North Borneo 390647 219140248 2008-06-13T19:28:43Z Lightbot 7178666 Units/dates/other {{Infobox Former Country |native_name = Borneo Utara |conventional_long_name = North Borneo |common_name = North Borneo |continent=Asia |empire=United Kingdom |status=Colony |status_text=Colony of the [[United Kingdom]]<br><small>(Protectorate until 1946)</small> |era=New Imperialism |year_start = 1882 |year_end = 1963 |date_start = May |date_end = 31 August |event_start=[[British North Borneo Company|North Borneo Company]] |event_end = Independence |event1 = British protectorate |date_event1 = 1888 |event2 = [[Japanese occupation of Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak|Japanese invasion]] |date_event2 = [[January 1]], [[1942]] |event3 = [[Borneo campaign (1945)|Australian liberation]] |date_event3 = June, 1946 |event4=Restored as [[crown colony|colony]] |date_event4= [[July 15]], [[1946]] |event_post = Formation of [[Malaysia]] |date_post = [[16 September]], [[1963]] |p1=Sultanate of Brunei |p3=Labuan |flag_p1 = Flag of Brunei.svg |flag_p3 = Flag of Labuan.svg |s1=Sabah |flag_s1 = Flag of Sabah.svg |symbol_type=Badge |image_flag =Flag_of_North_Borneo.gif |image_coat = North Borneo Badge.png |image_map = British North Borneo.PNG |image_map_caption = British North Borneo |national_motto = ''Pergo et Perago''<br>([[latin language|Latin]]: "I undertake and I achieve”) |capital = Jesselton |latd=5|latm=98|latNS=N|longd=116|longm=07|longEW=E |common_languages = [[Malay language|Malay]], [[English Language|English]] |government_type = Monarchy |title_leader=[[British monarchy|Monarch]] |leader1 = [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Victoria]] |year_leader1 = 1882 - 1901 |leader2 = [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]] |year_leader2 = 1952 - 1963 |title_deputy = Governor |deputy1 = Robert Scott |year_deputy1=1896 - 1901 |stat_year1= 1936 |stat_pop1= 285000 |stat_area1=76115 |currency = [[British North Borneo dollar|North Borneo dollar]], until 1953<br>[[Malaya and British Borneo dollar|Malaya and Borneo dollar]], after 1953 }} '''North Borneo''' was an [[State|independent state]] and British [[protectorate]] under the sovereign [[British North Borneo Company]] from 1882-1946, and subsequently a [[crown colony]] of the [[United Kingdom]] from 1946-1963. It is located on the northeastern end of the island of [[Borneo]]. It is now the state of [[Sabah]], [[East Malaysia]]. == History == === State of North Borneo === In 1865, the [[United States]] [[Consul]] to [[Brunei]], Charles Lee Moses, obtained a 10-year lease for the territory of North Borneo from the [[Sultan]] of Brunei. However, the post-[[American Civil War|Civil War]] United States wanted nothing to do with Asian colonies, so Moses sold his rights to the [[Hong Kong]]-based '''American Trading Company of Borneo''' owned by Joseph William Torrey, Thomas Bradley Harris, Tat Cheong and possibly other Chinese merchants. Torrey began a settlement at the [[Kimanis]] River mouth, which he named Ellena. Attempts to find financial backing for the settlement were futile, and disease, death and desertion by the immigrant labourers led to the abandonment of the settlement towards the end of 1866. With the imminent termination of the lease at hand in January 1875, Torrey managed to sell his rights to the Consul of the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]] in Hong Kong, [[Baron]] [[Von Overbeck]]. Von Overbeck managed to get a 10-year renewal of the lease from the [[Temenggong]] of Brunei, and a similar treaty from the Sultan of [[Sulu]] on January 22, 1878. To finance his plans for North Borneo, Overbeck found financial backing from the Dent brothers (Alfred and Edward). However, he was unable to interest his government in the territory. After efforts to sell the territory to [[Italy]] for use as a [[penal colony]], Von Overbeck withdrew in 1880, leaving [[Alfred Dent]] in control. Dent was supported by Sir [[Rutherford Alcock]], and [[Admiral Sir Harry Keppel]]. In July 1881, Alfred Dent and his brother formed the '''British North Borneo Provisional Association Ltd''' and obtained an official [[Royal Charter]] November 1 the same year. In May 1882, the '''British North Borneo Chartered Company''' replaced the Provisional Association. Sir Rutherford Alcock became the first President, and Alfred Dent became [[Managing director|Managing Director]]. In spite of some diplomatic protests by the [[Netherlands|Dutch]], [[Spain|Spanish]] and [[Sarawak]] governments, the [[British North Borneo Company]] proceeded to organize settlement and [[Local government|administration]] of the territory. The company subsequently acquired further sovereign and territorial rights from the [[List of Sultans of Brunei|sultan of Brunei]], expanding the territory under control to the '''Putatan river''' (May 1884), the''' Padas district''' (November 1884), the '''Kawang river''' (February 1885), the '''Mantanani islands''' (April 1885), and additional minor '''Padas territories''' (March 1898). The Company established a foundation for [[economic growth]] in North Borneo by restoring peace to a land where [[piracy]] and tribal feuds had grown rampant. It abolished [[slavery]] and set up transport, health and education services for the people. [[Overseas Chinese|Chinese]] immigrants were wooed to boost the small population of less than 100,000. Through the combined effort of the locals and immigrants, towns, farms, a [[Logging|timber industry]], [[tobacco]] and [[rubber]] plantations began to thrive. === Protectorate of Britain === {{History of Malaysia}} In 1888, North Borneo became a [[protectorate]] of [[Great Britain]] , but its administration remained entirely in the hands of the [[British North Borneo Company]], with the crown reserving only control of foreign relations. From 1890-1905 the British government placed the colony of [[Labuan]] under the administration of North Borneo. The Company's rule in North Borneo had great impact on the development of the region. Although was generally peaceful, the local population occasionally resented the imposition of taxes and the loss of land to European plantations. The most serious resistance was the [[Mat Salleh]] (Mahomet Saleh) War from 1894-1900, and the [[Rundum Uprising]] by the [[Murut people|Murut]] in 1915. The Chartered Company's system of administration was based on standard [[British Empire|British colonial]] administration structures, with the land divided into Residencies, and sub-divided into Districts. Initially, there were only two Residencies: East Coast and West Coast, with Residents based at [[Sandakan]] and [[Jesselton]] respectively. Each Residency was divided into Provinces, later known as Districts, which were run by [[District Officer]]s. By 1922, there were five Residencies to accommodate new areas that were opened up for development. These were the West Coast, [[Kudat]], [[Tawau]], Interior and East Coast Residencies. These Residencies were in turn divided into 17 Districts. Under this system, British held top posts, while native chiefs managed the people at grassroots level. This was not a conscious attempt by the British to instil [[indirect rule]] but a convenient arrangement for the District Officers who were unfamiliar with local customs and politics. The British North Borneo Company effectively ruled until January 1, 1942. [[Japanese Occupation of Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak|Japanese forces occupied Sabah]] from 1942-1945. The North Borneo Armed Constabulary with only 650 men hardly provided any resistance to slow down the Japanese invasion. During [[Imperial Japanese Army|Japanese military]] occupation, the Europeans were interned, [[public services]] ceased to exist, and there were widespread poverty, disease and [[malnutrition]]. In June 1945 the [[Australian 9th Division]] landed in Brunei and liberated much of North Borneo before the end of the war. North Borneo was placed under [[British Armed Forces|British Military]] Administration until restoration of civil government on July 15, 1946. === Crown Colony of British North Borneo === The [[British North Borneo Company]] did not have the financial resources to reconstruct North Borneo after the destruction of [[World War II]]. The major towns had been razed to the ground by allied bombing, and the [[infrastructure]] of North Borneo was in total devastation. The British North Borneo Company decided to sell its interests to the British government. The territory was placed under control of the colonial office, and became a British [[crown colony]] on July 15, 1946 together with islands of [[Labuan]]. The destruction of the former capital [[Sandakan]] was so complete that [[Jesselton]] was chosen as the new post-war capital. The colonial system of administration was in most ways similar rule during the Company era, retaining the same Residency and District structure; however, as a result of this change in status, North Borneo had access to British government funds for reconstruction. A [[Governor of North Borneo|Governor]] and [[Commander-in-Chief]] was appointed to administer the colony of North Borneo with the assistance of an Advisory Council consisting of three [[List of Latin phrases (A–E)|ex-officio]] members: a [[Chief Secretary]], the [[Attorney General|Attorney-General]], and the Financial Secretary, together with other members both official and unofficial whom the Governor chose to appoint. In 1950, the Advisory Council was replaced by the Executive and Legislative Councils. The Executive Council functioned as a Cabinet and was headed by the Chief Secretary. In addition to the Attorney General and the Financial Secretary, it consisted of two officials and four nominated members. The Governor presided at the Executive Council meetings and he alone was entitled to submit questions to the Council. The Legislative Council consisted of the Governor as President, the usual three ex-officio members, nine official members and ten nominated members. The high-ranking administrative posts continued to be held by the British, and in fact, it was only in 1957 that the first non-European filled an administrative officer's post. British North Borneo was granted self-government on August 31, 1963. A little over two weeks later, on [[September 16]], [[1963]], the state united with [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]], [[Sarawak]] and [[Singapore]], forming the [[Federation of Malaysia]]. == Postage stamps == Initially, [[mail]] from North Borneo was sent via Labuan or [[Singapore]], using [[postage stamp]]s of the [[Straits Settlements]]. The company issued its own stamps in March 1883, using a design incorporating the [[coat of arms]] (a [[dhow]] and a [[lion]]), inscribed "NORTH BORNEO", and with the value written in [[English language|English]], [[Arabic language|Arabic]], and [[Chinese language|Chinese]]. Initial values included 2c, 4c, and 8c, followed by large 50c and $1 stamps of a more elaborate design with the arms flanked by two natives. In 1886 1/2c, 1c, and 10c values were added, and there was a demand for 3c and 5c stamps, resolved by [[overprint]]ing existing types. At the same time, the printers ([[Blades, East, and Blades]] of [[London]]) produced a new design, largely the same but inscribed "BRITISH NORTH BORNEO", and joined by 25c and $2 values, also with elaborate frames. The stamps were redesigned again in 1888, to say "POSTAGE & REVENUE" instead of just "POSTAGE", at which time the 25c to $2 values also received minor changes. These were followed up in 1889 by even larger and more elaborate $5 and $10 stamps. Shortages in 1890, 1891, and 1892 necessitated more surcharges. In 1894, the protectorate issued a new [[definitive series]] engraved by [[Waterlow and Sons]], comprising nine pictorials featuring natives plants, animals, and scenes, and inscribed "STATE OF NORTH BORNEO". ==See also== * [[Sabah dispute]] * [[British North Borneo dollar]] * [[Malaya and British Borneo dollar]] {{Territories of the British Empire}} {{Sabah}} [[Category:British North Borneo| ]] [[id:Borneo Utara]] [[it:Borneo del Nord]] [[ms:Borneo Utara]] [[nl:Noord-Borneo]] [[pl:Borneo Północne]] [[pt:Bornéu do Norte]]