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chp 8 HOW DID SG BECOME AN INDEPENDENT NATION? - Coggle Diagram
chp 8
HOW DID SG BECOME AN INDEPENDENT NATION?
WHY did the PAP gov pursue a MERGER with Malaya?
PAP's promise:
1959 election -> SG's independence thru merger with Malaya
Political Independence
Merger seemed to be the only way the Brits would let go of control over SG
WHY?
During Cold War
Brits feared that SEA would fall under communist control
(from communist China and rising communist Indonesia & Vietnam)
Brits wanted to safeguard SG & Borneo territories from spread of communism
Brits wants merger
to prevent communism in formation of Malaya, SG, North Borneo (present day Sabah), Sarawak & Brunei
Economic Survival
SG can't survive economically without Merger
WHY?
Malaya is the
hinterland
which produces rubber & tin
the
base
that made SG the capital city
Reasons For Merger
SG lacked natural resources
Rapidly growing population in need of jobs
Declining entrepot trade
SG's neighbours became independent, hence direct exports through their own ports
reduce SG's imp as a regional trading port
In 1950s Malayan gov introduced tariffs (tax) on goods traded with SG
More exp -> reduce trade
if
Common Market
could be established thru merger
1 more item...
WHAT WAS MALAYA'S RESPONSE TO A POSSIBLE MERGER
Malaya's Initial Response
Malayan Prime Minister
Tunku Abdul Rahman
1903-1990
initially thought Merger w SG meant trouble
WHY?
Main Chinese population in SG reluctant to...
Accept a Malay Sultan as Head of State
Accept Malay as national lang
1961
Tunku began to support idea of Merger
Accept Malay as national lang
Changes to racial makeup in new federation
Merger -> Chinese pop outnumbers Malay pop
suspected that many Chinese sympathise communists
Because, many led & supported strikes of 1950s
WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF THE "BATTLE FOR MERGER"?
WHY DID SG SEPERATE FRM MALAYSIA?