to what extent did peoples lives change after independence Flashcards
1
Q
what were the economic challenges
A
- limited access to malaysian hinterland
- threat of unemployment
2
Q
explain limited access to malaysian hinterland
(what were the economic challenges)
A
- Malaysia increased tariffs on Singapore’s exports, raising their prices → lowered demand for Singapore-made goods as Malaysian-made goods were more affordable in comparison.
- Malaysia also reduced volume of exports such as tin and rubber to Singapore. Malaysia sought to process and export these products directly from its own ports instead.
3
Q
explain threat of unemployment
(what were the economic challenges)
A
- In 1965, there were already more than 70,000 unemployed persons out of a total labour force of over 700,000.
- Entrepot trade was declining since WWII, amid growing competition from other ports in the region, which resulted in diminishing job creation.
- Closure of British military bases also negatively affected the 40,000 people dependent on supplying goods and services to British servicemen stationed there.
4
Q
How did Singapore address these Economic Challenges?
A
- economic diversification
- development of infrastructure
5
Q
explain economic diversification
(How did Singapore address these Economic Challenges?)
A
- Development of export-oriented industrialisation where the majority of goods produced would be exported worldwide.
- The Economic Development Board (EDB) was set up to promote industrialisation and to attract Multinational Corporations (MNCs) to set up their factories here.
6
Q
what are some MNCs that set up their operations here
A
- Shell oil refinery
- Seiko (watch components)
- Hewlett-Packard (electronic equipment)
7
Q
what are key industries that singapore developed
A
- Electronics
- Petroleum Refining
- Ship Building and Repairs
- Garments and Textiles
8
Q
Benefits of MNCs setting up operations in Singapore
A
- Employment for thousands of people.
- Valuable technical training and work experience for the locals of Singapore.
- Greater access to modern technology.
- Increased exports of locally manufactured goods to overseas markets.
- Almost 150,000 jobs were created between 1967 – 1973
- Up until 1973, the gross domestic product (GDP) exceeded 10 per cent every year.
9
Q
explain delevopment of infrastructure
(How did Singapore address these economic challenges?)
A
- To support diversification of economy.
- Attract MNCs and other foreign investors.
- To facilitate growth of manufacturing
industries.
10
Q
what are the 6 areas of developement of infrastructure
A
- Telecommunications
- Banking and Finance
- Public Utilities
- Air Transport
- Land Transport
- Sea Transport
11
Q
explain telecommunications
(Development of Infrastructure)
A
- To boost connectivity among industries and households, the telecommunications system was improved.
- 1967 to 1972: the Singapore Telephone Board built the network size to 200,000 telephones.
12
Q
explain banking and finance
(Development of Infrastructure)
A
- Banking and financial services were expanded to meet the needs of MNCs and other companies.
- The Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) was established in 1968 to finance industrialisation and other development projects.
13
Q
explain pubilc utilities
(Development of Infrastructure)
A
- The Public Utilities Board was set up in 1963
- It was responsible for providing water, electricity and gas to industries and households.
- Improved the operating conditions of industries and people’s living conditions
14
Q
explain air transport
(Development of Infrastructure)
A
- Paya Lebar Airport was expanded in the 1960s and 1970s to handle more passenger and cargo traffic.
- In 1975, the government decided to replace it with Changi Airport due to insufficient space for future expansion.
15
Q
explain sea transport
(Development of Infrastructure)
A
- Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) was formed in 1964 to manage port operations.
- Set up port facilities in Jurong, Sembawang, Tanjong Pagar and Pasir Panjang.
16
Q
explain land transport
(Development of Infrastructure)
A
- Roads were constructed to connect industrial areas to housing estates.
- An expressway system was built to reduce the time needed to travel around the island.
17
Q
what were the social challenges
A
- lack of singaporean identity
- poor living conditions in areas of housing
- Education was insufficient to meet the population growth
- Poor public health standards
18
Q
explain lack of singaporean identity
(social challenges)
A
- People came from diverse, ethnic, language, religious and economic backgrounds.
- For the country to progress, there was a need for a sense of belonging.
- Challenging as most students went to schools that were taught in their own vernacular languages.
19
Q
explain poor living conditions in areas of housing
(social challenges)
A
- Singapore experienced rapid population growth and a shortage of housing. As a result, many lived in overcrowded and unhygienic kampongs.
- Many people lived in cramped shophouses, squatter settlements (areas not approved by authorities) or kampongs.
- Lacked basic facilities such as running water, flush toilets and electricity.
20
Q
explain Education was insufficient to meet the population growth
A
- In 1965, Singapore’s literacy rate was at 60 per cent and more than 50,000 babies were born annually.
- Urgent action was needed to ensure that the youth would have the necessary values, skills and knowledge to earn a decent living and help build the nation.
21
Q
explain Poor public health standards
A
- Singapore faced challenges in public health due to overcrowded living conditions and unhygienic conditions.
- There was also a high infant mortality rate. In 1965, there were 273 deaths per 1000 births.
- Infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and cholera were widespread.
22
Q
how did singapore overcome these social challenges
A
- Building social cohesion and sense of belonging
- Providing Public Housing
- Strengthening the Education System
- increase health standards (individual level)
23
Q
explain building social cohesion and sense of belonging
A
- Introduction and evolution of citizenship, Singapore citizens received a pink identity card, as well as certain rights and privileges.
- Creation of national symbols, such as the flag and national anthem.
- Forging of national identity in schools through practices such as singing the national anthem and reciting the pledge.
24
Q
explain providing public housing
A
- In 1960, the Housing Development Board (HDB) was set up to take over the SIT’s task of providing housing for the population.
- By 1965, the HDB constructed 54,000 flats enough to house 25 per cent of the population.
- To help the population better afford their housing, the Central Provident Fund (CPF) was set up to allow them to use their savings.
25
explain strengthening the education system
- Introduction of bilingual policy: English as a common language would help break the language barriers and Mother Tongue would help students retain their cultural roots.
- Greater emphasis on technical subjects: students would have the knowledge and skills to enter the workforce.
- Equal opportunities for boys and girls to go to school.
26
what were the public health challenges faced
- Living conditions
- Air Pollution
- Risk of flooding
- Hawker hygiene
- Public cleanliness
27
what was the problem for living condition
- Most people lived in squatter settlements near waterways.
- Risk of sewage and other pollutants contaminating the water supply.
28
what was the solution
| (living conditions)
- Most people were rehoused in HDB estates
- the Singapore River was cleaned.
29
what was the problem for air pollution
Increased industrial activity in Singapore resulted in polluted air and more health problems
30
what was the solution
| (air pollution)
The Government passed the Clean Air Act in 1971 which regulated the emission of pollutants in the air.
31
what is the problem for risk of flooding
Flooding frequently tookplace which led to spread of diseases such as dengue and cholera.
32
what was the solution
| (risk of flooding)
implemented flood control measures
such as building drains and canals in the 1960s-1970s.
33
what was the problem of hawker hygiene
- A large number of hawkers lacked knowledge of proper hygienic food preparation and waste disposal practices.
- 80% of them were unlicensed which increased the risk of food poisoning.
34
what was the solution
| (hawker hygiene)
All hawkers had to registered and
licensed. They had to observe hygiene
and were moved into hawker centres.
35
what was the problem for public cleanliness
Rubbish was commonly dumped on the streets, attracting pests and became a
potential breeding ground for diseases.
36
other public health measures
- Public health campaigns to increase awareness of important health practices.
- Improving medical facilities to ensure those with urgent need of medical care would get prompt treatments.
- Improving healthcare for school-age children, such as introducing vaccinations and health check-ups.
- Improving maternal and child healthcare through vaccination programmes.
37
how did peoples lives change by the end of 1970s
- Changes in living standards
- Changes in greater rootedness
38
explain changes in living standards
Quality of life of people in Singapore had improved, as many people had better
paying jobs and lived in better conditions. The
number of privately owned cars also increased.
39
explain changes in greater rootedness
More people felt rooted to the nation as they enjoyed a higher standard of living. Many also
owned their own homes which led people to feel a stake in Singapore’s continued success.
