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How did the people in Singapore respond to British Rule after WWII? -…
How did the people in Singapore
respond to British Rule after WWII?
Return of the British
Why?
Japan surrendered after atomic bombs were dropped
Japanese Occupation ended; British rule resumed
BMA addressed post-war problems in Singapore
What problems did Singapore face?
Food shortages led to costly black-market sales
Housing shortages caused overcrowding and high rents
Insufficient schools, teachers and textbooks
Students entered workforce due to limited jobs
Trades and businesses disrupted
External Developments
Developments leading to British constitutional changes
Colonial rule weakening, countries gaining independence.
Colonial countries moved towards independence
Eg. India (1947), Indonesia (1954), Vietnam (1954)
Colonised countries increasingly sought independence
Communism rose as the Cold War began
Rise of communism influenced British policy.
Britain feared communist influence in Malaya and Singapore
China's 1949 communist victory heightened fears
Cold war:
Conflict between USA and USSR
communism
Gov ownership
Capitalism
Indiv ownership
British fears of Communism
Britain feared colonies falling under communist control
MCP had popular support in Singapore
Initially fought against Jap in WWII
Aimed to end British rule and establish communism
MCP influenced unions and schools, fueling anti-colonial feelings
MCP attacks against rubber planations and tin mines, heightening British fears
The Rendel Constitution
1955 - Limited self-government
Chief Minister (local)
5 local ministers
(control over education , health , housing , trade and industry)
-
3 British ministers
(Control over law, finance, external affairs, external defence, and internal security)
1955 Elections
Ppl encouraged by promised greater self-government.
Eligible voters automatically registered
Easier to vote
Political parties increased interest in politics
People voted for parties representing their interests
Diff political groups
Singapore Progressive Party
Members:
John Laycock
Tan Chye Cheng
N.A. Mallal
Aims:
Achieve self-government for Singapore from Britain
Introduce changes gradually
Target:
EL educated professionals and middle-class
Labour Front
Members:
David Marshall
Lim Yew Hock
Francis Thomas
Aims:
Improve workers' rights + working conditions
Immediate independance for SG
Attain self-government by working with the British
Target:
Low-income workers, English-educated members of trade unions
People's Action Party
Members:
Lee Kuan Yew
Dr Toh Chin Chye
S. Rajaratham
Dr Goh Keng Swee
Aims:
Immediate independance for SG
Achieved through merger with Malaya
Target:
Low-income workers, trade unions, students in Chinese middle- schools
Process:
Parties spread political messages through outreach and rallies