British’s attempts to win local support

• Impacts of British surrendering

  • Locals looked down on the British -> shattered European superiority
  • Wanted to end capitalism -> be free from both British and Japanese Rule
• Communism

  Where everyone is treated based on their needs and the government provides everything
• Capitalism

  Large gap between rich and poor (unfair treatment)

  Members of communist parties were of higher status and treated locals poorly
• After WW2, the superior status of colonial rulers were tarnished because the British surrendered to the Japanese
• How did the British win local support for Singapore to self-rule?

  Met housing challenges: overcrowding of slums - created the Singapore Improvement Trust: Building Program
• How did the British win local support for Singapore to self-rule?

  Addressed food shortages: malnutrition and inflation - built People’s Restaurants
• How did the British win local support for Singapore to self-rule?

  Managing industrial unrest: MCP and trade unions - all trade unions had to be registered
• How did the British win local support for Singapore to self-rule?

  Rebuilt the economy: unemployment issues (poor economy and insufficient tax revenue) - ports were repaired
• How did the British win local support for Singapore to self-rule?

  Allowed local political participation: needed to address locals’ anger and aspirations for self-rule - 1948 elections (Singapore Progressive Party won)