How Did Singapore Achieve Internal Self-Government Flashcards
(118 cards)
1
Q
A
2
Q
How did Singapore achieve internal self-government?
A
The LF formed a coalition to head the government, with David Marshall as Singapore’s first Chief Minister.
A coalition is an alliance between two or more political parties.
3
Q
What was the British officials’ view of David Marshall’s role?
A
The British officials saw Marshall as a leader only in name and did not offer him full support.
4
Q
What incident highlighted the lack of British support for Marshall?
A
The delay in providing him with a proper office to work in.
5
Q
What was David Marshall’s response to the lack of an office?
A
He humorously suggested supplying his own chair and table under an apple tree, asking only for a telephone.
6
Q
Who was David Marshall?
A
David Marshall (1908 - 1995) was Singapore’s first Chief Minister and a prominent political figure, originally a member of the SPP before joining the Singapore Socialist Party.
7
Q
What significant event occurred a month after the LF won the 1955 election?
A
The Hock Lee Bus Strike broke out, which turned violent and challenged the LF government.
8
Q
What did the Hock Lee Bus Strike test in the eyes of the British?
A
It tested the new government’s ability to deal effectively with perceived communist influences.
9
Q
What did David Marshall do after resigning as Chief Minister?
A
He founded the Workers’ Party in 1957 and later served as Singapore’s Ambassador to several countries.
10
Q
What was the Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company?
A
A small bus company in Singapore with workers belonging to different unions.
11
Q
Which unions were involved with the Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company?
A
The Singapore Bus Workers’ Union (SBWU) and the Hock Lee Bus Employees’ Union.
12
Q
What triggered the strike in late April 1955?
A
Workers felt unfairly treated, particularly regarding leave for union meetings.
13
Q
What action did the bus company take in response to the strike?
A
They dismissed 229 workers.
14
Q
What did the dismissed workers do after being let go?
A
They went on a hunger strike and blocked the bus depot gates.
15
Q
What was the police’s response to the strikers blocking the gates?
A
The police used batons to clear the crowd, resulting in about 15 injuries.
16
Q
How did students respond to the strike?
A
Over 10,000 students from Chinese-medium schools gathered to support the workers.
17
Q
What did the students do to support the striking workers?
A
They brought food and entertained the workers with song and dance.
18
Q
Who attempted to mediate the dispute between the bus company and the SBWU?
A
Chief Minister David Marshall.
19
Q
Was an agreement reached between the bus company and the SBWU?
A
No, the two parties could not reach an agreement.
20
Q
What event escalated on 12 May during the Hock Lee Bus Riots?
A
Tensions reached a climax as the police attempted to disperse the crowd with water hoses.
21
Q
How did the crowd respond to the police’s actions on 12 May?
A
The crowd fought back by throwing bricks, stones, and bottles.
22
Q
What were the casualties reported by the next morning of the riots?
A
Four people had been killed and 31 injured.
23
Q
Who were among the dead in the Hock Lee Bus Riots?
A
A police detective and a 16-year-old student.
24
Q
When did the Hock Lee Bus Riots end?
A
The riots ended on 14 May 1955.
25
What was the outcome of the negotiations on 14 May 1955?
The dismissed workers got their jobs back.
26
How did trade union members feel about the government after the riots?
Many remained suspicious of the government and continued to organise rallies and protests.
27
What was the British reaction to Marshall's handling of the Hock Lee Bus Riots?
The British were not impressed and viewed the LF government as weak due to Marshall's reluctance to take stronger action against the riots.
28
What were the First Merdeka Talks?
The First Merdeka Talks were negotiations led by David Marshall in April 1956 to press for Singapore's self-government.
29
What did Marshall demand during the First Merdeka Talks?
Marshall demanded full internal self-government for Singapore by 1957, seeking greater local control over defence and external affairs.
30
What was the outcome of the First Merdeka Talks?
The talks did not go well, and Marshall returned to Singapore empty-handed, leading to his resignation as Chief Minister.
31
Who took over as Chief Minister after Marshall's resignation?
Lim Yew Hock took over as Chief Minister after David Marshall's resignation.
32
Who was Lim Yew Hock?
Lim Yew Hock (1914-1984) was Singapore's second Chief Minister and a prominent figure in union activities.
33
What was Lim Yew Hock's background?
Lim was born in Singapore into a Chinese family from Malaya and started as a clerk before becoming involved in union activities.
34
What position did Lim Yew Hock hold in 1947?
He became Secretary-General of the Singapore Clerical and Administrative Workers' Union in 1947.
35
Did Lim Yew Hock contest the 1963 election?
No, Lim did not contest the 1963 election but was appointed Malaysia's High Commissioner to Australia the following year.
36
What happened to Lim Yew Hock after his appointment as High Commissioner?
He later became a Malaysian citizen and worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Malaysia until his retirement in 1968.
37
Who was Lim Yew Hock?
Lim Yew Hock was a Singaporean leader who aimed to control the communist threat in Singapore.
38
What was the significance of the Chinese Middle School Student Riots in 1956?
The riots were significant as they demonstrated Lim Yew Hock's government's efforts to show control over communism and convince the British of Singapore's readiness for self-governance.
39
What action did Lim Yew Hock's government take against the SCMSSU?
In September 1956, Lim Yew Hock's government banned the Singapore Chinese Middle School Students' Union (SCMSSU) due to alleged communist activities.
40
What happened two weeks after the ban on the SCMSSU?
The government expelled 142 students from several schools on suspicion of anti-government activities.
41
What was the students' response to the expulsion?
Students camped at their schools in protest against the expulsion.
42
What did Lim Yew Hock demand in his radio broadcast on 24 October?
He demanded that students leave the school premises by 8 o'clock the following evening.
43
How did the students respond to Lim Yew Hock's demands?
The students were defiant and gathered in large crowds outside the schools.
44
What escalated during the demonstrations?
The demonstrations turned violent when a mob confronted the police outside Chung Cheng High School.
45
What was the outcome of the riots?
The riots spread across the island and continued for three days, leading to the deployment of troops from Malaya to restore order.
46
Who was Lim Chin Siong?
Lim Chin Siong (1933-1996) was born in Singapore and was an active member of the Singapore Students Anti-British League. He was expelled from The Chinese High School for leading an examination boycott in 1951.
47
What roles did Lim Chin Siong hold in trade unions?
Lim was appointed Secretary of the Singapore Bus Workers' Union in 1954 and later led the Singapore Factory and Shop Workers' Union.
48
What political party did Lim Chin Siong join?
Lim joined the People's Action Party (PAP) in 1954 and was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1955.
49
What happened to Lim Chin Siong in 1956?
He was arrested for anti-British activities and detained until 1959.
50
Why was Lim Chin Siong expelled from the PAP?
He was expelled in 1961 for opposing the proposed merger with Malaya.
51
What party did Lim Chin Siong help to form after leaving the PAP?
He helped to form the Barisan Sosialis (Socialist Front) party.
52
What significant event led to Lim Chin Siong's arrest in 1963?
He was arrested during Operation Coldstore.
53
When did Lim Chin Siong return to Singapore after living abroad?
He returned to Singapore in 1979.
54
Who was Fong Swee Suan?
Fong Swee Suan (1931-2017) was born in Johor, Malaya, and moved to Singapore in 1950. He was classmates with Lim Chin Siong.
55
What happened to Fong Swee Suan in 1951?
He was expelled from The Chinese High School for boycotting an examination.
56
What role did Fong Swee Suan hold in the SBWU?
He became the Secretary-General of the Singapore Bus Workers' Union in 1953.
57
What happened to Fong Swee Suan after joining the PAP?
He was arrested in 1955 and 1956 for his involvement in anti-colonial activities.
58
What led to Fong Swee Suan's expulsion from the PAP?
His opposition to the proposed merger with Malaya in 1961.
59
What happened to Fong Swee Suan during Operation Coldstore?
He was arrested and detained in Malaysia until 1967.
60
What was the outcome of the unrest in Singapore on 28 October?
13 people had died and more than 120 had been injured, leading to the swift detention of Lim Chin Siong, Fong Swee Suan, and other union leaders.
61
How did the British view Lim Yew Hock's handling of the riots?
The British were pleased with his decisive handling, which strengthened his position for discussions about self-government.
62
What does the term 'running dogs' refer to?
'Running dogs' is a negative term for followers who are overly eager to serve or please their masters.
63
What was the purpose of the Second Merdeka Talks in 1957?
To renegotiate for full internal self-government for Singapore.
64
Who led the delegation to the Second Merdeka Talks?
Lim Yew Hock.
65
What did Lim Yew Hock want to control during the Second Merdeka Talks?
All internal matters of government, including internal security.
66
What did Lim Yew Hock show a willingness to compromise on?
Internal security.
67
What was the British concern regarding internal security?
The communist threat.
68
What matters did the delegation agree to leave in British hands?
External affairs and external defence.
69
What was the outcome of the Second Merdeka Talks?
Secured full internal self-government for Singapore.
70
What significant event occurred in 1958 following the Second Merdeka Talks?
A concluding round of talks was held in London to finalise the details of the agreement.
71
What act did the British Parliament pass in 1958?
The State of Singapore Act.
72
What did the State of Singapore Act achieve?
Converted the colony into a state with control over all domestic issues except for internal security.
73
What title replaced the British Governor under the new constitution?
Yang di-Pertuan Negara (Head of State).
74
When was the election to bring the new constitution into force scheduled?
In 1959.
75
What was established after the 1959 election?
An Internal Security Council (ISC) to deal with Singapore's internal security matters.
76
Who comprised the Internal Security Council (ISC)?
Representatives from Britain and Malaya, as well as local members.
77
What criteria do historians use to assess historical significance?
1. It resulted in change that had or still has far-reaching consequences for society.
2. It is remembered; the event or development was or remains memorable for a group of people.
78
What was the purpose of the Second Merdeka Talks in 1957?
To renegotiate for full internal self-government for Singapore.
79
Who led the delegation to the Second Merdeka Talks?
Lim Yew Hock.
80
What did Lim Yew Hock want to control during the Second Merdeka Talks?
All internal matters of government, including internal security.
81
What did Lim Yew Hock show a willingness to compromise on?
Internal security.
82
What was the British concern regarding internal security?
The communist threat.
83
What matters did the delegation agree to leave in British hands?
External affairs and external defence.
84
What was the outcome of the Second Merdeka Talks?
Secured full internal self-government for Singapore.
85
What significant event occurred in 1958 following the Second Merdeka Talks?
A concluding round of talks was held in London to finalise the details of the agreement.
86
What act did the British Parliament pass in 1958?
The State of Singapore Act.
87
What did the State of Singapore Act achieve?
Converted the colony into a state with control over all domestic issues except for internal security.
88
What title replaced the British Governor under the new constitution?
Yang di-Pertuan Negara (Head of State).
89
When was the election to bring the new constitution into force scheduled?
In 1959.
90
What was established after the 1959 election?
An Internal Security Council (ISC) to deal with Singapore's internal security matters.
91
Who comprised the Internal Security Council (ISC)?
Representatives from Britain and Malaya, as well as local members.
92
What criteria do historians use to assess historical significance?
1. It resulted in change that had or still has far-reaching consequences for society.
2. It is remembered; the event or development was or remains memorable for a group of people.
93
What was significant about the 1959 election in Singapore?
It was the first time voters could elect representatives to all seats in the Legislative Assembly.
94
How many constituencies was Singapore divided into for the 1959 election?
Singapore was divided into 51 constituencies.
95
How many political parties participated in the 1959 election?
A total of 13 political parties took part.
96
How many candidates stood for election in 1959?
194 candidates stood for election.
97
What was the impact of the elected government in the 1959 election?
The elected government would have almost full internal powers to carry out its programmes.
98
What methods did political parties use to campaign in the 1959 election?
They used radio broadcasts, newspapers, pamphlets, and loudspeakers to spread their ideas.
99
What was the voter turnout in the 1959 election compared to 1955?
About 525,000 voters turned up, more than three times the number in the 1955 election.
100
What ordinance contributed to increased voter participation in 1959?
The Citizenship Ordinance of 1957 enabled about 320,000 residents to become Singapore citizens.
101
What was the outcome for the Singapore People's Alliance (SPA) in the 1959 election?
The SPA performed poorly, winning only 4 out of the 39 seats they contested.
102
What was the outcome for the People's Action Party (PAP) in the 1959 election?
The PAP scored a landslide victory, winning 43 out of the 51 seats they contested.
103
What was a reason for the SPA's loss in the 1959 election?
Many Chinese voters were unhappy with Lim Yew Hock's handling of the Chinese Middle School Student Riots in 1956.
104
What is a constituency?
A constituency is an area in which voters elect a representative to parliament or government.
105
What is the responsibility of Singapore citizens aged 21 and above regarding elections?
They have a responsibility to participate in their government by voting in elections.
106
What did Lee Kuan Yew say about the verdict of the people?
'The verdict of the people is a terrifying thing...it's a victory of right over wrong.'
107
What did Lim Yew Hock say about the PAP's victory?
'The PAP have made certain promises...We congratulate them and wish them luck.'
108
Who was Lee Kuan Yew?
Lee Kuan Yew (1923-2015) was born in Singapore into a Peranakan Chinese family.
109
Where did Lee Kuan Yew study law?
He studied law at Cambridge University.
110
What was Lee Kuan Yew's first job?
He began work as a lawyer at the law firm of SPP leader John Laycock.
111
What role did Lee Kuan Yew have in 1951?
He worked as an election agent for John Laycock, giving him his first experience of politics.
112
What other roles did Lee Kuan Yew hold before becoming Prime Minister?
He worked as a legal advisor to several trade unions and associations.
113
What significant event did Lee Kuan Yew represent students in 1954?
He represented the Chinese middle school students who appealed against a conviction for their role in the Anti-National Service Riots.
114
When was Lee Kuan Yew elected to the Legislative Assembly?
He was elected in 1955 to represent the Tanjong Pagar constituency.
115
When did Lee Kuan Yew become Singapore's first Prime Minister?
He became Singapore's first Prime Minister after the PAP's victory in the 1959 election.
116
How long did Lee Kuan Yew serve as Prime Minister?
He served in this capacity till 1990.
117
What major events did Lee Kuan Yew lead Singapore through?
He led Singapore through the years of merger and separation with Malaysia, and through the challenges of being an independent nation.
118
What positions did Lee Kuan Yew hold after stepping down as Prime Minister?
He served as Senior Minister (1990-2004) and later, as Minister Mentor (2004-2011).
