Sec 2 Chapter 9 - Security Challenges and Solutions after Independence

Question 1

List the 4 security challenges that Singapore faced after independence?

Answer 1

Konfrontasi
Communist & international terrorism
Vietnam War
British withdrawal of military troops

Question 2

Name one incident that was caused by the Konfrontasi in 1965?

Answer 2

Macdonald house bombing

Question 3

Why was Konfrontasi a challenge to Singapore’s security?

Answer 3

Threatened the peace and internal security in Singapore

Question 4

Who hijacked the ferry boat Laju and held the crew members hostage?

Answer 4

Foreign terrorists

Question 5

Why was the Singapore government worried about the Vietnam War?

Answer 5

Feared that the war in Vietnam would spread to the rest of Southeast Asia and destablise Singapore

Question 6

Which year did the British announce that it would withdraw its military forces from Singapore?

Answer 6

1967

Question 7

Why was Singapore hardly able to defend itself?

Answer 7

It only had 2 battalions of regular infantry that consists of 50 officers and about 1000 men each

Question 8

What were the two approaches that Singapore government used to tackle security challenges?

Answer 8

Deterrence and Diplomacy

Question 9

What is the definition of Deterrence?

Answer 9

Build a credible defence force that would make any potential enemies think twice before attacking

Question 10

What is the definition of Diplomacy?

Answer 10

Establish and develop strong relationships with governments and defence forces around the world

Question 11

List 3 deterrence solutions that Singapore came up with.

Answer 11

1. Introduction of National Service
2. Establishing a home-grown defence industry

3.Strengthening military cooperation with other countries

Question 12

What did Singapore do to solve the limited manpower after the British withdrew their forces?

Answer 12

Introduced National Service in 1967

Question 13

Who was required to join National Service?

Answer 13

Singaporean Men above 18 years

Question 14

How many years did men need to serve NS for?

Answer 14

2

Question 15

How did National Service solve Singapore’s security challenges?

Answer 15

It solved the problem of limited manpower in the armed forces

Question 16

What did Singapore need to do to be self-sustainable in terms of weapons?

Answer 16

Establish a home-grown defence industry

Question 17

What is the name of the organization that was established to produce ammunition and weapons for the SAF?

Answer 17

Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS)

Question 18

Why was establishing a home-grown defence industry necessary for Singapore?

Answer 18

Allowed Singapore to be self-sufficient

Reduced its reliance on foreign countries for all its military weapons and equipment

Question 19

What did Singapore do to strengthen its military cooperation with other countries?

Answer 19

Established the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA)

Question 20

List the 5 member countries that were part of Five Power Defence Arrangments (FPDA)

Answer 20

1.Singapore
2.Malayasia
3.Australia
4.Britain
5.New Zealand

Question 21

Why was strengthening military cooperation with other countries important ?

Answer 21

Allowed Singapore to learn from other more experienced armed forces and seek help when necessary

Question 22

List 2 diplomatic solutions that Singapore came up with.

Answer 22

1. Developing diplomatic relations with other countries
2. Joining international and regional organisations

Question 23

Why was it important for other countries to recognize Singapore’s independence?

Answer 23

Hostile countries could claim that Singapore had no right to exist, and could threaten, coerce and even invade it

Question 24

What is the definition of bilateral relations?

Answer 24

Relationship between two countries

Question 25

Which 2 countries did Singapore establish bilateral relations with?

Answer 25

USA and China

Question 26

List the 2 organizations that Singapore joined once it gained its independence?

Answer 26

1. United Nations (UN)
2. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)