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Colonialism in Singapore

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Colonialism in Singapore
Colonialism in Singapore

Asian Studies
Grade 9

Singapore was colonized for quite a lot of years, from around 1819 until 1965. The British, Japan and Malaya colonized Singapore during 1819 to 1965.

The British colonized Singapore from 1819 till 1963. But during these 144 years, Japan also colonized Singapore and colonized them for 3 years, in 1942 till 1945 during the World War II. The British only fully colonized Singapore in 1824. In that time the British did colonize Singapore. They wanted to break the Dutch monopoly of trade in the archipelago by colonizing Singapore; so they would have a new trading settlement to rival the Dutch. Also Singapore was located centrally and was the main trade route between the East and the West. Therefore, Singapore was the best trading Centre amongst other islands because of its strategic location at the heart of the Malay Archipelago.

* Since the British failed to protect Singapore from the Japanese occupation during World War II, therefore losing their credibility with the Singaporeans. Then, Japan took control over Singapore after defeating Australian, British, Indian and Malayan in the “Battle of Singapore”. During this time, Japan did many killings of the people of Singapore. These sad and cruel acts took the lives of about 25,000 to 50,000 people. The main goal for the Japanese was to basically take over Singapore and by killing Singaporeans they felt they were developing a fear in them so that no one would raise their voices against them and they could keep control over Singapore without any issues.

* * * * * Malaya colonized Singapore. Singapore was part of Malaya but the Governments of Malaya felt that Singapore would cheat them and take over the whole of Malaya. It was then when Singapore became an independent country. Singapore finally broke free and became independent on the 9th of August 1965.

* * I think colonialism has a lot

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