HISTORY

Founding of Modern Singapore

The period between the 16th and 19th centuries saw the dominance of the European colonial powers in the Southeast Asian region.

At this time, the British saw the need for a strategic port of call in the region to provision, refit and safeguard the merchant fleet of their expanding empire.

The action truly began when Sir Stamford Raffles arrived on our shores on 29 January 1819. He soon saw that with her natural deep harbour and strategic location, Singapore was a logical choice as the new port. On 6 February 1819, a formal treaty was concluded with Sultan Hussein of Johor and the Temenggong. Thus, began the birth of modern Singapore.

By 1824, Singapore's population has grown tremendously from a mere 150 to an astonishing 10,000. The island proved to be a more profitable trading port than Penang, another British trading post at that time. Two treaties were signed that year to cement British ownership over Singapore.

The first was the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 by which the Dutch withdrew its opposition to the British occupation of Singapore. The second treaty was signed with Sultan Hussein and the Temenggong where they relinquished all rights to the island in return for lifelong cash payments.

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