Singapore History
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Singapore’s written history remains somewhat
blurred, with various names used to refer to the country. Around
the 14th century, however, the city-state became known by the
Sanskrit name, Singapura, which translates to “Lion City.”
(Today, an eight-meter statue of a Merlion—a mythical
beast said to be half lion and half fish—stands at the
tip of Singapore in Merlion Park). During that time, Singapore
struggled with Siam (now Thailand) |
for control over the Malay Peninsula. Although Singapore supposedly
lost the battle, it continued being known as a popular trading port
well into the 19th century. So much so, in fact, that the British,
who were then expanding throughout India, established a trading
post in Singapore in 1819 to protect its merchant fleet and quickly
began taking control of the port’s revenue flow.
In 1824, Britain formed two treaties and established formal control
over Singapore. Two years later Singapore and two other British
settlements, Malacca and Penang, became known as the Straights Settlements
and placed under the control of British India. Singapore thrived,
became the central place of government for the three areas by 1832
and went on to become the major port for ships journeying between
East Asia and Europe. Exports continued to boom into the 1900s,
drawing Chinese, Malay and Indian immigrants from surrounding areas.
Europeans, too, were drawn to the prosperous, peaceful Singapore.
But that all changed in the early hours of December 8, 1941, when
the Japanese bombed Singapore during World War II. Over the next
two months the Japanese fought and eventually defeated Singapore,
which was renamed Syonan (“Light of the South”). But
it was a short-term victory. When the war ended in 1945, Singapore
came back under the British Military Administration for one year
before it became a separate crown colony. It joined in the Federation
of Malaysia in 1963 but, amid political and ethnic tensions, pulled
out two years later on August 9, 1965, and became an independent
republic.
Singapore’s trading links and history as a trading colony
has helped push its port to become one of the world's busiest in
terms of the tonnage handled. The result? Singapore is now one of
the world's most prosperous countries, with its per capita GDP equal
to that of the leading nations of Western Europe. Its economy relies
on exports, especially in electronics and manufacturing, although
it was hit hard during the Asian financial crisis in 1998 and the
global recession between 2001 and 2003. It was during that latter
time when the tourism industry suffered due to the SARS outbreak.
However, low interest rates and a surge in exports in 2004 helped
push the country's GDP up by 8 percent that year and rejuvenated
its economy. What’s more, in 2005, Singapore and Malaysia
settled a bitter dispute over land reclamation work in their border
waters. S R Nathan also began a second, six-year term as President
that year, after winning elections from which his rivals were disqualified.
More Information
 www.state.gov
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