How did the British attempt to win local support Flashcards
what were the 5 challenges/problems the British needed to address
meeting housing challenges addressing food shortages managing industrial unrest rebuilding the economy allowing local participation
meeting housing challenges (problem)
The problem was that many houses were destroyed and run down during wartime/JO. Singapore’s birth population was rapidly growing/increasing(/birth rate was very high) due to the post-war baby boom, hence many people lived in overcrowded conditions and slums. (highest birth rates in the world in the 1940s and 1950s)
meeting housing challenges (solution)
The solution implemented by the British was the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) that was (established in 1927) provided low-cost housing. (It accelerated its building programme & between 1947 and 1959, it built 20907 housing and shop units. )
(This worked out to an average of 1742 units per year, which was far below the estimated 10000 units per year required to meet the growing population’s housing needs. )
meeting housing challenges (effectivity)
The solution was ineffective as in the short run, although the British tried to accommodate everyone and build houses, it was insufficient. This is so as in the long run, (housing shortages persisted) and many continued to live in cramped conditions throughout the 1950s.
Addressing food shortages (problem)
The war had disrupted shipping, affecting the flow of food supplies to Singapore. Neighbouring rice-producing countries also did not have enough rice to export to Singapore. Therefore, with the lack of supply/ not enough food coming in, wartime food rationing continued. Malnutrition was widespread and wages could not keep up with rising food prices.
Addressing food shortages (solution)
The Social Welfare Department established 10 People’s Restaurants to provide affordable meals (35 cents, extra?) (by the end of 1946)
Addressing food shortages (effectivity)
It was not very effective as it only benefited the workers but not the whole population and the impact was small. This is because the food was not available everyday and not all the locals enjoyed the meals. Thus, it is not sustainable in the long run.
Managing industrial unrest (problem)
The problem was that many Trade Unions had their workers going on strike as it was a way to secure their demands and get immediate change to improve their harsh/unsatisfactory working conditions as they were overworked and had little pay. The strikes took place due to unsatisfactory working conditions, housing and food shortages and thousands of workers from various industries took part in these strikes. In 1947 alone, there were over 300 strikes in Singapore, involving almost 70 000 workers and it was known as “The Year Of Strikes”.
Managing industrial unrest (solution)
(The British officials suspected that communists working within the trade unions were stirring up anti-colonial feelings and instigating the strikes.) Thus, they passed laws where all unions had to register with the government and this enabled the government to (closely?) monitor their membership. The unions were no longer allowed to use their funds to organise strikes and protests against the government. This was a heavy handed approach by the British to clamp down on opposing forces such as the trade unions.
Managing industrial unrest (effectivity)
The solution was ineffective as in the short run, it instilled fear in the people. However, the sentiments against the British are hard to control, leading to many more outbursts of strikes and riots in the 1950s. Hence, in the long run it is ineffective.
Rebuilding the economy (problem)
The trade and industry was crumbling and without the revival of it, people would not have jobs and the government would not have sufficient tax revenues to pay for programmes that improved people’s welfare. The tax was also used for the development of infrastructure and facilities.
Rebuilding the economy (solution)
The British repaired the ports that had been damaged during the war, restoring Singapore’s status as an important trading centre. They also processed and exported raw materials from Malaysia and Indonesia, such as oil, tin and rubber.
Rebuilding the economy (effectivity)
This was effective as shown when the volume of trade eventually surpassed pre-war levels and in the long run, it benefitted Singapore’s growth as a trading port and the worst shortages and hardships ended.
Allowing local participation (problem)
People had strong anti-colonial sentiments and many looked forward to being independent like other countries such as India and Vietnam which gained independence from colonial rule.
Allowing local participation (solution)
Thus the first election in 1948 was the first step towards democracy and was held by the British. For the first time, people in Singapore were given a say in who represented them in the Legislative council. There were 22 members and 6 seats contested by locals.
