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How did the British try to win back local support? - Coggle Diagram
How did the British try to win back local support?
Meeting housing challenges
Due to the destruction of houses during the war, people lived in overcrowded conditions.
The British established low-cost housings and built more shop units and housing.
With decent and comfortable homes, people will trust the British for their well-being and support them.
Addressing food shortages
The war disrupted shipping, affecting the flow of food supplies in SG. Neighboring rice-producing countries did not have enough rice to export to SG -->food shortage-->widespread malnutrition, wages could not keep up with rising food prices
The British established People's restaurants to provide affordable meals.
Locals get affordable food --> they trust the British with their welfare--> lend support to them
Managing industrial unrest
More than 300 factory strikes in 1947 disrupted the economy due to unsatisfactory working conditions and communist influence.
The British passed a law in 1947 to control trade unions on strike. They must register and not use their funds to protest against the British.
Hence, less strikes-->peace and order-->trust the British to provide safety--> british gain their support
Rebuilding the Economy
War damaged economy--> people lost their job-->businessmen lost money--->trades stall-->not enough funds to improve country-->people unhappy with British for not improving their lives fast enough.
British repaired ports, trades quickly bounce back surpassing pre-war levels --> more trades --> more funds generated to improve people's lives
locals' lives were returning back to normal --> trades resume and people have jobs--> people have confidence in British now--> support them instead of opposing
Allowing local political participation
MCP attempted to fight for independence violently--> influenced trade unions to cause unrest and chaos, challenging the British rule
British began allowing locals to form a political party --> contest in the 1948 election --> allows locals to vote for their own ppl to represent them in the Legislative Council
Locals feel represented --> able to make decisions on themselves and learn from the British. ppl will not need MCP to fight for them anymore since they could be part of govt. They worked for the British instead of oppose them