what were people’s views of british before the Japanese occupation?
superior as they were the ruler/governors in charge of singapore(colonial masters)
what were people’s views of British after the Japanese occupation?
cowards as they gave up singapore without a fight
What do you think were the reasons that led to the change in attitudes of the Chinese?
- How the British cannot be trusted to defend singapore
- How easily the British was defeated by an Asian power(Japan)
Why was the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) popular in Singapore?
They fought against/resisted the Japanese during ww2
Considering the actions of the MCP during the Japanese Occupation, what do you
think the MCP wanted to do in Malaya and Singapore after the war?
Establish Singapore and Malaya as communist states after ww2
what did the MCP do in Singapore and Malaya in the post-war?
- Stirring up anti-colonial feelings among the workers and students
- Attacked rubber plantations and tin mines in Malaya(ie. started most violent acts against the British)
Why was the British afraid of MCP and Communism?
- Violence
- Concerned that the MCP was instigated by Russia and china
Why would the British feel worried about the attitudes of the Chinese community
towards the MCP? How would it affect their return to Singapore?
Emotion: worried
These Chinese might influence others in Singapore after they came back from communist china
What was problem faced by locals(housing)
Houses destroyed during the war
- lived in slums which were unsanitary
Post war baby boom(sudden increase in birth rate)resulted in overcrowding
What did British do to counter housing challenges?
Established the Singapore Improvement Trust (1927) to build low cost-housing
- Average 1742 units built
Not enough – 10,000 units needed
How did the people view the British after their attempts?
- unhappy
-dissatisfied
What problem did locals face?(work)
- Ports damaged in the war
SG as a trading center was dependent on foreign trade
-Unsatisfactory work conditions led to Trade Unions demanding change - 300 strikes, 70,000 workers
What did British do to solve the issue of trade?
Repaired ports to allow for trade:
demand for tin/rubber resulted in increased trade
Thus, Laws to control trade unions (1947)
- Register unions: Monitor membership, not allowed to use funds to organize protest/strikes
but : Trade unions continued to be active
How did the people view the British after their attempts?(work)
Unhappy as they unable to fight for the rights of the workers
What were the problems faced by locals(food)?
War disrupted shipping, Rice-producing countries do not have enough rice to export
Wartime rationing continued
- Increased food prices
- Malnutrition
What did the British do to address the food shortage?
Provided people with additional meals:
people restaurants, 10 were established by 1946
But: Black market continued due to insufficient resources and necessities and they were supported by the BMA officials
How did the people view the
British after their attempts?
Unhappy and there was a growing interest to take over the government and rule over singapore themselves
Why were there riots in early 1950s?
- Maria Hertogh Riots(1950)
- Anti-national service riots(1954)
What happened in Maria hertogh riots?
The reason for the Maria Hertogh riots was due to the local’s dissatisfaction with the British
government. Maria, who grew up as a Muslim, was placed in a catholic convent while
waiting for the court case. The court ruled that Maria would be returned to her Dutch
parents. This made the Muslim community perceive the British as favouring their
fellow Europeans. Feeling that they were unfairly treated and disrespected due to their
religion, the growing resentment against the British eventually erupted into violence to express
their unhappiness.
What happened in anti-national service riots(1954)?
- British started conscription army as they felt that responsibility to defending Singapore should be spread more evenly among the population
- Chinese middle school students disagreed with British opinions
- theirs studies had been disrupted by the war(upset that if they had to enlist in national service, their studies would be further disrupted)
- felt that the British discriminated against Chinese education while favouring English medium schools
Similarity between Maria Hertogh Riots and Anti-national service riots
Reasons for riots: growing unhappiness with the British
Impact on the country: people injured/killed, unrest and instability in the country
Differences between Maria Hertogh riots and anti-national service riots
Maria Hertogh:
- Muslim community
- Eurasian/european
- biological parents still got the custody(Dutch)
-exposed and increased racial tensions
Anti-national service riots
-Chinese middle school students
-postponed the introduction of NS
-exposed the unhappiness with the British and the growing concern with communists infiltrating schools(trade unions)
How Did the British Respond to the Changing Attitudes of the Locals?
gave the people in Singapore more opportunities because they:
(i) wanted to give citizens a sense of belonging and ownership in Singapore
(ii) were aware of the increase in discontent the locals had towards the British.
In 1955 elections, what change was introduced?
Eligible voters were automatically registered
