People could support some British policies and oppose others, depending on what they stood to gain or lose.
Working with colonial rulers is called collaboration. Not everyone responded the same way. Abdullah sought British help to become Sultan. Chiefs who lost control of taxes had reasons to resist. Merchants liked safer trade, while workers still faced harsh conditions. One person could back one policy and oppose another.
The sources come from Britain's House of Commons, where MPs debated policy. After Birch was killed, MPs asked how Britain had become so involved. Officials had reasons to stress order and trade. Critics questioned British power and cost.
These speeches show what each speaker wanted MPs to think. They do not directly show what people in Malaya experienced. Compare them with the treaty and other evidence.
- Collaboration
- Working with colonial rulers.
- House of Commons
- Where British MPs debated Malaya after Birch's death.
- Source check
- Ask what each speaker wanted listeners to believe.
Worked example: Compare two speakers
In 1876, Ernest Noel MP and James Lowther, the government spokesman, both discuss the Resident's power.
- Similar: both admit the Resident had more power than simple advice.
- Different: Noel blames the rule to follow advice; Lowther says officials in Malaya went further than London approved.
- Lowther may want to protect the government from blame. That is an inference, not proof he was wrong.
Watch out for this
A British official defending policy cannot be useful evidence.
A biased source is still useful. It shows what the official wanted people to believe, and can be checked against other evidence.
Check your understanding
Why might chiefs in Perak resist the Resident?
- They lost control over taxes and revenue.
- They wanted the Resident to take more power.
- Britain had promised them full control of taxes.