The Rise Of Communism And The Soviet Union

Question 1

What appealed to many people regarding communism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

Answer 1

Communist ideas appealed to many who felt unfairly treated by those who governed them.

Question 2

What did communism oppose?

Answer 2

Communism opposed colonialism.

Question 3

Where did communism find supporters before the Cold War?

Answer 3

Communism found many supporters in Europe and Malaya.

Question 4

What significant event occurred in Russia in 1917?

Answer 4

In 1917, communists in Russia tried to overthrow the country’s leaders and take control.

Question 5

What happened to Russia after the formation of the Soviet Union?

Answer 5

After the formation of the Soviet Union, Russia became one of the territories in the Soviet Union.

Question 6

What was established after the Russian civil war?

Answer 6

The Russian communists succeeded in establishing the Soviet Union.

Question 7

What type of government was established by the Soviet Union?

Answer 7

They established a dictatorship to give themselves power to shape society according to their goals.

Question 8

What was the impact of the communist dictatorship on political freedom?

Answer 8

Under the communist dictatorship of the Soviet Union, political freedom was severely limited.

Question 9

What actions did the Soviet government take regarding property?

Answer 9

The government seized property previously owned by individuals and placed them under the state’s control.

Question 10

What happened to those who opposed the Soviet government?

Answer 10

Many who opposed the government were arrested or killed.

Question 11

What was the time frame of the struggle for independence in Singapore?

Answer 11

The struggle for independence in Singapore occurred from 1942 to 1965.

Question 12

What appealed to many people regarding communism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

Answer 12

Communist ideas appealed to many who felt unfairly treated by those who governed them.

Question 13

What did communism oppose?

Answer 13

Communism opposed colonialism.

Question 14

Where did communism find supporters before the Cold War?

Answer 14

Communism found many supporters in Europe and Malaya.

Question 15

What significant event occurred in Russia in 1917?

Answer 15

In 1917, communists in Russia tried to overthrow the country’s leaders and take control.

Question 16

What happened to Russia after the formation of the Soviet Union?

Answer 16

After the formation of the Soviet Union, Russia became one of the territories in the Soviet Union.

Question 17

What was established after the Russian civil war?

Answer 17

The Russian communists succeeded in establishing the Soviet Union.

Question 18

What type of government was established by the Soviet Union?

Answer 18

They established a dictatorship to give themselves power to shape society according to their goals.

Question 19

What was the impact of the communist dictatorship on political freedom?

Answer 19

Under the communist dictatorship of the Soviet Union, political freedom was severely limited.

Question 20

What actions did the Soviet government take regarding property?

Answer 20

The government seized property previously owned by individuals and placed them under the state’s control.

Question 21

What happened to those who opposed the Soviet government?

Answer 21

Many who opposed the government were arrested or killed.

Question 22

What was the time frame of the struggle for independence in Singapore?

Answer 22

The struggle for independence in Singapore occurred from 1942 to 1965.

Question 23

What did Communism oppose in colonial rule?

Answer 23

Communism opposed colonial rule for its exploitation of people.

Question 24

Which European colonies supported Communism before gaining independence?

Answer 24

Many supporters were found in European colonies such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaya.

Question 25

Why was Britain concerned about its colonies during the Cold War?

Answer 25

Britain was concerned that its colonies, such as Malaya and Singapore, would fall under communist control in their fight for independence.

Question 26

What was the role of the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) in Singapore?

Answer 26

The MCP had considerable popular support and helped in the resistance against the Japanese during World War II.

Question 27

What did the MCP focus on after World War II?

Answer 27

The MCP focused on ending British rule and establishing communist governments in Malaya and Singapore.

Question 28

How did the MCP influence the people in Singapore?

Answer 28

The MCP worked to influence trade unions and Chinese-medium schools, stirring up anti-colonial feelings among workers and students.

Question 29

What actions did the MCP take against British-owned resources?

Answer 29

The MCP attacked rubber plantations and tin mines in Malaya, many of which were owned and managed by the British.

Question 30

What event heightened British fears regarding the MCP?

Answer 30

The murder of three European rubber planters in Malaya in June 1948 heightened British fears.

Question 31

What was declared in response to the MCP's actions?

Answer 31

A State of Emergency was declared throughout Malaya, and the MCP was declared illegal.

Question 32

When did the Malayan Emergency last?

Answer 32

The Malayan Emergency lasted from 1948 to 1960.

Question 33

What was the impact of the Malayan Emergency?

Answer 33

The conflict killed or wounded several thousand civilians and military personnel.

Question 34

What violent act did the MCP attempt in 1950?

Answer 34

In 1950, the MCP attempted to assassinate the Governor of Singapore, Sir Franklin Gimson.

Question 35

What was one of the MCP's successes in assassination?

Answer 35

The MCP succeeded in assassinating Sir Henry Gurney, the High Commissioner of Malaya, in 1951.

Question 36

What is a trade union?

Answer 36

A trade union is an organization formed by workers to protect their rights and interests, often addressing issues such as salaries and working conditions.

Question 37

Why did the MCP begin taking violent measures to achieve its objectives?

Answer 37

The MCP felt it had no option but to wage war for their principles after a proposed law was passed that would restrict trade union powers and potentially lead to the outright banning of their party.

Question 38

What deepened British concerns over communism after 1949?

Answer 38

The victory of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the Chinese Civil War heightened British fears of the growing influence of communism, especially among the Chinese immigrant population in Malaya and Singapore.

Question 39

What factors contributed to the political awakening in Singapore during the post-war period?

Answer 39

The Japanese Occupation, the humiliation of Europeans, India's struggle for independence, and Mao's struggle in China all contributed to the political awakening in Singapore.

Question 40

Why was a political awakening important to Singapore in its path to independence?

Answer 40

A political awakening was crucial as it motivated the people of Singapore to act towards achieving independence from colonial rule.

Question 41

What did Britain's approach to reasserting its rule over Malaya and Singapore after World War II fail to recognise?

Answer 41

Britain planned to reassert its rule but failed to recognize the changed attitudes of the people after their surrender to the Japanese, leading to fierce resistance against their colonial plans.