Chapter 7 (how did external developments influence the People's responses to British Rule after WW2)

Question 1

how did the external developments influence the People’s responses to British Rule after world war 2

Answer 1

weakening of colonial rule

growing influence of communism

Question 2

weakening of colonial rule

Answer 2

JO further accelerated growth of anti-colonial feelings
after Japanese surrender, ppl in diff places saw the chance to rise up against the European colonial rulers
India, the most populous British colony, gained independence in 1947
two years later Indonesia gained independence from Dutch
In 1954, Vietnamese overthrew their French colonial masters
this encouraged those who wished to be free from British rule

Question 3

growing influence of communism

Answer 3

Cold War (conflict between United States and Soviet Union)
although they were allies during ww2, their differences in ideology made continued cooperation after war unsustainable -> tensions

Question 4

United states
ideology
who should have control in the country
how should the wealth in the country be created and shared
how important are people’s individual interests compared to society’s overall interest?

Answer 4

Democracy/Capitalism
believed in free elections (could be contested by more than one political party)
private ownership (upheld enterprise and property ownership people could own businesses, and buy and sell goods)
Individual Before Community (valued individual freedom)

Question 5

Soviet Union
ideology
who should have control in the country
how should the wealth in the country be created and shared
how important are people’s individual interests compared to society’s overall interest?

Answer 5

communism & dictatorship (upheld one-party rule, only Communist Party was allowed) 
Government Ownership (believed goods should be allocated to people according to their needs. Government control all resources needed to produce these goods, such as factories and farms)
Community Before Individual (regarded individual freedom as less impt than the benefit of society)

Question 6

communism (comic)

Answer 6

communist ideas appealed to many who felt unfairly treated by those who governed them
Europe, late 19 & early 20th centuries: idea of more equal society attractive to those who suffered exploitation by powerful rulers/ wealthy land & business owners
1957, communists in Russia tried to overthrow the country’s leaders and take control
after violent civil war, they succeeded in establishing Soviet Union
BUT
established a dictatorship to give themselves more power to shape society according to their goals
-> political freedom severely limited
government seized property previously owned by individuals (e.g. private farms) and placed them under the state’s control
many who opposed the government arrested/killed
communism opposed colonial rule for exploitation of people
many supporters in European colonies e.g. Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaya before they had gained independence
British (ally of United States in Cold War concerned that its colonies, e.g. Malaya and SG would fall under communist control, in SG, Malayan Communist Party had considerable support. Many ppl esp those in Chinese community rem how MCP helped in resistance against Japanese)

Question 7

more abt communism

Answer 7

communism opposed colonial rule for exploitation of people
many supporters in European colonies e.g. Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaya before they had gained independence
British (ally of United States in Cold War concerned that its colonies, e.g. Malaya and SG would fall under communist control, in SG, Malayan Communist Party had considerable support. Many ppl esp those in Chinese community rem how MCP helped in resistance against Japanese)

Question 8

what the MCP did

Answer 8

turned attention to ending British rule & establishing communist governments in Malaya & SG
In SG amid post-war economic difficulties, MCP worked to influence trade unions & Chinese-medium schools
stirred up anti-colonial feelings
attacked rubber plantations & tin mines in Malaya (Many owned by British) -> heightened British fears
3 European rubber planters in Malaya murdered in June 1948
State of Emergency declared, MCP declared illegal (Malayan Emergency lasted from 1948-1960)
conflict killed/wounded several thousand civilians & military personnel

Question 9

abt CPC communist party in china

Answer 9

1949, victory of Communist Party of China (led by Mao Zedong in Chinese Civil War
(most populous country)
entered communist bloc
(sizeable/large Chinese immigrant population in SG & Malaya -> British feared appeal of communist ideas would grow among them)
British wanted to reassert rule
WW2 and JO changed people’s attitudes towards them -> fierce resistance -> British adapt plans by addressing people’s concerns & winning support