) How did the British government respond to the strikes and riots
between 1947 to 1954? [4]
- Passed laws
- to control trade union
- From 1947, all unions had to register with the government
- Checked on the membership
- Checked that the money was not used for Communist-led activities
- Prepared Singapore for limited self-government
- Held election (1948)– elected local members for legislative council
(15 marks)
*** End of paper ***
WITHLOVES,
[: GLENDA.