Chapter 7 Flashcards
(33 cards)
1
Q
Anti-colonial sentiments
A
- Even before WW2, anti-colonial sentiments had arisen in many places due to the suffering caused by the European rule
- The JO had accelerated the growth of anti-colonial feelings
- After the JAPANESE withdrawal, many people saw the chance to rise up against their rulers and take control of their destinities
- India - gained Independence in 1947
- The people of Singapore felt that a change in rule was of due and they wished for one of their own that could understand them to govern the land.
2
Q
What was the Cold War
A
- The Cold War was at the end of WW2
- Between USA and USSR
- Both had large populations, powerful military and rich resources. But their difference in ideology caused the dispute
3
Q
Communist characteristics
A
- There was only 1 communist party allowed. Like dictatorship (one party has almost unlimited power in the country
- Believed goods were to be allocated to their needs. Thus the government controls all of the resources to produce goods
- Regarded individual freedom was less important than the benefit of society
4
Q
Democracy characteristics
A
- Believed in free elections where more than one party can contest in the election
- People could own their sole businesses, buy and sell goods
- Individual freedom was valued
5
Q
What was the problem in Singapore (Housing)
A
- People of Singapore realized that post-war period was not without problem and it was not seem to improve as many had hoped
- Much housing had been destroyed or become run-down during war
- Singapore had experienced a baby boom and had one of the highest birth rates in the 1940s and 1950s
- This caused overcrowding conditions and many people lived in slums
6
Q
What was done by the British to address the housing issue
A
- The SIT had been established by the British in 1927 to provide low cost housing .
- Between 1947 and 1959, it built an estimated 1742 units per year.
- This was far below the 10 000 required to meet the growing population’s housing needs.
- Housing shortages persisted and many continued to live in cramped conditions throughout the 1950s
- The British had to do something about this if they wanted to win the people’s support.
7
Q
What was the problem in Singapore (Food)
A
- There was a shortage of food.
- This was made worse due to the growing population.
- The war had disrupted shipping, affecting the flow of food supplies into Singapore
- Neighbouring rice-producing countries did not have enough rice to export to Singapore
- This caused in the widespread of malnutrition and wages could not keep up with the rising food prices
- The British were scared that this would lead to a widespread of unrest.
8
Q
What was done by the British to address the food issue
A
- They established People’s Restaurants to provide affordable meals
- There were 10 of them in Singapore by the end of 1946
- For 35 cents they would get rice, vegetables, piece of meat/fish and a cup of black tea
9
Q
What was the industrial unrest
A
- Unsatisfactory working conditions, along with the housing and food shortages led to a wave of strikes post-war period
- They would refuse to work as a way to get their employers to agree to their demands
- In 1947 there were over 300 strikes involving 70 000 people. They sometimes lasted for weeks
10
Q
What was done by the British to manage the industrial unrest
A
- British officials suspected that communists working amongst trade unions were stirring anti-colonial feelings and instigated the strikes
- Hence, Laws were passed in attempt to control the trade unions.
- From 1947, all trade unions were required to register with the government to allow the government to monitor them.
- The unions were no longer allowed to use their funds to organize strikes or protests.
- This remained an issue throughout the 1950s
11
Q
What happened to Singapore’s econonmy
A
- Economic recovery was crucial to improving Singapoean lives.
- Without the revival of trade and industry, people would not have jobs.
- Because of that the government would not have suffiecient tax revenue to pay for the imporvements of the people’s lives.
- It was vital that something was done quickly to preserve its economy
12
Q
What was done by the British to rebuild the economy
A
- They repaired the ports that had been damaged during war.
- This restored Singapore’s status as an important trading centre
- This was a significant move as there was a world-wide demand for tin and rubber.
- The volume of trade eventually surpassed that of pre-war trade
- With this and a greater control over trade unions the shortages and harships ended.
13
Q
Why was Maria given to Che Aminah and what did she do
A
- Maria’s father was imprisoned in 1942 during the JO.
- Maria’s mum left care of Maria with Che Aminah
- Che Aminah renamed her and raised her in Muslim faith.
- After the war, Che Aminah and Maria’s family moved to Malaya
14
Q
What happened in 1950 when the Mother came back for Maria?
A
- Adeline (mom) tried reclaiming custody of Maria by making a case to the court of SG
- The British judged ruled that Maria was to be returned to her bilogical parents.
- Che Aminah appealed against the judge and during then, Maria was placed in a catholic convent waiting to return to the Netherlands.
15
Q
What was protrayed on the papers (Maria)
A
- They sensationalised Maria’s life in the convent
- It was protrayed as an issue between Islam and Christianity.
- Many Muslims felt angry and thought that their religion was disrespected
16
Q
What happened after the rejecting of Che Aminah’s appeal
A
- Che Aminah’s supporters felt that the British unfairly sided with the Dutch.
- Angered, they overturned cars and set them on fire.
- They also attacked any Europeans and caucasians on sight
- The riots lasted for 3 days and 18 people died and 173 were injured
17
Q
What was the National Service Ordinance
A
- The post-war British thought that the responsibility of defending Singapore should be spread more equally
- The National Service Ordinance was passed in 1953.
- This required all males aged 18-20 to register for NS by May 1954
- Those who failed to do so would be jailed or fined
18
Q
Why was NCO not liked amongst CMS students
A
- Many of them were old enough to qualify
- The war had already disrupted their education
- If they were to enlist for National service their studies would be disrupted again
- Since the government favoured EMS over CMS, they were unwilling to defend a foreign government that did nothing for them in return
19
Q
What did the students do
A
- On 13 May 1954, 500 students held a protest
- It turned violent leaving 26 students injured.
- On 22 May, thousands locked themselves in class rooms and went on hunger strikes.
- The British then decided to postpone the registration for NS
20
Q
What was the rendel constitution
A
- It allowed the locals to voice their concerns and aspiration through elected leaders
- This addressed grievences and increased local pollitical participation and gave the population a sense of empowerment.
- The Rendel constituition saw the emergence of local political parties and leaders advocating for greater autonomy and reforms.
21
Q
Who won the 1955 elections
A
The Labour front party (10 out of 25)
with David marshall as the Chief Minister
22
Q
Cause of the Hock Lee Bus riots
A
- In late April 1955, workers from SBWu went on strike for “unfair treatment”
- They were not allowed leave for attending union meetings and Hock Lee employees were given better treatment
- The company responded by dismissing 229 workers
23
Q
What did the SBWU do
A
- They went on a hunger strike and sat infront of the bus depot gates, preventing the busses from leaving
- On 27 April, the strikers blocked the gate and threw stones at the police
- The police cleared the crowd with batons, injuring 15
24
Q
How did the hock Lee bus riots get worse
A
- 10k CMS students brought food and entertained the striking workers.
- David Marshall was not able to settle the dispute between the two parties
- On 12 May, there was a major fight between the crowd and police. Killing 4 and injuring 31
25
How did the Hock Lee riots conclude
1. On 14 May 1955, the unions and company agreed to give the fired workers their job back.
2. However, the unions remained suspicious of the government and continued to protest and rally
26
What was the First Merdeka talks
1. In 1956, David Marshall led a Mission to london for SG's independence.
2. It failed
3. The british doubted SG could handle itself due to the Hock Lee riots and their lack of faith in David
4. They also doubted its ability to maintain Law and order and deal with commie threats.
27
What was the cause of the CMS riots
1. Lim Yew Hock closed the SCMSSU in 1956 because of supposed Commie activities.
2. 5k students gathered to demand the re-registration of the SCMSSU but failed
3. 142 students were expelled for suspicion of commie activities but they thought they did nothing wrong and it was unjust
28
What began the CMS riot
1. Lim Yew Hock broadcasted that the Students were to leave the school premises by 8pm
2. The students were defiant and were willing to fight
3. The confrontations between the supporters and the police lasted 3 days and Malaya was called for support
29
What was the result of the CMS riots
1. Order was restored on October 28 and 13 people died and 120 people were injured
2. Union leaders were detained and the locals thought that the LF was the british's running dogs
30
what was the 2nd Merdeka talks
1. In 1957, like david marshall, Lim yew Hock wanted to gain control over all internal matters.
2. Hoever, he showed a willingness to comprise allowing it to be successful.
3. Singapore was now a State that had full domestic control
4. it gained all control except for Internal security
31
1959 Election
1. For the 1st time, people could elect representatives to the seats of legistative council
2. Those elected would draft laws to take care of the intrest of the community
3. 13 parties took part and the locals showed much more interest in this election.
32
What was the effect of Compulsory voting
1. Greatere interest from the locals as they could choose who was best suited to lead them.
2. The citizen ship ordinance allowed 320k residents and 220k chinese foreign-born residents to become citizens and vote
3. This allowed a total of 525k voters to turn up
33
Who won the 1959 election
1. On 31 May 1959, the results came in
2. LF lost winning 4 out of 39 (due to way of handiling CMS riots)
3. PAP won 43 out of 51 seats
