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Singapore's political development in the late 1950s - Coggle Diagram
Singapore's political development in the late 1950s
2 Riots that affected the fate of politics and political parties in Singapore
Hock Lee Bus Riots 1955
Background
Police responded with batons and resulted in injuries to members.
Union members were supported by the Chinese medium schools.
Other bus company members joined in the protest suspected to have communist links. Situation became worse.
Members continued with hunger strike outside bus depot.
Members of the Singapore Bus Workers’ Union (SBWU) went on strike for unfair treatment which resulted in them being dismissed from work.
Consequences
David Marshal was seen as weak in the eyes of the British. They felt that he would be unable to handle the communist and Singapore might turn communist if left in his hands
Significance - They will deny granting Singapore more rights in the Merdeka talk as they felt that a government under Marshall will be weak against the communists. This is major reason why the first Merdeka talk failed. David Marshall resigned after the failed talk.
Lost of lives and chaos to public transport
Workers lost trust in British and the police
Chinese Middle school riots,
1956
Background
Labour Front Chief Minister, Lim Yew Hock banned the SCMS Student Union) in fear of Communism activities.
Protest by 5000 students but unsuccessful.
Government expelled 142 students for suspicion of communist activities. Student protest
Consequences
Students had support of unions.
Students became defiant and willing to fight.
Demonstration became violent.
Troops from Malaya were called to support.
13 people died. 120 injured. Union leaders detained.
Labour Front govt seemed effective in managing challenges and renewed hope for self-government, helped in making the 2nd Merdeka talk a success with the British granting self-government
But the event will cuase Lim Yew Hock's government the support of the masses. In the end, the people voted for PAP instead in the election for self-government.
The First Merdeka Talks (1956) for more independence from the British- Happened after Hock Lee Bus Riots
Talks failed. David Marshall was unable to convinced the British he can make sure that Singapore will be free from communist influence and that he can fend off the communist attempts to seize power due to his handling of the Hock Lee Bus Riots.
David Marshall resigned and Lim Yew Hock took over.
The Second Merdeka Talk
It was successful in getting the British to give Singapore more power to self-government
Reasons for British willingnesss to give Singapore more control
Lim Yew Hock's performance in crushing the Chinese Middle School riots. In the riot, Lim Yew Hock called in British troops (something that Marshall was unwilling to do) and quell the communist inspired riots effectively. As such, the British were convinced that Singapore would be in good hands and not fall into the hands of the communists.
Lim Yew Hock's willingness to compromised on control of internal security. He was willing to surrender control of internal security to the British (i.e. the British can send troops in to crush riots). This quells the British concerns of them not being able to interfere in the event of a communist threat.
British grant Singapore full control of its affairs such as education, finance, but retain control over its foreign affairs, Defence and internal security. PAP won the election - see consequences of the Chinese middle school riots to understand more.
The 1959 election
PAP emerged as the winner with Lee Kuan Yew becoming the first Prime Minister. LKY will lead Singapore into the merger with Malaya and separation from Malaysia and eventually into a First World Country.
Rendel Constitution
Gave Singapore its first election which allowed for the election of representatives in the legislative assembly and also a few Ministers headed by the chief Minister. David Marshall's Labour Front was the winner and David Marshall became the first Chief Minister