Kategoriak: All - government - changes - control - communism

arabera Ashleigh Hazra 9 years ago

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HISTORY- CHAPTER 6

Between 1946 and 1959, Singapore underwent significant political changes while still under British rule. Constitutional reforms aimed at increasing local involvement in governance were introduced, including the right to vote in limited elections from 1948 onwards.

HISTORY- CHAPTER 6

HISTORY- CHAPTER 6

People's aspirations from 1945-1959

Developments Towards the Fulfillment of People's Aspirations from 1955-1960s
Aspirations of diff groups from 1945-1959
Trade Unions

late april 1955- workers from Hock Lee Bus Co. went on strike for better pay and working conditions. police were called in and riots broke out

may19555- govt. negotiated a settlement with the workers bringing a end of riots.

many wanted immediate change to their working conditions

some set-up in 1948 protect workers rights

E.g Singapore Factory and ShopWorkers Union (SFSWU) Singapore Bus Workers Union (SBWU)

Chinese Middle-school students

felt they were unfairly treated by the colonial govt. They doubted the willingness of the British to look after their interests.

Distrust for the British further increased when the police was sent to break up the anti-NS demonstrations.

this was reinforced by the registration of NS in 1954

the students also had poor job prospects

These students had limited opportunity to pursue a uni education SG. They had to go China to further their studies

to stop communist ideas, the colonial govt. banned people w who visited China from coming back to SG.

students could not pursue a uni education unless they chose to never come back to SG.

chinese-medium schools they offered sec and pre-uni eduation

PAP People's Action Party

multi-racial party, comprised mainly of English-educated lawyers, journalists and trade unionists.

crucial to gain support of the masses including the workers,trade union and students in Chinese-medium schools.

against British colonial rule in SG wanted immediate independence for SG hoped to achieve by uniting Malaya and SG.

believed constitutional changes introduced by the colonial government would provide them with the chance to influence how SG was to be governed.

LF Labour Front

multi-racial and included low-income and English educated members of trade unions they participated in 1955 elections LED BY David Marshall

anti-communist and believed that working with the British would help to improve workers rights and their working condition.

sought to protect workers interests

SPP Singapore Progressive Party

multi-racial party made up of mainly English-educated professionals and businessmen LED BY John Laycock, Tan Chye Cheng and N.A Mallal

They did not see the need to win the support of China-born Chinese immigrants

the formed half of the adult population in SG

rep the interests of English speaking professionals and middle-class( born in SG)

Political Developments in SG from 1946 to 1959

Constitutional changes from 1946-1959
Developments that lead to Constitutional Changes

British introduced constitutional changes because of the MCP attacks and communist ideas that were spread

INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS

late 1950s- interest in political development of SG gained momentum

more groups emerged to push the British colonial govt. for political changes.

Some people took interest in political future of SG others focussed on rebuilding their lives after JO

thus they were less concerned with voting

EXTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS

Some Malayans thought communism offered ideas for resisting the British

MCP wanted immediate end to British rule

spread communist ideas to stir up feelings of students and workers against the British

They attacked rubber plantations and tin mines in Malaya

The MALAYAN COMMUNIST PARTY sought to spread communist ideas in SG and Malaya

British were anti-communist and feared that its colonies- Malaya and Singapore would turn communist for independence

Fear was heightened after communist victory in China in 1949. British worried that some Chinese immigrants in Malaya and SG would be influenced by communist ideas from China.

many countries previously colonized were moving towards independence e.g India(1947) from Dutch rulers Vietnam(1954) from French rulers

> SG was still under the british rule >Constitutional changes were introduced >to increase local involvement in the govt.

CONTROL OVER GOVT.

1959- INTERNAL SELF-GOVERNMENT

more areas of government

education, finance, health housing, trade ,industry, law and labour

number of elected locas increased from 1948-1959

SIR GEORGE RENDEL lead a commision which recommended limited self-government to be granted SG in 1955

LIMITED SELF-GOVERNMENT: govt. under control of BOTH local and and external authority local will have control of some areas of government

more governmental control was given to locals

THE RIGHT TO VOTE

Elected Legislative Council could raise concerns about local issues.

s'poreans were allowed to vote for their representatives in their Legislative Council.

Legislative Council: body that made laws for SG

limited elections introduced in 1948

3 major elections held in SG between 1948-1959