Was Raffles' contribution in the 19th century crucial to the progress of Singapore into a successful trading port now?

Answer 1

We can consider so. Raffles was sent by the East-India Company to look for a colony that would help the British secure the East West trade. Spices were really expensive and they are very welcomed in European countries, together with tea leaves. These 2 items can be sold at really high prices in these countries. What the East-India company was trying to do is to bring the Chinese tea leaves back to Britain. The British traded witht the Chinese, with opium. Opium was sometime that Chinese didn't have, and are dying to get. It is a substances something like cigarettes. When someone starts taking it, they get addicted. It was a scheming way of securing the trade. The journey from the then base of East-India Company, India, to China, is very far. It would be ideal if there was a colony of the British right in the shortest route to China. It would allow ships to rest, fix and replenish stocks like food. Most importantly, it would provide some form of protection for Britsh ships because the colony can sent out the navy to help if some ship is in danger or etc. Although many would say Raffles was not the main contributor to the development of modern Singapore, we cannot doubt that Singapore would not be what it is if Raffles didn't want to built a port here. With the foundation laid down, Singapore would progess faster and smoother.