Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Chapter 6: What Aspirations Did the People Have for SG After 1945? (I and…
Chapter 6: What Aspirations Did the People Have for SG After 1945? (I and II)
Constitutional Changes from 1946 to 1959
SG was still under British rule, British were aware tjat they could not govern SG in the same way they did before the war
British introduce constitutional changes to increase local involvement in the government.This was partly in response to the political awakening taking place in SG
Changes
The Right to Vote
Limited elections were introduces in 1948. Eligible voters in SG were allowed to vote for their representatives in the Legislative Council. Main body that made laws for SG. Elected representatives could raise concerns bout local issues. After 1948, more people became eligible to vote. This was especially so after the CItizenship Ordinance was passed in 1957.
Control over Gov
More control over gov was given to the local people. A commission which was led by a British official, recommended that limited self-gov granted to SG in 1955. Elected local members in gov and local ministers increased overtime.
Control over gov was further increased with the attainment of internal self-gov in 1959. Number of local members elected to the Legislative Assembly increase. This allowed the locals to have greater say in goving SG.
Area of responsibility under local control also increased. e.g. education, finance, health, housing, trade and industry as well as law and labour were under control of elected local ministers
Developments that Led to Constitutional Changes in SG
External Developments
Rise of communism
Malayan Communist Party (MCP) aka (MPAJA). Wanted an immidiate end to British rule. They attacked rubber plantations and tin mines in Malaya. In SG, they tried to spread their influence to the trade unions and Chinese-medium schools to stir up workers' and students' feelingss against the British.
British was anti communist. Feared its colonies would turn communist in struggle for independence.
This led to introducing constitutional changes in Malaya and SG to win support from locals
Many countries moved towards independence
Internal Developments
Rise of political consciousness that took place in SG after 1945
Questioning about British superiority as they thought it was unfair held most important positios in gov.
Some people took interest in political future while some were less concerned bout SG future and instead rebuild their lives after JO
1950s, people gained momentum in interest bout the political development of SG. More groups emerge to push British gov for political changes. British colonial gov recognised this development and influence of external developments.
Knew they had to give more political control to local people.
People Aspirations from 1945 to 1959
Different groups
Labour Front (LF)
Sought to protect workers' interest and originated from SG Labour Party (SLP). They left the SLP due to lacking a clear political aim. Members left and found LF. Chose David Marshall to become their leader
Was multi-racial and included low-income and EL-educated members of the trade unions. Anti-communist and believed that working with British to attain self-gov would give them oppotunity to improve workers rights.
Singapore Progressive Party (SPP)
Multi-racial party made up of mainly EL-educated professionals and businessmen. Open to all British subjects. Led by John Laycock, Tan Chye Cheng and N.A. Mallal, all of whom were lawyers.
Wanted to achieve self-gov for SG. Wanted to introduce change gradually. Sought to represent the interest English-speaking professionals and the middle-class, who were born in SG
Did not seem to win support of the China-born Chinese immigrants
People's Action Party (PAP)
Multi-racial and comprised mainly EL-educated lawyers, journalists and trade unionists. Members such as Lee Kuan Yew and Dr Toh Chin Chye, pursued their education in Britain. Participated in Malayan Forum, a gathering of overseas students from Malaya who met to discuss bout the country's political future. Shaped the political belief and aspirations of the founding members of PAP
Against British colonial rule in SG an wanted immediate independence for SG and hoped to achieve it by uniting SG with Malaya. Believed constitutional changes introduced by colonial gov would provide them with oppotunity to influence how SG was gov. Thought it was crucial to gain support of the masses, including support of workers, trade unions and students in Chinese- medium schools
Chinese Middle School Students
Chinese-med schools that offered sec and pre-uni education. Mainly set up by Chinese philanthropists (people who donate large sums of money or property for social causes) and recieved little support from the British.
Had limited oppotunity to pursue a university edu in SG. Went to China to further studies. Colonial gov banned people who visit China from returning to SG as an attempt to stop communism ideas. This meant students couldn't return to China unless they chose to never return to SG
Students also had poor job prospects as they had difficulty getting jobs.
National Service(NS) riot in 1954
Thought British were not concerned bout student's intrests
Many students were old enough to qualify for NS. JO disrupted their schooling, and they didn't want their studies to be further disrupted.
Miscommunication: Many students thought they would be sent into Malayan jungle to fight in the Emergency. Some were unwilling to defend the colonial gov, which they believed had neglected their interest
13 May 1954: held a peaceful demonstration against NS. But postponement was rejected. British colonial gov deployed the police to end demonstration. Students clashed against police
Student demonstration continued over next few weeks. 22 May, students locked themselves as part of the protest. They left the next day when their parents persuaded them to leave. Due to the riots, the British decided to postpone the registration for NS
Trade Unions
Meant to protect rights and welfare of workers in SG. Some were formed under influence of the MCP. Former student leaders from Chinese Middle Schools became leaders in these unions. Organise anti-colonial activities, able to reach out to and influence the views of the masses through these unions
Were concerned with improving workers conditions. Felt British colonial gov sided with the employers and did little to protect workers' interest. Wanted immediately change to their working conditions and protested in streets to secure demands
British colonial gov suspicious trade unions were under communist influence and would stir up unrest in SG. Members were often arrested. Increased distrust of trade unions towards the British and therefore did not want to work within constitutional changes
Trade unions still remain suspicious of the British. This was due to disputes regarding workers' pay and working conditions remained unresolved. April 1955, Hock Lee Bus Company went on strike for better pay and working conditions. Police were called in to control the workers an riots broke out.
May 1955: Negotiated a settlement with the workers and Hock Lee Bus Company, bringing an end to the riots. Many members of the trade unions were still distrustful of the gov and continued to organise rallies and protests
Aspirations of the Voters in 1955
More people got to vote due to automatic registration of voters. Diff political parties worked hard to excite people's interest in politics during the election campaign. They made house visits, distributed pamphlets and gave rally speeches to help people understand what they sought to achieve for SG
LF won. British thought SPP would win. Therefore, David Marshall became SG's first Chief Minister. Labour Front Gov from 1955 to 1959. Many people wanted freedom from colonial rule
Demands on the British Gov
LF gov led 2 delegations to London to negotiate for internal self-gov for SG aka Merdeka Talk. First one was led by David Marshall in 1956. He said if he failed, he would resign. It didn't work out as the British gov thought SG wasn't ready for self-gov. Therefore, Marshall kept his promise and resigned as Cheif Minister.
The second talk was led by Lim Yew Hock, who suceeded Marshall as Chief Minister, suceeded in securing internal self gov for SG from the British Gov
Demands on the LF Gov
Marshall: Trade Unions and Chinese middle school students distrusted LF gov as they felt that the British was still in control
Marshell: Thought they were unfairly treated. Demanded more changes that could improve their work conditions and education. He was sympathetic.to their demands and did not take strong action against them. British thought Marshall wasn't able to manage problems on his own
Lim Yew Hock: Took tough actions to control the Chinese middle school students and trade unions. Gov was concerned they were under communist influence. Therefore, British were impressed and willing to grant internal self-gov.
Prep for internal Self-Gov
Securing internal self-gov was an important stage in SG's political development. Local officials could exert control over internal aspects of gov, such as housing, finance and trade and industry. External affairs and defences remained under the British control. Internal security was shared between local officials and the British.
General Election
Held on 30 May 1959. All 51 seats were contested. Much more people voted compared to the previous election. More party took part in the election.
LF was renamed to Singapore People's Alliance (SPA). They only won 4 seats out of the 39 seats they contested. Instead, PAP won 43 out of 51 seats they had contested.
The PAP Gov, 1959-1960s
Lee Kuan Yew became SG first Prime Minister
First gov in SG in which all its members were elected by the people
More people with diverse background taking on SG citizenship, PAP gov saw the need to nurture a sense of belonging among citizens
National Flag was ununveiled on 3 Dec 1959, along with the State Crest and the National Anthem.
Improved
Public Works and General Welfare
Street Lamps and Water Standpipes were built to provide street lighting and piped water for people.More homes enjoyed amenities such as gas and telephone services.
Housing
Housing Development Board (HDB) was formed in Feb 1960 to adress the housing needs of people. Over 26000 flats were built in 3 years. End of 1965, 23% of populations were living in flats built by HDB
Employment
Between June 1959 and April 1963, various factories manufacturing goods such as cotton wool, mirrors, clothing and condensed milk were set up.
Education
Schoolds were built and teachers were recruited to provide more educational opportunities for people. School enrolment increased rapidly from 1959 to 1963.