Chap.7: How did external development influence peoples responses to British rule after WWII

Question 1

What were the factors of the growth of anti-colonial sentiments after WWII?

Answer 1

1. Weakening of colonial rule
2. Growing influence of communism

Question 2

How did the weakening of colonial rule come about after WWII

Answer 2

• Defeat of colonial forces in WWII created demand for decolonization
• After Jap surrender, locals sought to take over
• Nationalists in Indochine and Indonesia rised up to colonial masters, which encouraged Singapore and Malaysia to follow

Question 3

How did the growing influence of communism come about after WWII?

Answer 3

• After WWII, emerged the Cold War
• Alliance between USSR and USA and UK fell apart, USA (democracy) and USSR had differing idealogies
• Since communism opposed colonial rule, many supported it
• Malayan emergency: MCP attacked rubber plantations, then made illegal

Question 4

What were the attempts made by the British to try and win local support?

Answer 4

1. Meeting housing challenges
2. Addressing food shortages
3. Rebuilding the economy
4. Allowing local political participation
5. Managing social unrest

Question 5

How did the British try to win local support by meeting housing challenges?

Answer 5

• Post war SG had shortage of housing
• Faced rising population due to baby boom
• Solution: Tasked to build more housing
• Between 1947-59, 20907 units were built
• Efforts too little to meet demand

Question 6

How did the British try to win local support by addressing food shortages?

Answer 6

• war distrupted shipping and flow of food supplies
• Rice producing countries like Thailand did not produce enough for export-> malnutrition
• Solution: People’s restaurants were set up to make sure locals had affordable good meals

Question 7

How did the British try to win local support by managing social unrest?

Answer 7

• Poor working conditions+housing+food shortages lead to waves of strikes
• Workers were unhappy with their wages
• !947- more than 300 waves of strikes
• eg. Devan Nair, concerned with improving conditions, wanted change and improvement
• SOLUTION: British resorted to passing legislation that made it compulsary to sign with trade union
• Moniter control of unions that were controlled by communists, not allowed to use funds to organise attacks

Question 8

How did the British try to win local support by rebuilding the economy?

Answer 8

• British repaired the port, removed sunken ships, as it was a crucial part of SG economic success
• This occured when there was a demand for tin and rubber
• By 1948, SG was restored to prewar status
• In 1950s, continued its entrepot trade. processed and exported oil, tin and rubber from Malaya and Indonesia

Question 9

How did the British try to win local support by allowing local participation politically?

Answer 9

• British allowed some political participation in the late 1940s
• Singapore could elect six representetives in the Legislative Council
• Only one political party, Singapore Progressive party had participated

Question 10

What were the causes of the Maria Hertogh riots in 1950

Answer 10

Causes:
* Maria’s parents fought for custody
* Judge put Maria in girl’s home
* She marry a malay teacher
* When trial resumed, judge annuled marriage
* Judge did not recognise Maria as muslim as her father did not consented
* Was placed in convent
* English and Malay press incited locals
* In December the judge gave custody to parents
* Che Aminah appeal was rejected
* Led to Malays rioting