# data[].attributes.headline
How were spices a reason for British interest in Southeast Asia?

# data[].attributes.subject
How were spices a reason for British interest in Southeast Asia?

# data[].attributes.body
Watch this video to understand the importance of spices and why Southeast Asia mattered to the Europeans

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Join us on a journey to learn about the magical history of spices

# data[].attributes.body
Any other questions about the Europeans in Southeast Asia?

# data[].attributes.headline
To conclude, why was Singapore selected? Write down three reasons why Singapore was selected. 

# data[].attributes.subject
To conclude, why was Singapore selected? Write down three reasons why Singapore was selected. 

# data[].attributes.body
Watch this video to learn about Stamford Raffles' search for a new port and why he decided on Singapore

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
1819 - Raffles Journey to Find a New Trading Base

# data[].attributes.headline
British needed a better port in Southeast Asia. Explain how this led to the British searching for another port that was Singapore.

# data[].attributes.subject
British needed a better port in Southeast Asia. Explain how this led to the British searching for another port that was Singapore.

# data[].attributes.body
Read this post to understand why the British needed a better port.

# data[].attributes.headline
How did India-China trade attract the British to Southeast Asia?

# data[].attributes.subject
How did India-China trade attract the British to Southeast Asia?

# data[].attributes.body
Watch this video to learn about trade between Britain and China.

Think about how this trade relates to Southeast Asia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Empire's Opium Trade - Empire - Episode 4 - BBC

# data[].attributes.headline
Dutch presence in East Indies (Indonesia) motivated the British to establish a port in Singapore. Explain how.

# data[].attributes.subject
Dutch presence in East Indies (Indonesia) motivated the British to establish a port in Singapore. Explain how.

# data[].attributes.body
Watch this video to learn about the Dutch East India Company and how the Dutch established control in the East Indies.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How one of the most profitable companies in history rose to power - Adam Clulow

# data[].attributes.headline
How did India-China trade attract the British to Southeast Asia

# data[].attributes.subject
How did India-China trade attract the British to Southeast Asia

# data[].attributes.body
Watch this video to learn about the British East India Company: why it was created and how it affected India

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
East India Company |How British came and occupied India(British Rule in India- History)|The openbook

# data[].attributes.body
The Chinese grew tea leaves to make the tea that the British wanted while the British grew opium poppies in India. The British then shipped the opium to china and use the profits they collected from selling opium to buy tea leaves from China.

===========================

Yes, India-China trade was important for the British. However, what had this to do with SEA?

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
The British used spices to make perfumes. They also believed that the spices could cure a plague. However, they could not grow spices themselves as the spices could not grow during winter.

======================================

Right- these were some of the reasons. plus seasoning of food and spices were worth a lot of $$

# data[].attributes.body
The Dutch dominated the control of trade in Southeast Asia and imposed a whole range of policies which included the disallowing of any British traders to trade at any Dutch port with an exception of Batavia and also the imposing of high taxes on British traders who traded at Batavia. This greatly cut the amount of profit that they could gain from trading in Southeast Asia and instantly posed as a threat to the economy of Britain. These policies had also resulted in the need of the British to break the Dutch monopoly of trade in SEA. Therefore, a port had to be set up in SEA along the main trade route – the Straits of Melaka – so as to facilitate the trading by British traders in SEA. The port would also be able to keep a check on the rising Dutch influence in that area and also prevent the Dutch from further expansion. In addition, the southern tip of the Straits of Melaka was also suitable due to its geographic location of being along the main trade route – the Straits of Melaka, thus allowing the British to ensure the safety of the British ships travelling through the SEA from Dutch warships.

===================

so the port that was SG could protect British ships and trade too. at the same time, allowed the British to trade in SEA, and with India and China since the location of SG was ideal, many traders would be attracted.

# data[].attributes.body
At one point in time, spices were believed to be able to cure people from diseases. Spices were also used to flavour food and make perfumes.

===============

Yes, and spices could only be grown in SEA and Europe's climate was unsuitable for the cultivation of spices

# data[].attributes.body
-Queen Elizabeth thought that spice was the cure for the deadly plague and the demand grew for spices.

-The exotic spices could not grow in colder climates like Europe so they had to travel to the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

======================

Yes, spices had many functions- flavouring and preserving food. They were worth a lot of money, hence the British came to SEA.

# data[].attributes.body
The spices could be used for flavouring and preserving their food or to make perfumes.

=======================

Yes, spices were worth a lot of money. They couldn't be cultivated in Europe hence the British had to come to SEA for spices.

# data[].attributes.body
First, exotic spices do not grow in colder climates such as Europe, so the British travelled to warmer climates (Southeast Asia, Middle East, etc.).

Next, spice traders would make up fantastic stories such as tales of deep glands filled with cinnamon and infested with snakes and other exotic spices guarded by creatures in order to get more money.

In addition, these spices could also be used for many different purposes from flavouring and preserving their food to making perfumes and dyes and even medicine.

Finally, the Elizabethans thought that nutmeg was a cure for the plague, a terrible disease at that time, so the prices rose and more of them started buying the spices.

==================

Good work girls! You have covered every possible reason. Not forgetting, since spices were so useful and cannot be cultivated under Europe's cool climate, spices became very profitable hence the British came here for them :)

# data[].attributes.body
The British thought that spices could cure the plagues, and they also used it for things like perfume. Hence, they grew spices. However, during the winter they were unable to do so.

=====================

Yes the British thought spices had medicinal function...

Error- i don't think the Europeans grew the spices, whether it was winter or summer. That is why the British had to come to SEA to get spices.

other reasons? flavouring and preservation of food?

# data[].attributes.body
They wanted a share in the trade of spices and wanted to make perfumes out of spices but they could not grow spices themselves as the spices could not be grown in winter. They also wanted more flavour in their food and thought that the spices could cure diseases.

===================

Yes, good. spices were worth a lot of money since they were not found in Europe yet had many purposes. That was why British were interested in SEA

# data[].attributes.body
Chloe Mak and Shu Xuan and Emma

In the past, people used spices to make perfume and they believed that spices could be used to cure illnesses..

=================

Yes, plus in Europe, it was difficult to cultivate spices and only India and SEA had them...

spices were important for cooking and preserving food

# data[].attributes.body
The British were interested in Southeast Asia because they found spices very interesting and helped to flavour and preserve food. The weather the British experienced was not suitable for planting spices, while Southeast Asia’s weather was suitable for planting spices and has a lot of different spices. They also found out that spices were prized and could be sold for a lot of money, thus wanting to trade spices from Southeast Asia.

================

Good work, girls. Yes, spices were worth a lot of $ and found in SEA (India) hence British were interested in SEA

# data[].attributes.body
As regards South-East Asia, British intervention had been brought about by Anglo-French rivalry and fluctuating Dutch power, by the needs of India and opportunities in China, by the attractions of South-East Asian trade and the reactions of South-East Asian societies

==========================

Good that you mentioned SEA trade. Next, to link SEA to India-China trade. Need to show why India-China were important to the British. Then show how SEA could help the British prosper as the British traded with India and China...

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
British was interested in spices as it flavoured and preserved their food. It was also used to make perfumes, dyes and sometimes even medicines.

=============

Yes, plus spices could not be cultivated in Europe (too cool) so only SEA had them. since spices were lucrative to trade in, the British had to come to SEA

# data[].attributes.body
The British travelled to countries to trade spices such as Asia, North Est Africa and the Middle East. Soon, everyone started to use and trade spices. Europeans started to explore the globe further and the spices they found were very highly priced and expensive. People also believed that spices were used to cure plagues and diseases. They were used to make things which we used in our everyday lives such as perfume, dye, flavouring and preserving food and even some types of medicine.

================

Good work, girls. you covered almost all, also to add, spices couldn't be cultivated in Europe (too cool) and only available in SEA. Hence the British were so interested in SEA...

# data[].attributes.body
There was the spice trade in Southeast Asia and the British would use the spices fir many purposes.

================

Not just the purposes of spices but the fact that they could only be found in SEA and not Europe. spices were worth a lot hence the British were so interested in SEA, for the lucrative spice trade

# data[].attributes.body
Because exotic spices don’t grow in colder climates such as Europe, the colourful and fragrant aromas seemed very exotic and magical to the Europeans and Europeans thought the spices could cure disease.

====================

Yes, spices could not be cultivated in cool Europe hence the British had to come to SEA. spices had many purposes therefore trading them helped the British make a lot of $$

# data[].attributes.body
They were believed to be able to cure diseases. Spices were also used to make perfumes, dyes, medicine, and, flavour and preserve food. They were only grown in Asia, Middle East and Northeast Africa, so the British had to travel to Southeast Asia to find and trade for the spices.

========================

Yes, valid points. since spices were so useful, trading them made British rich, hence they were interested to come to SEA

# data[].attributes.body
Spices are important because it can be used in lots of foods to add flavour and make food taste much better. Spices were considered a status symbol in Britain. They also seemed very exotic and the British used it to flavour and preserve food, as well as make perfume and medicine. They also believed that spices could cure diseases and thus it became more and more expensive. The spices were unable to grow in European countries during winter as it was too cold so they had to come to Southeast Asia to trade for spices instead of growing it themselves.

==================

Good work, girls. Yes, to add on, spice trade was very profitable for Europeans, hence the British were interested to come to SEA

# data[].attributes.body
Over 95% of imports and exports by volume, and 75% by value still pass through the country's ports. Cargo: Much of the cargo entering and leaving Britain is in the form of raw materials – oil, chemicals, petroleum, ores, grains and feedstuffs – the commodities needed to fuel the economy. The other ports that they had were not as good a location as Singapore.

========================

Really? is this related to the video? Please watch the video carefully

# data[].attributes.body
As spices could not be cultivated in places that were cold such as Europe, only other parts of the world such as the Middle East, Asia, and North-East Africa could grow spices, which increased the demand from the Europeans. Moreover, during the plague, the Elizabethans thought that the spice, Nutmeg, could treat the plague, which also increased demand for the spice, adding to the value of the spice on the market. Moreover, with the range of uses for the spices, from flavouring and preserving food, to creating perfumes and dyes, the Europeans were fascinated by the exotic spices which led to the demand increase from the Europeans.

======================

Good work girls. as you have mentioned that spices could not be cultivated in Europe and had so many functions and demand for spices was high- trading spices made British rich hence they were so interested in SEA.

# data[].attributes.body
The British were interested in spices found in SEA, as spices could not be cultivated in cold countries such as Europe, and could only be grown in places like the Middle East, Asia and North Africa. Additionally, the Elizabethans also thought that nutmeg could treat the plague, and thus its value increased. Spices were also extremely colourful and flavourful.

====================

Your responses are relevant for the question in the first post but not this.

you need to watch and listen to the videos carefully... it's not about SEA and spices but INDIA and CHINA

# data[].attributes.body
The British wanted Chinese tea from China while the Chinese’s wanted opium from the British. So, they traded their goods and the British grew poppy plants in India.

=====================

Yes, India-China trade was important for the British. However, what had this to do with SEA?

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
The British were interested in the tea which China produced so they traded the tea with the opium which is grown in India and that is what the Chinese craved for.

=====================

Yes, India-China trade was important for the British. However, what had this to do with SEA?

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
China possessed tea, which the British loved, but the Emperor refused to trade in exchange for the “useless things of the British”. However, the British knew that opium could be the only solution as it was highly sought after in China even though it was considered illegal. Furthermore, the British had opium and poppies which they grew in India which were processed in factories in a colossal scale, and finally shipped and sold to smugglers, which led a profit which the British gained.

==================

Yes, India-China trade was important for the British. Huge profits could be made from trade with India and China.

However, what had this to do with SEA?

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
The British managed to get control of India and the British colony was getting larger and larger, and they were making money. The British also wanted the Chinese tea, and traded opium for the tea. With the profit, they could get tea and their trade was flourishing. So, the Europeans were interested in colonies too, but could not sustain what they got.

========================

I guess the British wanted the colonies because it would make it easier for them to get the raw materials they wanted plus build factories in these countries and to trade freely in their colonies.

good that you girls picked this up.

Back to question. why the British were interested in SEA? Yes, India-China trade was important for the British. However, what had this to do with SEA?

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
The British wanted the Chinese tea that china grew but the emperor wouldn’t sell it to them.

=====================

then what did the British manage to sell to China in the end?

What about India?

What role did India play in this India-China trade that the British were so interested in?

Lastly, what had India-China trade got to do with SEA?

# data[].attributes.body
Raffles settled on the island of Singapore because of its position at the southern tip of the Malay peninsula, near the Straits of Malacca, and its excellent natural harbour, fresh water supplies, and timber for repairing ships. Most importantly, it was unoccupied by the Dutch.

====================v

valid points

# data[].attributes.body
The Chinese grew tea leaves to brew tea which attracted the British, who desperately wanted the Chinese to trade their tea. However the Chinese did not want to. The british grew a lot of opium and then they shipped it to china and sold them to smugglers since many people in china were addicted to opium. The British then bought tea with profits they earned.

=====================

Yes, India-China trade was important for the British.

However, what had this to do with SEA?

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
The British grew a lot of opium poppies in India, and shipped them to china to sell. Using the profits from selling the opium, they would buy tea leaves from the Chinese.

=================

Yes, India-China trade was important for the British. However, what had this to do with SEA?

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
Because China was the only country that could produce tea. However China did not want to trade with the British. But the British were desperate hence they traded opium to the Chinese smugglers who were more desperate for it and the British used the profits to buy tea.

===========================

and India produced opium which could be sold to China, helping British make $$

So, India-China trade was important for the British.

However, what had this to do with SEA?

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
China had tea leaves which were used to make tea and China was the most producer of them. The British wanted to have tea/tea leaves. The British wanted to trade the tea with different British items, but China did not want them, they wanted Opium although it was illegal in China. The British planted Opium in India and traded it with China for the tea.

======================

Yes, India-China trade was important for the British.

However, what had this to do with SEA?

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
The Chinese created tea, which the British desired. However, with the Chinese emperor refusing to trade with them, the British decided to find another way to gain profit, through the highly sought after item- opium. With their mass manufacture of opium poppies, shipping to China and making money from smugglers, the British quickly gained profit.

=====================

Yes, India-China trade was important for the British. However, what had this to do with SEA?

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
They begged the Emperor for tea and offered British toys, but the Emperor was unimpressed and rejected his offer. However, the British grew poppy plants in India and sold opium to the Chinese and many people were addicted to it. Then, they traded the opium for tea in China.

=====================

yes, by selling opium to China, the British could 'balance' their trade otherwise they would be losing $$ through buying tea from China and China not buying anything from the British...

However, what had this to do with SEA?

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
More than 12 million Chinese peasants were addicted to opium which was the one thing the British had to trade for tea and the ban that was imposed in china was widely ignored.

The British had factories in India which were used to make an enormous amount of opium. Both the British and the Chinese both benefited from this opium trade.

==========================

Yes, India-China trade was important for the British.

However, what had this to do with SEA?

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
China was the only country that produced tea, so the British has to come to Southeast Asia to trade the opium they grew in India for tea.

=====================

Yes, but why SEA?

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
India grew spices and opium so the British established the British east India company to manufacture goods.

=======================

What about China? Need to look at China as well... how are India and China related?

Next, SEA... how was SEA involved in the British trade with India and China?

look at the location of SEA.... can you see why SEA was important for the British?

# data[].attributes.body
The Dutch believed that Singapore belonged to the Riau Archipelago and therefore to the Dutch East Indies

===========================

i don't think the video mentioned Singapore though... please watch it again

# data[].attributes.body
The Asian market in the seventeenth century was the largest at the time and spices were in great demand throughout Europe. Nutmeg was among the most precious, but it was only cultivated on Indonesia’s Banda Islands. Later on, it was colonised by the Dutch through genocide-like population control. British trading ships were heavily taxed at Dutch ports, stifling British trade in the region. Raffles hoped to challenge the Dutch by establishing a new port along the Straits of Malacca, the main ship passageway for the India-China trade. Hence, the motivation.

=====================

good effort girls.

yes, from the video, you would learn that the Dutch monopolised the spice trade in the East Indies and the Dutch VOC was colonising territories and had control over the sea routes between Europe and Asia. The British had to do something or else they lose their footing in SEA.

# data[].attributes.body
The Dutch wanted to claim more power and wanted to make the investors rich for the company’s long term survival. After killing many villagers, they had claimed the island and were making a lot of money. That was the Dutch golden age. The British wanted to make as much money as them, and attempted to take control of Singapore.

===================

Good effort girls.

since you know that the Dutch had power and VOC was making money, from the spice trade with East Indies.

you would have come across the point that the VOC was dominating the spice trade and attempting to seize lands in SEA. if the British did not do something in SEA, they would lose their chance in dominating trade in SEA

# data[].attributes.body
China possessed tea and the British liked the tea a lot and China wanted to trade their tea with the British for opium since the British had to come to Southeast Asia.

========================

Yes, India-China trade was important for the British.

However, what had this to do with SEA?

Look at the location of SEA... it is 'between' India and China. British ships on their way to and fro India and China would pass SEA. The British could buy and sell things in SEA, on their way to India or China. Hence British very interested in SEA as SEA was a gateway to India & China.

# data[].attributes.body
Sir Stamford Raffles came to the island Singapore as it was located at the southern tip of the Malay peninsula, which is also near the Straits of Malacca, and has great natural harbour, and abundance of fresh water supplies. The most important reason was that it was unoccupied by the Dutch.

==================

valid points

# data[].attributes.body
The British saw that the Dutch were making a lot of money and also wanted a similar business

========================

ok, you have summed up concisely in two sentences :)

it's all about Dutch monopoly in East Indies (Indonesia) and in the spice trade.

Since the Dutch were so dominant, the British had to appear in SEA or else they would not have the chance to benefit from the trade in SEA

# data[].attributes.body
They were impressed by singapores sheltered harbour and accessible drinking water. They also found out that they might be able to come to an agreement with the local rulers. Singapore had an advantage of geographical and local which they could desire

=================

valid points

# data[].attributes.body
British trading ships were heavily taxed at Dutch ports, stifling British trade in the region. Raffles reasoned that the way to challenge the Dutch was to establish a new port in the region. Existing British ports were not in a strategic enough position to become major trading centres.

===========================

well, not wrong... the British were indeed charged high taxes when they used Dutch ports, in fact when they passed the ports, they had to pay the Dutch!

hence, the British felt they needed their own ports and not be at the mercy of the Dutch.

however, according to video- it also shows that the Dutch were dominating East Indies and the spice trade. the British wanted a portion of this lucrative trade. the British had to secure their presence in SEA or else the Dutch might take all of SEA?

# data[].attributes.body
-unoccupied by the Dutch (most important reason)

-had accessibility to drinking water (they were impressed by this)

-its location at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula

-may be able to come to a compromise with its local rulers

==========================

valid points

# data[].attributes.body
First, William Farquhar and Raffles decided to go to Karimun Islands to establish a port, however, everyone thought that the rocky island and its inhospitable harbour was unsuitable. At that point, Captain Daniel Ross suggested they build a port in Singapore, hence Singapore was selected.

Next, they were impressed by Singapore’s sheltered harbour and accessible drinking water. In addition, they realised that they could come to an agreement with local rulers.

Finally, Raffles wrote a letter to Lord Hastings on 15 February 1819, stating that the port in Singapore was in “a situation combining every advantage of geographical and local which we could desire”.

===================

valid points

# data[].attributes.body
British trading ships were heavily taxed at Dutch ports, stifling British trade in the region. Raffles reasoned that the way to challenge the Dutch was to establish a new port in the region. Existing British ports were not in a strategic enough position to become major trading centres.

However, Singapore's location along the Maritime Silk Road meant it was easy for traders to stop by with goods. When Singapore was set up as a free port in 1819, it allowed goods to be traded freely without anyone having to pay heavy fees.

====================

good effort. you are right, the Dutch charged the British high taxes for using Dutch ports in the East Indies. this is because the Dutch dominated East Indies hence could set up ports in the East Indies.

more importantly, the Dutch were monopolising the spice trade in East Indies. if the British didn't do anything to establish a port to trade, they might not be able to, when the Dutch spread their control in this region

# data[].attributes.body
There was a failure of the British ports that have already been setup in Bencoolen and Penang. These ports could not be a navel base protecting ships travelling towards China. Bencoolen was also far away from the trade route between British and China. The British set up a port in Singapore was the need to facilitate the lucrative trade that British has with China. Penang becoming the port of call was cancelled due to its lack of natural resources-timber to facilitate ship repairing and building. Therefore, the importance to sustain and facilitate this lucrative trade route formed the factor that facilitated all other reasons to setting up a new port in Singapore.

==============

yes, Penang and Bencoolen that were British ports were inferior, couldn't British trade, couldn't attract traders. the British were losing $$.

meanwhile, the India-China trade was growing in importance. if the British did not set up a port in SG or around SG, the British traders had no meeting point or rest stops when travelling to China or back from China. this would hurt their traders.

# data[].attributes.body
Nutmeg was in high demand in Europe, but it was only grown in the Banda islands, which the Dutch had conquered. The British wanted part of the nutmeg trade as it was very profitable and so they were motivated to set up a port in Singapore, which was close to Indonesia.

======================

good, you have grasped some understanding of the video. the Dutch were so dominant in East Indies (Indonesia) and the spice trade. and spice trade was profitable right? the British got FOMO and wanted some of this trade. not forgetting, the Dutch was seizing lands in East Indies. this meant that Dutch presence in East Indies was strong. if the British didn't do anything, they would not have any chance in trade in SEA.

# data[].attributes.body
With the heavy demand for the prized spice, nutmeg, the Dutch set their eyes upon the famed Banda Islands for their cultivation of nutmeg, the Dutch eventually colonised the Bandanese through slavery, torture, and acts of genocide. With the heavily taxed passings through Dutch colonies, the British also wanted to build a port in a favourable place so as to stand against the Dutch’s reign.

==================

good, you have grasped some understanding of the video. basically the British wanted part of the lucrative spice trade that the Dutch was enjoying. Yes, the Dutch managed to colonise islands of East Indies (Indonesia). the British had to show up here so that they could trade and make $ through spice trade too

# data[].attributes.body
The initials of VOC stood for Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie known as the Dutch east India company. It started in 1602 and had been going on until the 20th century. This organisation was very profitable and conducted a lot of trades and Started to have war with the bandanese . The Dutch east India company bought a prized commodity under their control and their profits soared. Thus becoming one of the most profitable companies in history.

===================

good attempt. yes, now that you know that the Dutch VOC was making a lot of money through trade (spices and in East Indies), can you see why the British were so interested in SEA???

if the British did not establish ports or control the sea routes here, they might not have the chance as the Dutch spread their control

# data[].attributes.body
How did the Chinese smugglers manage to sneak opium into China? Why did the British really and desperately want to acquire tea? Was it for trade, business, or was it for their own purposes and desires?

====================

ANSWER:

Back in those days, border/coastal security (?) in China wasn't stringent. it was possible to smuggle opium via land or sea. China was huge and there were many ways to enter China.

Tea- somehow became a favourite/popular drink in Britain and in Europe. Started with the Portuguese who discovered tea in China. and the Dutch who brought tea to Europe. People of status drank tea- tea was a status symbol in the early years. later also, the British discovered the benefits of tea-drinking. thus trading tea allowed British traders to make a lot of money. it was not until the British cultivated tea on their own, in India, that this demand of tea from China decreased...

# data[].attributes.body
Why did they want to be part of the spice trade? Didn’t they have many other things to trade.

====================

ANSWER:

Spices were black gold back in those days. yes they had other things to trade like opium and tea (with China and India) but spices were what the Europeans wanted and could not cultivate in Europe (only in Asia) This made spices very valuable. anyone who traded spices became very rich.

# data[].attributes.body
Why were the British so desperate for tea to the point they started selling opium to china ?

====================

ANSWER:

The British LOVED tea. other Europeans too. Selling tea made money. But tea was available only from China.

Buying tea from China made China rich but British were not rich as China DID NOT want to buy anything from the British.

the solution was OPIUM. this was something China could buy from the British and the British could make money at last .... as it is millions of Chinese were addicted to opium. it was $-making opportunity for the British!

# data[].attributes.body
The Dutch wanted control over the nutmeg in Indonesia but the villagers on the island refused so the Dutch chose violence and invaded the island to take over them. They made a lot of money selling the nutmeg and the British also wanted to be rich so they followed the Dutch. The British then decided to establish a port in Singapore.

========================

Yes, good you are right. the Dutch were making money through spice trade with East Indies (Indonesia) how could the British miss this?

More importantly, if the British didn't take action, the Dutch might control the whole region and the British might miss the chance to make $

# data[].attributes.body
Why did the Chinese want to trade specifically with the British for opium?

If Penang and Bencoolen was too far away from the trade route between British and China, then why did they set up the trading port in the first place?

====================

China traded specifically with the British for opium because the British were the Europeans who cultivated opium in India. and since the British were buying so much tea from China (and losing money...), the British came up with the plan of selling something that the Chinese 'needed' and would be addicted to, which is opium. British were the prominent Europeans in China and they were the ones cultivating and selling opium to China.

Penang was chosen by the British because the British wanted a port that was 'along the Straits of Melaka' so that British ships traveling between India and China or Europe and China, could stop here. Melaka was not available at that time (it was Dutch-controlled) and the best choice was Penang...

as for Bencoolen, it was because of the spice trade, since Bencoolen was in the East Indies where spices were produced. it could be that other areas in East Indies were already controlled by the Dutch, the British had no other choices.

# data[].attributes.body
The British needed a port ensure safety of ships, secure trade with China. Thye also needed a new port because some of their other ports like Penang and Bencoolen had failed. This resulted in the need for a search of a place that was suitable to play the role as both a naval base, as well as a port for ships to refuel, restock, so as to facilitate trade with China. They chose Singapore, a SEA country, because of geographical location, which was able facilitate lucrative trade that the British had with China. As such, Singapore fulfilled all the above requirements for a new port.

===============

yes, the British needed a port of their own that was in a good location to protect their traders and at the same time enjoy the lucrative spice trade as well as trade with India and China. British ships needed to stop on their way to and fro China, hence a port like SG was needed.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Singapore was a sheltered harbour

2. Drinking water was easily accessible

3. They might be able to come to an a agreement with the locals

==========================

valid points

# data[].attributes.body
The VOC was a Dutch East India (Indonesia) company. When this company was created, it could wage war and conduct diplomacy.

Nutmeg were grown in Indonesia and could be sold for high prices. The Dutch wanted to take control over Indonesia’s nutmegs as it could make their investors rich.

Rich men called kaya sold nutmeg and the Dutch wanted to have it. The Dutch built forts to control the trade.

The British were inspired and influenced by the perspective of the Dutch. That was a spice blooming period, as spice was very prized during that time, the British thought controlling some parts of Asia and selling the spices over there/trading is a good way of making money too.

===================

good effort girls. i hope you saw that the Dutch were clearly monopolising the trade in East Indies... making lots of money. The British wouldn't want to miss out. moreover, the Dutch were entrenching themselves here. if the British did not establish a port near East Indies (where the Dutch were), the British might not be able to do so... hence they needed to do so quickly and make money from spice trade

# data[].attributes.body
The British managed to take control of SEA trade after the war, but had to return all Dutch colonies according to key letters. Furthermore, the Dutch also banned the British from trading in the Dutch colonies except for Batavia, which the British had to pay high taxes so that the Dutch would make as much profit as they can. This act was the threat to the economy of Britain. Without being able to trade or refuel at the Dutch colonies, the British had to establish another colony.

Then, the British found Singapore and established a port there.

=====================

yes, the Dutch ports in the East Indies (Indonesia) were largely inaccessible for the British. the British could not trade freely or make as much $ as they wanted. having their own port could protect their own traders, enabling them to make money, rest while traveling to and fro China.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Singapore was chosen, by virtue of its strategic geographical location, to compete with other ports under the control of the Dutch.

2. because of its position at the southern tip of the Malay peninsula, near the Straits of Malacca, and its excellent natural harbor, fresh water supplies, and timber for repairing ships.

3. Raffles hoped to challenge the Dutch by establishing a new port along the Straits of Malacca, the main ship passageway for the India-China trade.

====================

valid points

# data[].attributes.body
Why were the British so selfish and had to invade a bandanese society just for their own benefit?

====================

ANSWER:

I think you're referring to the Dutch? The British were not in Banda... it was the Dutch. The Dutch wanted the nutmeg and other spices that made a lot of money for the Dutch. But the Bandanese were selling the nutmeg at high prices to the Dutch. The Bandanese rebelled against the Dutch. naturally the Dutch had to fight back by forcibly occupying Banda.

You can watch the video on the 3rd post

# data[].attributes.body
The nutmeg was among the most precious. However, they could only get it in Indonesia’s Banda Island. Therefore, Raffles hoped to challenge the Dutch by establishing a new port along the Straits of Malacca, which was the main ship passageway for India-China trade.

=========================

good point girls. yes, the British wanted a share of the lucrative spice trade. hence it was important they had a port in SG or around SG so that they could trade spices. otherwise, over time, the Dutch might control the whole region and the British would not be able to enjoy the spice trade.

# data[].attributes.body
The British saw that the Dutch’s business was making a lot of money and they wanted to do the same. :)

================

i hope you saw from the video how the VOC was making money in the nutmeg trade... plus how the Dutch were spreading their control in the East Indies.

The British must not lose out to the Dutch. some presence and control near the East Indies was crucial for the British to trade and make money

# data[].attributes.body
There was a high demand for nutmeg in Europe at that time and hence the Dutch went to invade Indonesia. The British was then motivated to challenge the Dutch as their other ports were not as good as Dutch’s Indonesia port. By establishing a port in Singapore, they could also further grow their company

=========================

good points girls. you would see from the video that the Dutch were dominating in East Indies (Indonesia) and the spice trade. hence, the British needed a port near East Indies to protect the British trade and earn from the lucrative spice trade... it's all about the money

# data[].attributes.body
Although The Karimun Islands were the British’s first choice for the establishment for the port, the rocky environment made the British decide it was unsuitable. Quote Sir Stamford Raffles “the geographical and local position is what we desire” when writing to Lord Hastings about Singapore, which was the reason why the British colonised Singapore

====================

plus drinking water, sheltered harbour, and location good for British India-China trade

# data[].attributes.body
Why didn’t the British chose a different SEA country other than Singapore?

==================

SG was chosen because the British wanted a PORT. other areas in SEA might be landlocked areas- not what the British needed for maritime trade. lastly, the British needed a place where they could enjoy the spice trade and be able to trade with India and China. ships needed to stop over during long journeys, hence SG was chosen. any ship traveling between Europe and Asia or India and China must pass SG.

# data[].attributes.body
The British needed to facilitate the profitable trade with China due to the failure of their other ports in that area and also needed to break the Dutch’s monopoly over trades in South East Asia. The Malay Archipelago was the Center of trade in Southeast Asia and the British thought they could make a huge profit so they traded there. However, the Dutch still had control over the trade at Southeast Asia, so the British had to set up a port there. But the location was not very accessible and they found another port, which was Singapore.

==================

yes, valid points. the British could not rely on Dutch ports as they were too costly for the British to use. the British were at the mercy of the Dutch.

as trade with India-China was important for the British, having a port that was between India and China was important for the British traders who could trade peacefully and rest on their sea journeys.

# data[].attributes.body
The British needed a port for secure lucrative trade with china, to check the spread of Dutch Superiority in South East Asia, a port of call to ensure safety of ships and failure of current ports.The British facing the pressing needed to set up a port in south east Asia. The breaking of the Dutch monopoly over trade in South East Asia was one of the major reasons that had resulted in the British setting up a port in SEA. The Malay archipelago had become great trading centre in the SEA region during the 19th century.

==============

yes valid points, the British wanted the lucrative spice trade that the Dutch enjoyed. the existing British ports Bencoolen and Penang were inferior and did not benefit British trade. a port like SG would ensure that the British could trade smoothly and benefit from the India-China trade. it was important that their traders had a place to stopover on their way to and fro India and China

# data[].attributes.body
1. The karimun islands had already signed a treaty with the British to establish a port there, however the island was too rocky and inhospitable.

2. They were impressed with the accessible drinking water and sheltered harbour.

3. They also found that they were able to come to an agreement with the local rulers.

=====================

valid points

# data[].attributes.body
The British needed to facilitate the lucrative trade that the British had with China due to the failure of their other ports in the area and also the need to break the Dutch’s monopoly over trade in South East Asia. During the early 19th century, the Malay Archipelago became the centre of trade activities.

=======================

yes, Bencoolen and Penang were in poor locations and didn't help British increase trade. this was made worse by Dutch's dominance in East Indies (Indonesia) and the British could not trade properly. next, India-China trade was crucial for the British so the British needed a port between India and China to allow the British traders to rest and stopover.

# data[].attributes.body
The British decided that they needed to facilitate the lucrative trade that British had with China. The failure of Bencoolen and Penang ports therefore resulted in the need to search for a place to set up a new port in SEA which is more accessible and played a role as both a naval base and a port for ships to refuel, restock so as to facilitate trade with China.

=================

yes the port between India and China was definitely for refuel, restock while en route to China and India. the port was vital in protecting British ships since the Dutch ports were hostile to British ships. next, the new port was also near East Indies, where spices were.

lastly, the new port must be able to attract traders so the British could make money through trade

# data[].attributes.body
The British needed a new port as the other ports in Penang and Bencoolen had failed. The spice trade was also in high demand and would be profitable for the economy. The Dutch had also set up many ports in Southeast Asia but did not allow British ships to dock or resupply there, thus they British needed to set up a new port so that traders from Britain would have a port to rest and trade in. Another reason for a new port was the opium-silk trade with China. They needed a port close enough to China so that they could carry out with their trading. Hence, it was important for the British to set up a port in Southeast Asia.

========================

yes, apart from spice trade, it was also the India-China trade that pushed the British to find a better port that was SG. SG as a British port, could protect British ships and allowed them to rest, stop, refuel and even trade with traders around SG.

good that you mentioned Penang and Bencoolen being not beneficial for British traders and the Dutch monopoly in East Indies.

# data[].attributes.body
Why would the British and Dutch fight over the colonies? They could have worked together.

====================

ANSWER:

when it comes to $ and power and prestige- would you cooperate and work with others? :)

Europeans were proud people. they wanted prestige.

these colonies could make a lot of money (raw materials, trade etc) why would they share with other Europeans? whoever controlled the colonies could attain wealth and status....

anyway, the Dutch in general... were hostile and aggressive so they would never work together with the British :x

# data[].attributes.body
After the war between the Bandanese and the Dutch for Nutmeg trades, the Bandanese became the Dutch Eat India Company’s colonial subjects. The Dutch prohibited the British from operating in Dutch-controlled port. Hence the British hoped to challenge the Dutch by establishing a port in Singapore

=================================

good work girls, you know that the Dutch had controlled and dominated the nutmeg (spice) trade in East Indies (Indonesia). you also mentioned that the Dutch prohibited the British from operating in Dutch controlled ports. this is true, as the British traders were charged exorbitant taxes when they used the Dutch ports.

thus, the British knew they had to find their own port to protect their own interests....

# data[].attributes.body
British needed a port as
-secure lucrative trade with china
-check the spread of the dutch superiority in SEA
-a port of call to ensure safety of ships
-failure of current ports

-breaking of dutch monopoly over trade in SEA

In the early 19th century, the Malay Archipelago was a great trading center in the SEA with the Malay Archipelago being the center of trade activities. It was rich with natural resources, like spices, that were of great demand in Europe, and they were sold at low prices in it. The Europeans saw this as a market to trade since they could gain huge profits from this trade, participating in this trade meant that they would gain a great source of income.

======================

SG as a port could protect British trading ships and hopefully attract traders to SG.

SG as a port ensured that British could trade with both Indian and Chinese traders.

lastly, the British needed to break Dutch monopoly in East Indies. A better port would diversify trading ships from Dutch ports to British ports.

# data[].attributes.body
Why were the British so obsessed with tea ☕️☕️☕️

====================

ANSWER:

it became a kind of status symbol. it was for leisure and one queen drank tea and tea got trendy...

later, the British could sell to other Europeans, and make $, so why not?

tea is still something the British drink til today... afternoon teas with cookies and cakes lol...

# data[].attributes.body
They were impressed by Singapore sheltered harbour and accessible drinking water. They also found that they might be able to be in agreement with the local rulers. Singapore also had a good location on the map.

=================

valid points

# data[].attributes.body
The breaking of the Dutch monopoly over trade in SEA was one of the major reasons that had resulted in the British setting up a port in SEA.

================

don't forget, India-China trade. plus protecting the British traders/ships. they had a port to stop, rest, refuel, restock...

Also don't forget, British existing ports- Bencoolen and Penang which were not ideal at all. they did not help British improve trade or make a lot of money

# data[].attributes.body
They needed another port because Penang and Bencoolen lacked their natural resource of timber. Penang and Bencoolen were already set up in SEA but they were unable to protect ships travelling to china because of their many short comings. Bencoolen was too far from the main trade road to be used as a refueling point since the ship had to travel further off course.

===================

yes, Bencoolen and Penang definitely had issues. however, we need to bring in the Dutch as well, they were hostile to British traders using Dutch ports. The Dutch were dominating in the East Indies (Indonesia)

lastly, need to include India-China trade- that was the reason why the British needed a new port- in a location where India-China traders could trade freely with the British.

Penang was also too far away from the main trade road. Because this two British port had failed, the British had to set up another port in SEA which is more accessible so that it can be used as both a naval base and a port for ship to refuel, restock, to facilitate trade with China.

The Dutch monopoly over trade was also a major reason why the British had to set up a port in SEA. The Malay archipelago had lots of spices and were sold at low prices. The Europeans saw that they could read huge profits from this trade. The Dutch also made it unable for the British to trade at any Dutch port except for Batavia.

Thus, the British had to set up a port in SEA to be able to trade for spice.

# data[].attributes.body
Why did China want to trade their tea for something as bad as opium?

====================

ANSWER:

I think China didn't intend to buy opium just so it could destroy its people. the Chinese did use opium for medicinal purpose like pain relief or as a relaxant. but the use of opium wasn't widespread...

it was the British who smuggled opium into China. the Chinese bought, they used, they got addicted and they kept buying more ILLEGALLY... the Chinese government could not stop the opium trade. when they tried, China and Britain got into a conflict known as the Opium War which China lost a few times, resulting in a loss of Chinese territories and the British continued selling opium to China...

# data[].attributes.body
Singapore had sheltered harbour, abundance of clean drinking water and a good geographical location that would benefit the Britain-China trade.

=============

valid points

# data[].attributes.body
Singapore had sheltered harbour and accessible drinking water and they found that they might be able to come with an agreement with the local rulers.

====================

valid points

# data[].attributes.body
Why did the British want tea from china so much and who was the tea for?

====================

ANSWER:

it became a kind of status symbol. it was for leisure and one queen drank tea and tea got trendy...

later, the British could sell to other Europeans, and make $, so why not?

tea is still something the British drink til today... afternoon teas with cookies and cakes lol...

# data[].attributes.body
The British were impressed by Singapore’s sheltered harbour and accessible drinking water. They also found that they might be able to come to an agreement with local rulers. Singapore also combines every advantage of geographical and local which the British could desire

====================

valid points

# data[].attributes.body
Sir Stamford Raffles settled in Singapore as Captain Daniel suggested to go to singapore. Singapore's excellent location along the Maritime Silk Road meant it was easy for traders to stop by with goods. When Singapore was set up as a free port in 1819, it allowed goods to be traded freely without anyone having to pay heavy fees. This policy, coupled with Singapore's strategic geographical location – lying on the sea route between India and China and thus easily accessible to ships and junks from around the region and afar – and natural deep-water harbour, attracted numerous vessels to call at its port. Singapore was chosen, by virtue of its strategic geographical location, to compete with other ports under the control of the Dutch.

==================

valid points

# data[].attributes.body
The other ports that the British controlled had failed. Bencoolen was too far away from the main trade route to be used as a refueling point for ships. Penang was also unable to facilitate as a naval base and had a lack of natural resources.

The British also had to facilitate the lucrative trade they had with China, which was being threatened since the Dutch dominated the control of trade in SEA and did not allow the British to trade at the Dutch ports. Thus, they ended up choosing Singapore to set up a port because of its geographical location.

==================

yes, points are valid.

the British needed a port that could protect their traders as they travelled to and fro India and China. the port should ideally be 'in between' India and China.

this would allow the British to use their own ports and not the Dutch who charged the British high taxes.

# data[].attributes.body
in 1819 , the British wanted to establish a trading post at the southern end of the straits of Malacca. Raffles did not want the Dutch to extend their influences over the whole of the ancient territories of Johor and thwart British trade with China. When raffles arrived in Singapore, They were impressed by Singapore’s sheltered harbour and accessible drinking water. He thought that Singapore’s location had a geographical and local advantage and thus began the British rule over Singapore for the next 144 years.

====================

valid points

# data[].attributes.body
What other reasons are there for the British’s choice in Singapore?

Why couldn’t the Dutch and the British agree with each other?

Why didn’t the Dutch choose Singapore as their port?

=====================

ANSWER:

SG was chosen because the British wanted a PORT. other areas in SEA might be landlocked areas- not what the British needed for maritime trade. lastly, the British needed a place where they could enjoy the spice trade and be able to trade with India and China. ships needed to stop over during long journeys, hence SG was chosen. any ship traveling between Europe and Asia or India and China must pass SG.

Secondly, when it comes to $ and power and prestige- would you cooperate and work with others? :)

Europeans were proud people. they wanted prestige.

these colonies could make a lot of money (raw materials, trade etc) why would they share with other Europeans? whoever controlled the colonies could attain wealth and status.... spice trade was a controlled trade and very precious to the Dutch. they would not share with the British. the British must fight for their own share...

anyway, the Dutch in general... were hostile and aggressive so they would never work together with the British :x

Thirdly, Dutch wasn't interested in SG... SG didn't have raw materials, natural resources like spice unlike East Indies. They did not see the potential of SG as a port. SG was a tiny island, the Dutch were more interested in building their presence in East Indies... SG wasn't on their radar...

# data[].attributes.body
Why did the British choose Singapore instead of other countries?

==================

ANSWER:

SG was chosen because the British wanted a PORT. other areas in SEA might be landlocked areas- not what the British needed for maritime trade. lastly, the British needed a place where they could enjoy the spice trade and be able to trade with India and China. ships needed to stop over during long journeys, hence SG was chosen. any ship traveling between Europe and Asia or India and China must pass SG.

SG was not 'owned' by another European power so the British could take SG

# data[].attributes.body
Why are the Dutch so cruel?

How did the British people have so much opium?

=====================

ANSWERS:

yes, sadly they were cruel, they wanted lands, natural resources which could make them money. Greed drove them to use violence and force when they could not get what they wanted from the locals in East Indies. Since the locals in East Indies were not militarily advanced as the Dutch, using force would make the locals give in to the Dutch and Dutch could control the lands.

The British had so much opium because they cultivated it in INDIA. India was part of the British empire so the British controlled the land in India and there were companies to own plantations and grow opium. the British easily got the people of India to grow opium through cheap Indian labourers...

# data[].attributes.body
1. Sheltered harbour

2. Accessible drinking water

3. They might be able to come to an agreement with the local rulers to set up a port here

======================

valid points