Why Were There Riots In The Early 1950s?

Question 1

What were the major riots in Singapore during the early 1950s?

Answer 1

Major riots broke out in the first half of the 1950s, marking a turbulent period in Singapore’s history.

Question 2

What event triggered the Maria Hertogh Riots?

Answer 2

The Maria Hertogh Riots were triggered by a custody battle over a 13-year-old girl named Maria Hertogh.

Question 3

When did the Maria Hertogh Riots take place?

Answer 3

The Maria Hertogh Riots took place in late 1950.

Question 4

What is custody?

Answer 4

Custody is the legal right or duty to provide protection and care for someone.

Question 5

Who was Maria Hertogh?

Answer 5

Maria Hertogh was born in Java in 1937 to Dutch Catholic parents.

Question 6

What happened to Maria during the Japanese Occupation?

Answer 6

Maria’s mother, Adeline Hertogh, left her in the care of a local family friend, Che Aminah.

Question 7

What name was Maria given by Che Aminah?

Answer 7

Maria was renamed Nadra binte Ma’arof and raised in the Muslim faith.

Question 8

What legal action did Adeline take in 1950?

Answer 8

Adeline tried to reclaim her daughter by making a case to the court in Singapore.

Question 9

What was the judge’s ruling regarding Maria’s custody?

Answer 9

The British judge ruled that Maria be returned to her natural parents.

Question 10

What was Che Aminah’s response to the judge’s decision?

Answer 10

Che Aminah appealed against the judge’s decision.

Question 11

How was the case portrayed in the media?

Answer 11

The case was sensationalized and portrayed as a religious issue between Islam and Christianity.

Question 12

What was the public reaction to the judge’s ruling?

Answer 12

Many Muslims were upset, feeling that their religion was being disrespected.

Question 13

What actions did Che Aminah’s supporters take after the ruling?

Answer 13

Supporters reacted angrily, overturning cars and attacking Europeans and Eurasians.

Question 14

How long did the riots last?

Answer 14

The riots continued for three days.

Question 15

What were the consequences of the riots?

Answer 15

By the end of the riots, 18 people had been killed and 173 injured.

Question 16

What was imposed in response to the violence?

Answer 16

A curfew was imposed.

Question 17

Who was Maria Hertogh?

Answer 17

Maria Hertogh was born in Java in 1937 to Dutch Catholic parents.

Question 18

What happened to Maria during the Japanese Occupation?

Answer 18

Maria’s mother, Adeline Hertogh, left her in the care of a local family friend, Che Aminah.

Question 19

What name was Maria given by Che Aminah?

Answer 19

Maria was renamed Nadra binte Ma’arof and raised in the Muslim faith.

Question 20

What legal action did Adeline take in 1950?

Answer 20

Adeline tried to reclaim her daughter by making a case to the court in Singapore.

Question 21

What was the judge’s ruling regarding Maria’s custody?

Answer 21

The British judge ruled that Maria be returned to her natural parents.

Question 22

What was Che Aminah’s response to the judge’s decision?

Answer 22

Che Aminah appealed against the judge’s decision.

Question 23

How was the case portrayed in the media?

Answer 23

The case was sensationalized and portrayed as a religious issue between Islam and Christianity.

Question 24

What was the public reaction to the judge’s ruling?

Answer 24

Many Muslims were upset, feeling that their religion was being disrespected.

Question 25

What actions did Che Aminah's supporters take after the ruling?

Answer 25

Supporters reacted angrily, overturning cars and attacking Europeans and Eurasians.

Question 26

How long did the riots last?

Answer 26

The riots continued for three days.

Question 27

What were the consequences of the riots?

Answer 27

By the end of the riots, 18 people had been killed and 173 injured.

Question 28

What was imposed in response to the violence?

Answer 28

A curfew was imposed.

Question 29

What were the Anti-National Service Riots of 1954?

Answer 29

They were an expression of anti-colonial feelings in Singapore, triggered by the National Service Ordinance requiring males aged 18 to 20 to register for National Service.

Question 30

What was the National Service Ordinance?

Answer 30

Passed in 1953, it required all males aged between 18 and 20 to register for National Service by May 1954, with penalties for non-compliance.

Question 31

Why did secondary students protest against National Service?

Answer 31

They felt that registering would disrupt their education further and believed the British discriminated against Chinese-medium education.

Question 32

What event marked the beginning of the protests on 13 May 1954?

Answer 32

About 500 students held a protest march against the National Service announcement.

Question 33

What was the outcome of the initial protest on 13 May 1954?

Answer 33

The protest turned violent when riot police clashed with students, resulting in 26 injuries.

Question 34

What action did the British government take following the protests?

Answer 34

They closed all Chinese-medium schools across Singapore, which escalated the unrest.

Question 35

What did students do on 22 May 1954 at Chung Cheng High School?

Answer 35

Thousands locked themselves in classrooms, sang songs, held lessons, and went on a hunger strike.

Question 36

What was the result of the protests regarding National Service registration?

Answer 36

The British government decided to postpone the registration for National Service.

Question 37

What was the impact of the protests on Chinese-educated students?

Answer 37

It boosted their morale, encouraged political activism, and led to the formation of student groups like the SCMSSU.

Question 38

What disparity existed in the education budget in 1950?

Answer 38

80% of the government's education budget went to English-medium schools, while only 6% was allocated to Chinese-medium schools.