Anti-Catholic Riots (1851)

The anti-Catholic riots began on 15 February 1851. Catholic converts of Chinese origins who had established agricultural settlements in rural areas were attacked by non-Christian Chinese associated with secret societies. During five days of rioting, 500 people were killed and 28 plantations burned.

Background
Many Chinese from the Tan Tae Hoe association were drawn to the Catholic faith. Tan Tae Hoe's hold of power was affected both by the reduced number of members and by the fact that the converts, with their values changed by their new-found faith, now were motivated to report on the association's illicit going-ons. The impact on the Tan Tae Hoe clan was probably a reflection of the loss of power amongst other clan associations and secret societies. Instigated by these factors, the Tan Tae Hoe and other societies joined forces to wreck havoc upon the Chinese converts.

Consequences
From Serangoon, through Bukit Timah to Kranji, various Chinese Christian plantations were attacked by groups of 20 to 50 men on 15 February 1851. Many of the victims escaped to town to seek refuge. At least 28 plantations were looted, burned and the homes in it, robbed. A total of 500 were murdered over five days of rioting.



Author
Bonny Muliani Tan



References 
Buckley, C. B. (1984). An anecdotal history of old times in Singapore: From the foundation of the settlement ... on February 6th, 1819 to the transfer to the Colonial Office ... on April 1st, 1867 (pp. 542-546). Singapore: Oxford University Press.
(Call no: RSING 959.57 BUC)

Mulliner, K. (1991). Historical dictionary of Singapore (p. 28). Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57003 MUL) 



The information in this article is valid as at 1998 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Politics and Government>>National Security>>Civil Unrests>>Riots
Riots--Singapore
Secret societies--Singapore
People and communities>>Social conflict>>Riots



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