Part 2/16:
A Land Transformed: The Age of Alien Crops and Wealth Creation
The narrative begins with Singapore’s early days as a land of transplanted ecosystems. Alien plants, many introduced from distant lands, became the backbone of Singapore’s prosperity. Crops like rubber, pineapple, vanilla, coffee, and sugar fueled economic growth and fostered new social classes, creating a "modern world" rooted in colonial enterprise. This era, spanning nearly 200 years, was marked by remarkable success and darker undercurrents—accidents, disasters, and social upheaval.