Look at title of the chart, table or graph

Examine the legend (chart/graph) to know what the date represents

Study the dates/time interval

Look for trends or patterns of change

Scan the data to find out whether the numbers are moving upwards or downwards

Note the level of the increase or decrease

Use your historical knowledge to explain the changes

According to Source 1, how did Singapore benefit from being under the control of the EIC and the British India Government?

What is 'brotherhood' in secret societies? Why is brotherhood important?

What strengths or traits did William Pickering, the British protector of the Chinese possess?

What is/are the difference(s) between the secret societies in the past and present?

Why did piracy increase around the Straits of Melaka?

Why was it challenging for the British authorities to suppress piracy?

What are the impacts of piracy on early Singapore?

Is piracy a concern for Singapore today? Why or why not?

After reading the article, do you think the British authorities should suppress prostitution in Singapore? Explain your stand.

It is an upward trend, increasing in trade

As the years went by, Singapore grew as a trading port and total incomes grew by a lot.

We think that graphs are a better way to represent the data as we can see the trends increasing more clearly

The trade of Singapore was increasing, decreased in 1933 and regained trade in 1938

More traders came to Singapore so Singapore grew as a trading port in 1933, the trades fell which could be due to the Great Depression resulting in the extremely low price of rubber .

A graph is better as we can compare the results with other years and it is more visible and obvious.

We observed that that from the year 1824-1923, the value of goods traded in SG increased. From the year 1923-1933, the value of trade drastically decreased. However, from 1933-1938 the value of trade increased.

As years went by, our port grew more prosperous with more traders stopping by, thus increasing our imports and exports from 1824-1923. However, the Great Depression hit and caused our imports and exports to have a downfall.

The table is a better way to represent data as we have clear numbers however, the graph can clearly show us the increase and decrease of the data in the Singapore’s traded.

The total trade gradually increases from 1824-1923. From 1923-1938, the total trade decreases and then increases again.

Singapore’s imports & exports increases from 1824-1923. From 1923-1938, its imports & exports decreases then increases again

I think a graph is a better way to represent data on Singapore’s trade. A graph is an easier way to show a visual demonstration of a large amount of data. Graphs also make data presentable and easy to understand.

The total trade of Singapore from 1824 to 1938 increased from $11.6m to $689.9m

There was an increased in Singapore’s imports and exports from 1824 to 1913, but the imports decreased in 1923 and the export remains constant. In 1933, the imports increased and the exports decreased.

A graph as we would be able to see the trend in one glance while for the data graph we need to read all the data and it is very time consuming

Trend

Before the 1820s, Singapore did not have any trade. However, from 1824 to 1923 Singapore's total value of trade increased to $975m. Then, in 1933 it started to decrease, but increased a little again the following year in 1934.

Reason

The increase from 1824 to 1923 was probably due to Farquhar as he set up businesses that attracted traders to Singapore and with the conditions that were favourable to Singapore, more people came. However, during 1933 I think piracy increased and there were more wars around Singapore, making it more dangerous to travel there.

Graph/ Table

I find that for the trends, the graph is easier to see and for the numbers the table is easier to see. This is because the from graph's trend you can easily tell how the value of goods increased and when, but not exactly by how much.

It is because Singapore was largely poverty stricken and was largely populated with immigrants, with pirate ships threatening maritime trade. The development of legal institutions could no longer keep pace with the growing population. Thus many crimes went unreported.

Pirate ships threatening maritime trade; secret societies; coolies and labour abuse

It is because working conditions were bad, wages were low and working hours were long.

Thomas Dunman raised the caliber of policemen by stressing on discipline among officers; he also implemented a pension scheme; helped fight rampant crime

The Chinese Protecteorate

Shoplifting; fraud cases; outrage of modesty

Poverty

Prostitution, gambling, drug dealing

The job was difficult

he raised the calibre of policemen by stressing on discipline amongst officers. By 1846, he had established rules and regulations for officers to adhere to, drew patrol sector boundaries and introduced a standard uniform for use. He also fought for better working conditions and wages, shorter hours and a pension scheme

Sikh Police Contingent, the Chinese Protectorate

Theft, assault, traffic violations

Yes as they have better equipment and more people

It is an upward trend, increasing in 1824 to 1913. However, there was a decrease in trade value and, in 1923 the trade was significantly lower.

From 1917 to 1923, the Second Great War was going on. This impacted the number of traders coming in to Singapore to trade their goods, lowering the number of imports in Singapore until 1923. With fewer traders coming to Singapore, the number of exports also decreased, affecting the total trade. After 1923, however, traders started to return again and the imports started increasing. However, the number of exports decreased as Singapore started to focus more on education rather than trade, with numerous schools being founded around this period.

We find that the graph is easier to read, as there are not too many values in the graph which affect how the graph is read. However, the graph is better to relay more information accurately, as it tells you the exact values.

I think a family stayed in this place as I think the object hanging from the ceiling is a bed or chair for someone to sit on. At that time, this room was considered a very big living space so this room was a house for families.

From the source, it is obvious that the living conditions of the Chinese immigrants were very poor. Since the immigrants have to use their money to buy food for their families, they have hardly any money left so they can only afford to buy or rent this tiny room for their families to live in. It was a very small room for families of 5/6 so that meant that they couldn’t even have enough space to sleep before a hard day at work.

Brotherhood was important so they could count on each other and protect each other like they were actually brothers.

He was powerful with aura and he taught the public dialect which was like their secret code of communication

In the past they focused on terrorism and getting money by threatening others with violence. In present day they do other things like drugs, trafficking

The centre’s executive director Krishnaswamy Natarajan said the increase in such incidents was driven by a socio-economic situation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, lower fish catch due to climate change and the prevailing Southwest monsoon. This has forced some locals living along the strait to turn to sea robbery and petty crimes to make ends meet. There are far too many opportunities available for the people in the region whoa re not economically sound, and who are looking to make a livelihood.

The Singapore Strait, which runs parallel to the nation’s south coast, had always been excellent for piracy. This was due to its heavy ship and abundant ambush locations on small, forested islands like Sentosa. Even after the Britains arrived, pirate plunder persisted. Singapore being a hub if free trade, arms trade, and easy recruitment of crews inadvertently encouraged piracy.

In early times piracy was a life of life, with rich pickings from passing ships. Pirates effectively controlled the Strait, often demanding tribute from ships and port authorities. Local rulers later took advantages from this, working with the pirates to take charge of the area and to fight off potential invaders.

No. Even though the number of sea robbery incidents confuses to rise sharply in Asia this year, with almost two-thirds of the total cases occurring in the Singapore Strait so far, the increase incidents were “not alarming”. Majority of the cases were classified as “least severe”, with the crew unharmed in most instances. Typically, these robberies were carried out under the cover of the night between 6pm and 6am. They usually target ships that are ill-prepare, manoeuvre at slow speed and have low freeboard-a deck that is lower and closer to the waterline, making it easier to board. Culprits often boarded vessels in small umbers, and were either unarmed or armed with knives and sticks. The report said the perpetrators were largely non-confrontational and escaped when noticed by the crew. It added that the nature of the incidents were generally opportunistic and of lower severity. Commonly stolen items included ship stores, scarp metal and machinery  spares.

I think that the Singapore government should suppress prostitution because a lot of innocent girls who are often underage were lured into doing prostitution unwillingly. Although some people consider prostitution as their source of income, there are still many disadvantages of doing it, for example, there was a raise of sexually transmitted diseases and illnesses became rampant and epidemics swept through Chinatown, leading to the passing of the Contagious Disease Ordinance in 1870, requiring brothels to be registered and prostitutes to be examined medically for disease. Many people also committed suicide because of this. Overall, it also depends on that person and if they actually want to become a prostitute.

singapore was flourishing and growing in population and poverty-stricken immigrants yet they had no police

piracy, secret societies and gambling

the pay was not high and people did not want to be police officers

Dunman stressed on discipline among officers, established rules and regulations for police to adhere to, drew patrol sector boundaries and introduced a standard uniform for use. He also fought for better working conditions and wages, shorter hours and a pension scheme.

chinese protectorate

burglary, scams cyber crime

it is better now because its has a bigger force and is more advanced and people are not corrupted

Maintaining law and order was a challenge in the newly colonised Singapore. At first, a police force hadn’t been establised yet until William Farquhar set one up.

There was disorderly conduct like theft and murder.

The police will face violent acts of crime, including secret societies. The police force was woefully incapable of bringing the situation under control and often needed the assistance of army soldiers for assistance.

He improved the efficiency and training of the police force. Among the measures he introduced were improved pay and working hours for policemen, setting up training programmes and night classes for members of the force, and creating a pension scheme for retired policemen.

The british east india company (eic)

Pickpocketing, shoplifting and traffic violations

Yes, it is better, as the crime rate has dropped and less serious crimes have been committed.

Singapore was a free port and British were controlling get waters around Singapore and along the straits of Melaka where orang laut and pirates were. They didn’t like that they couldn’t control the area anymore which led to attacks on vessels and boats coming to Singapore

Many goods were lost and many lives were taken.

There is still piracy today but much lesser so it is still a concern

brotherhood means they could rely on each other during hard times and dangerous periods

William Pickering was clever

The secret societies in the past had focused on dangerous things such a terrorism while present day secret societies focused on keeping the citizens safe from drugs and trafficking

Singapore had a largely poverty-stricken immigrant population and pirate ships threatening maritime trade in its early years. The development of the legal institutions could not keep pace with the growing population so many crimes went unreported. Further exacerbating the problem was the lack of proper supervision in the police force and poor morale among the rank-and-file officers. Thus, crime rates increased.

Prostitution, gambling and secret societies were some common crimes.

Working conditions were not as good.

He raised the calibre of police by stressing on discipline amongst officers. He also established rules and regulations for officers to adhere to and drew patrol sector boundaries.

The Chinese Protectorate.

The current police force is better than the past. The police force has become more modernised and law & order has become more emphasised and crime is prevented better now.

it is a family room. As there are many things lying around and its cooped

It is very dirty and the living conditions were terrible

Singapore has a largely poverty-stricken immigrant population and pirate ships threatening the maritime trade which caused Singapore’s crime rate to increase in the early years. Many crimes went unreported and with the exacerbating problem okf the lack of proper supervision in the police force and poor morale among officers.

Piracy, Secret Societies, Prostitution.

People in the last used to be more invested in trading as a source of income, they also did not want to issue their lives and the pay given was not as high.

He raised the calibre of policemen by stressing on discipline amongst officers. He also established rules and regulations for officers to adhere to, drew patrol sector boundaries and introduced a standard uniform for us. Lastly, fought for better working conditions and wages, shorter hours and pension scheme.

The Chinese protectorate.

Theft, Disorderly conduct, Traffic violations

Yes, it is better. the SPF uses more orders technology and more manpower.

Brotherhood is important because this way the people in the secret societies can depend on each other in times of need like brothers would.

William Pickering possessed perseverance.

In the past, there was a lot more violence involved compared to the present.

I think this place the space was occupied by a family as the room was considered large and was able to fit one whole family there. The object hanging from the ceiling was used for babies to sleep in, thus showing that a family lived there with children and that more than one person lived there.

Source 2 tells me that the living conditions of the Chinese immigrants was very poor. The Chinese immigrants might not have a lot of money as the room was small and cramped for a whole family to live in. Plus, the place was very dirty and cramped, showing that their living conditions were not good.

Brotherhood was mutually healing each other in times of trouble and respecting each other’s womenfolk. Brotherhood is important as it helped refrain members from becoming police informants and due to the internal laws and they also could give assistance and no one would disrespect  each other. For example, they had to rescue each other when they were in trouble and also take care of each other’s parents if they were not here.

He was resilient and undaunted when faced with challenges. For example, he immersed himself into the daily lives of the immigrants in order to gain insights of furtive fellowships.

In the past, many of the secret societies stuck terror in people through numerous killings. The groups mainly consisted of only Cantonese and Southern China people. There were also internal laws in order to have secrecy. Some societies like Ghee Hin Kongsi also collected protection fees and would threaten you if you did not pay for it. They also lurched attack on competitors and took part in heavy riot. In the past, secret societies claimed much more lives and damaged more homes than the ones in the present. They also had more men in their society. In the present, an average of 112 rioting and serious hurt cases have been connected to secret societies in Singapore annually. The number of youths death with by the police for secret society-related offences has been an average of 153 annually.

So they had someone else to help them

He was intelligent and could speak multiple languages and could control riots

Brotherhood is something that’s makes the secret society stronger as the people in it always stick together and never quit. This makes them more bonded and stronger as they’ll stick together and help each other in need.

William Pickering had leadership.

People were desperate for money at that time so they resorted in crime to get money to supply their families overseas.

Trafficking, pickpocketing, theft

Immigrants they were weak and at that time being in the poilce force did not pay much.

Thomas Dunman raised the caliber of policemen by stressing on discipline among officers;he also implemented a pension scheme.

The Chinese Protectorate

Theft, disorderly conduct, traffic violations

Yes it is better. The SPF used better technology and more manpower.

a family. the room is very big compared to other houses in the same time and it is unlikely for one single person to live there. there is also LOTS OF STUFF and MANY BOWLS so there are many people

they do not have their own houses and can only live in shared living quarters. it is also very small and dirty

It was a sign secrecy, mutual help in times of trouble and respect for each others women folk.

“Brotherhood” is the way that the gang members treat each other (like family)

William Pickering was just and firm in his decisions and maintained law and order. He also spoke dialects which helps him converse and relate to the members of the secret societies.

In the past, secret societies did many illegal activities, they are very active in the past and is always going behind the governments backs. On the other hand, secret societies today are less active and do lesser illegal activities today.

They have poor living conditions as their house is very cluttered.

They should suppress it to a certain extent. The government should not allow trafficking of women from china to be put into brothels, but they should still allow prostitution in some aspects so that the people who control these brothels do not illegally go underground.

Brotherhood was very important, and it meant that secret society members had to help the other members, their ‘brothers’, in times of need.

One strength that William Pickering, the protector of the Chinese is perseverance. He did not give up when he faced challenges

One difference between secret societies from the past and the present is that the members of the secret societies now are mostly teenagers.

I think a family lives in it as there are way too many things to all belong to one person

Their living conditions were bad as a family had to all live in one room

Yes, we think the British should suppress prostitution in Singapore. These people were often lured into prostitution and were often subjected to beatings, and received little or no medical attention. Many of them also took their own lives as they could not escape from this. It also resulted in many people being riddled with diseases. Therefore, the British should suppress prostitution

I think a family stayed in this place. The room looks big an enough for a whole family to stay inside. The object hanging from the ceiling is used babies to sleep. Hence, this shows there is a family with children staying there.

It was tight and there was not a lot of space. The windows and walls of the room were unsanitary and there were black spots on them. Thus, we can infer that the Chinese immigrants were poor and their living lifestyle was simple, not extravagant.

crime rates could have increased in early singapore because many people from overseas who are possibly criminals or gangsters came and committed crimes!!!,

prostitution,piracy,opium

the police force started off with very little people and they had to work long hours.

he made the first set of rules for police i think

the chinese protectorate

money laundering, sexual abuse, hit and run

yes the current police force is bettter because there are more people!!!,

The Malacca straits provide the pirates a place to hide and objects of value that they could steal. The Malacca straits also have a weak local governance and political unrest.

They could not afford a permanent naval force as they only had 3 gunboats in its fleet. Thus, the British was unable to curb privacy effectively.

Pirates were attacking ships just outside the Singapore’s harbour, causing many traders to stay away. This would disrupt the trade in Singapore and cause many items to be stolen.

Piracy is still a concern in Singapore. The Singapore Strait is one of the major international shipping routes. With an increasing volume of maritime trade after the pandemic, there are many opportunities for people to make a livelihood out of piracy

Look after each other, not only receive support, but also provide support for others. You need to look after him when he is in trouble, save him, and come to his rescue. Look after his family when he is not around.

In 1826, Singapore became incorporated into the Straits Settlements. The police force in Singapore came under the command of the Resident Councillor John Prince. Singapore, with its largely poverty-stricken immigrant population and pirate ships threatening maritime trade faced high crime rates in its early years. The development of the legal institutions could not keep pace with the growing population. Many crimes went unreported. Further exacerbating the problem was the lack of proper supervision in the police force and poor morale among the rank-and-file officers.

Piracy, Prostitution and Secret Societies.

Working conditions were not desirable and it was a very tiring job with low pay and was not worth it.

Thomas Dunman established rules and regulations for officers to adhere to, drew patrol sector boundaries and introduced a standard uniform for use. He also fought for better working conditions and wages, shorter hours and a pension scheme

The Chinese Protectorate

Drug abuse, Scams and Shop-Lifting

Yes, the current police force is better than the past. They have more manpower than the police force in the past and are more respected now than in the past. They also have new capabilities such as bomb blast management, counter assault measures and other counter terrorist measures.

It is due to its heavy ship traffic and abundant ambush locations on small, forested, islands like Sentosa.

It is because the small, forested islands like Sentosa thus making it harder to find the pirates.

Many people got killed.

It is not as much of a concern today compared to the past as there are now police patrolling the sea, looking out for pirates.

I think that this space housed a family. The chain in the middle of the room is a seat, and could also be used as a cot or bed or children. There is also a sewing machine, which implies that there could have been more than one person, as one person would not have a lot of time to be able to sew. There is also a bowl of fruit on the table, which is unlikely to have been there if only one person lived there, as one person would not be able to eat so much in a short period of time, and the fruit would have

gone bad.

Source 2 tells me that the living conditions of Chinese immigrants were very bad, as a family of 5 or even 6 had to share such a small room. The immigrants also could not earn a lot of money easily, so this was the only room they could rent to house their family.

Piracy increased in Singapore due to weak local governance or political unrest.

The pirates were hard to be found.

There was burglary and theft and people got killed.

Its is not a concern in Singapore today. There are very few pirates and it’s uncool to be a pirate.

The people living along the straits are more prone to becoming a pirate to make ends meet.

The Malacca strait runs between Malaysia and Singapore and the Indonesian island of Sumatra . It has been a favourite haunt of pirates for over a 1000 years

The geography of the malacca strait region makes piracy hard to suppress

Commercial companies have to face possible loos of life and goods , as well as increased insurance premiums . Their are also concerns about terrorist activity and the potential for major oil spillage

Yes. There were increased incidents of sea robbery with almost 2 thirds of the total cases occurring in the Singapore straits so far. The Singapore straits alone saw 38 incidents of ships being boarded by robbers between January and June, an increase from 27 cases in the first half of 2022.