History chapter 7

• How did the people in Singapore respond to British rule after World War II?

  
• What will you learn

  • How external events in the post-war period affected (political developments) people in Singapore
  • How did the British dealt with post-war problems in Singapore?
  • How did the locals responded to British rule in the post-war period?
  • How did Singapore eventually attained full internal self-government in 1959?
  • Growth of political movements in Singapore
  • Events that hastened Singapore's path to independence

  
• An Overview: British Actions and People's Aspirations in the Post-War Years, how these led to Internal Self- Government in 1959


  • External Events Outside of Singapore: Communism, Colonialism
  • Post War Problems: Food, Strikes, Economy
  • Maria Hertogh Riots/ Hock Lee Bus/ Chinese Middle School Riots
  • Locals Response to British Rule: Expression of dissent through strikes and riots
  • Journey to Full Internal Self-Government: 3 Elections - 1948, 1955, 1959

  
• Weakening of Colonial Rule (also known as Trend of Decolonisation in the Region)


  Impact of British surrender to the Japanese had a strong psychological effect i.e. accelerated the growth of anti-colonial feelings

  
• People in different places saw the chance to rise up against their European colonial rules and take charge of their destinies


  • India, 1947
  • Indonesia, 1949
  • Vietnam, 1954
  • Malaya, 1957
• Weakening of Colonial Rule (also known as Trend of Decolonisation in the Region)

  Inspired people in Singapore in favour of self-rule = to be free from British Rule
• Communism


  A system of government where people are treated equally, with collective ownership of production and property and distribution according to need
• In 1922, Russia formed USSR (Union of Socialist Soviets of Russia)
• Countries such as Britain and USA were anti-communists as they adopted a capitalist system
• Cold War


  Conflict between USA and USSR after World War II, where the world became divided into two blocs - communist and anti-communist
• Growing Influence of Communism (also known as Rise of Communism)


  People were dissatisfied with colonial rulers and the superior status of colonial rulers was tarnished as a result of WWII
• Malayan Communist Party (MCP) had considerable support because many people, especially the Chinese, remembered how the MCP had helped in the resistance against the Japanese during WW II
• After WW II, MCP became more aggressive, with an aim to end colonial rule
• There was a Malayan Emergency, 1948 - 1960

  
• Growing Influence of Communism


  Communist ideology spread to Singapore and Malaya, often through the Chinese teachers in Chinese-medium schools, which worried the British as there was a large majority of Chinese in both Malaya and Singapore
• Riots and Strikes in the Early 1950s

  • Maria Hertogh
  • Anti-National Service
  • Hock Lee Bus
  • Chinese Middles School Students' Riots
• Impact of British surrender to the Japanese

  Changed the people's attitudes towards the British, leading to fierce resistance to the British plans to reassert colonial rule
• Mark them out on your timeline (TB 40-41)
• British had to adapt their plans


  By addressing the people's concerns and winning their support to prepare Singapore for self-government
• Research Answers for "Why were there many strikes and riots in Singapore after 1945? (Start from p53-71)"
• Slow war recovery, Baby Boom in 1940s-1950s led to overcrowded living conditions
• Please complete the pallet post with your partner. Please remember to include your names.
• Continuing shortage of food resources and growing population led to malnutrition and inflation
• If you have finished, please read pg 53 to 71 to find out about other riots.
• Poor working conditions led to a wave of strikes, with many workers who took part being trade union members
• Padlet Links
• In 1947, all unions had to register with the government to monitor their membership, as the British were concerned about the MCP's influence on trade unions
• Class

  • 2R1
  • 2I2
  • 2C3
  • 2H4
  • 2S5
  • 2R6
• To ensure economic recovery and solve unemployment issues, the British repaired the ports
• The British held elections in 1948 to address rising local anger and aspirations for self-rule