7 affect brit Flashcards
Weakening of colonial rule
Anti-colonial sentiments had been growing in Asia before WWII due to the suffering caused by colonial rule. The defeat of European powers by Japan in WWII shattered the myth of European superiority. The hardship caused by the Japanese Occupation intensified anti-colonial feelings. After Japan’s surrender, colonies saw an opportunity to challenge colonial rule. India declared independence from Britain in 1947, Indonesia gained independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1949, and Vietnam ended French colonial rule in 1954. Explanation: These events demonstrated the weakening of colonial rule and inspired locals in Singapore, who had long desired independence. The success of decolonization in other parts of Asia motivated Singaporeans to press for more local power. This led to the formation of local political parties that pushed for elections and greater local participation. Consequently, the British introduced constitutional changes, setting the stage for Singapore’s eventual independence.
Even before WWII, anti-colonial sentiments had been growing in many places due to people’s suffering under European colonial rule.
Witnessing the Europeans defeated by an Asian power and the experiences of the subsequent Japanese Occupation accelerated the growth of these anti-colonial and nationalistic feelings.
After Japanese surrender, people in different places saw the chance to rise up against their European colonial rulers to govern themselves and decide their own destinies.
Decolonization:
The process by which colonies become independent of the colonizing country.
Asian countries which attained independence after the war
India gained independence from Britain in 1947
Indonesia gained independence from Netherlands in 1949
Vietnam gained independence from France in 1954
Malaya gained independence from Britain in 1957
As news of neighbouring places overthrowing their colonial rulers and gaining independence travelled, people in other places who also longed to be free from colonial rule were encouraged that they can do the same!
Some of them translated their longing into action and started getting involved in more political activities
What was the post-war situation in Singapore like?
Increasing demands for Decolonization in Asia
Sufferings endured during the Japanese Occupation led to changing mindsets among the people towards British rule
Post-war Problems and
Largely Ineffective Solutions
Growing influence of communism
The Cold War began after WWII due to ideological conflicts between the USA and Soviet Union. Communism, promoted by the Soviet Union, gained support in colonies like Malaya and Indonesia as it opposed colonial rule. Post-war hardships led some people to support communist ideologies. The Malayan Communist Party (MCP) gained significant support, particularly among the Chinese community, due to its anti-Japanese resistance during the war. The MCP aimed to overthrow British rule and establish a communist government in Malaya and Singapore. They incited anti-colonial sentiments through trade unions and Chinese-medium schools and sabotaged the economy by attacking British-owned rubber plantations and tin mines. In June 1948, the British declared a State of Emergency in Malaya, and the MCP was declared illegal. The threat of communism increased after China became a communist state in 1949. Explanation: The Cold War and the rise of communism led some in Singapore and Malaya to view communism as a viable alternative to colonial rule. The MCP’s actions and influence fueled dissatisfaction with British rule. The British, fearing a communist takeover, became more willing to address local grievances and grant political concessions, which eventually led to significant constitutional changes.
What was the Cold War?
A conflict that begun after WWII between 2 superpowers, the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR).
Both had been allies during WWII but were unable to continue cooperating due to their ideological differences
US: Democracy/Capitalism vs USSR: Communism
Ideology (in this context): A set of ideas about how society should be run, determining:
Who should be in control
How wealth should be created and shared
How important people’s interests should be in comparison to society’s overall interests
Objective
Communism is an ideology that advocates for a classless society in which all property and wealth are communally-owned, instead of by individuals
Beliefs
One-party rule
Government controls all resources needed to produce goods and decides how they should be distributed to address the people’s needs
Prioritising the good of the society above the self
Supporters
People who felt unfairly treated by those who governed themCommunism opposed colonial rule for its exploitation of people.
The most prominent Communist organization in Malaya and Singapore
Goals
Overthrow the British and establish communist governments in Malaya and Singapore
Supporters
Had popular support amongst the Chinese community due to their fierce resistance of the Japanese as the MPAJA during the Japanese Occupation
Post-war Activities in Singapore
Stirred up anti-colonial sentiments in the people, but especially in trade unions and Chinese-medium schools
Infiltrated trade unions: Demands for better work conditions and pay
Infiltrated Chinese middle schools: Demands for better future for Chinese school students
The British viewed them as a threat
Britain was anti-communist and feared that Singapore and Malaya would turn communist in their struggle for independence
British fears were heightened after China became a communist country in 1949 - Feared that Communism would spread fast in Singapore as there were many Chinese immigrants here
Beginning with the MCP’s attacks on British-owned rubber plantations and tin mines in Malaya, the Malayan Emergency was a twelve year armed conflict between the MCP and the British
Suppressing the Trade Unions
Suspecting that the communists were behind the growth in anti-colonial sentiments and strikes in the trade unions, the British passed laws to control the trade unions
From 1947, all unions had to register with the government, allowing the government to closely monitor their membership and activities
Trade unions were no longer allowed to use their funds to organize strikes and protests against the government
1948 Elections
Noting the locals’ dissatisfaction, and in a bid to win the locals’ support, for the first time, the British held an election in 1948 which allowed locals to elect their representatives in the Legislative Council – 6 out of 22 members could be elected.
The Singapore Progressive Party (SPP) emerged as the most successful local political party in the elections, winning 3 of the 6 seats.
To be eligible to vote, you had to either be born in Britain or in British colonies – Led to many recent immigrants not being able to vote
Out of Singapore’s total population of 960,000, only 14,000 voters turned up to vote
