to what extent did peoples lives change after independence Flashcards

1
Q

what were the economic challenges

A
  1. limited access to malaysian hinterland
  2. threat of unemployment
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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.
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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.
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4
Q

How did Singapore address these Economic Challenges?

A
  1. economic diversification
  2. development of infrastructure
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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.
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6
Q

what are some MNCs that set up their operations here

A
  • Shell oil refinery
  • Seiko (watch components)
  • Hewlett-Packard (electronic equipment)
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7
Q

what are key industries that singapore developed

A
  • Electronics
  • Petroleum Refining
  • Ship Building and Repairs
  • Garments and Textiles
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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.
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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.
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10
Q

what are the 6 areas of developement of infrastructure

A
  • Telecommunications
  • Banking and Finance
  • Public Utilities
  • Air Transport
  • Land Transport
  • Sea Transport
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
  1. lack of singaporean identity
  2. poor living conditions in areas of housing
  3. Education was insufficient to meet the population growth
  4. 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
  1. Building social cohesion and sense of belonging
  2. Providing Public Housing
  3. Strengthening the Education System
  4. 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
Q

explain strengthening the education system

A
  • 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
Q

what were the public health challenges faced

A
  • Living conditions
  • Air Pollution
  • Risk of flooding
  • Hawker hygiene
  • Public cleanliness
27
Q

what was the problem for living condition

A
  • Most people lived in squatter settlements near waterways.
  • Risk of sewage and other pollutants contaminating the water supply.
28
Q

what was the solution

(living conditions)

A
  • Most people were rehoused in HDB estates
  • the Singapore River was cleaned.
29
Q

what was the problem for air pollution

A

Increased industrial activity in Singapore resulted in polluted air and more health problems

30
Q

what was the solution

(air pollution)

A

The Government passed the Clean Air Act in 1971 which regulated the emission of pollutants in the air.

31
Q

what is the problem for risk of flooding

A

Flooding frequently tookplace which led to spread of diseases such as dengue and cholera.

32
Q

what was the solution

(risk of flooding)

A

implemented flood control measures
such as building drains and canals in the 1960s-1970s.

33
Q

what was the problem of hawker hygiene

A
  • 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
Q

what was the solution

(hawker hygiene)

A

All hawkers had to registered and
licensed. They had to observe hygiene
and were moved into hawker centres.

35
Q

what was the problem for public cleanliness

A

Rubbish was commonly dumped on the streets, attracting pests and became a
potential breeding ground for diseases.

36
Q

other public health measures

A
  • 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
Q

how did peoples lives change by the end of 1970s

A
  • Changes in living standards
  • Changes in greater rootedness
38
Q

explain changes in living standards

A

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
Q

explain changes in greater rootedness

A

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.