by Ashleigh Hazra 9 years ago
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late april 1955- workers from Hock Lee Bus Co. went on strike for better pay and working conditions. police were called in and riots broke out
may19555- govt. negotiated a settlement with the workers bringing a end of riots.
many wanted immediate change to their working conditions
some set-up in 1948 protect workers rights
E.g Singapore Factory and ShopWorkers Union (SFSWU) Singapore Bus Workers Union (SBWU)
felt they were unfairly treated by the colonial govt. They doubted the willingness of the British to look after their interests.
Distrust for the British further increased when the police was sent to break up the anti-NS demonstrations.
this was reinforced by the registration of NS in 1954
the students also had poor job prospects
These students had limited opportunity to pursue a uni education SG. They had to go China to further their studies
to stop communist ideas, the colonial govt. banned people w who visited China from coming back to SG.
students could not pursue a uni education unless they chose to never come back to SG.
chinese-medium schools they offered sec and pre-uni eduation
multi-racial party, comprised mainly of English-educated lawyers, journalists and trade unionists.
crucial to gain support of the masses including the workers,trade union and students in Chinese-medium schools.
against British colonial rule in SG wanted immediate independence for SG hoped to achieve by uniting Malaya and SG.
believed constitutional changes introduced by the colonial government would provide them with the chance to influence how SG was to be governed.
multi-racial and included low-income and English educated members of trade unions they participated in 1955 elections LED BY David Marshall
anti-communist and believed that working with the British would help to improve workers rights and their working condition.
sought to protect workers interests
multi-racial party made up of mainly English-educated professionals and businessmen LED BY John Laycock, Tan Chye Cheng and N.A Mallal
They did not see the need to win the support of China-born Chinese immigrants
the formed half of the adult population in SG
rep the interests of English speaking professionals and middle-class( born in SG)
British introduced constitutional changes because of the MCP attacks and communist ideas that were spread
INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS
late 1950s- interest in political development of SG gained momentum
more groups emerged to push the British colonial govt. for political changes.
Some people took interest in political future of SG others focussed on rebuilding their lives after JO
thus they were less concerned with voting
EXTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS
Some Malayans thought communism offered ideas for resisting the British
MCP wanted immediate end to British rule
spread communist ideas to stir up feelings of students and workers against the British
They attacked rubber plantations and tin mines in Malaya
The MALAYAN COMMUNIST PARTY sought to spread communist ideas in SG and Malaya
British were anti-communist and feared that its colonies- Malaya and Singapore would turn communist for independence
Fear was heightened after communist victory in China in 1949. British worried that some Chinese immigrants in Malaya and SG would be influenced by communist ideas from China.
many countries previously colonized were moving towards independence e.g India(1947) from Dutch rulers Vietnam(1954) from French rulers
CONTROL OVER GOVT.
1959- INTERNAL SELF-GOVERNMENT
more areas of government
education, finance, health housing, trade ,industry, law and labour
number of elected locas increased from 1948-1959
SIR GEORGE RENDEL lead a commision which recommended limited self-government to be granted SG in 1955
LIMITED SELF-GOVERNMENT: govt. under control of BOTH local and and external authority local will have control of some areas of government
more governmental control was given to locals
THE RIGHT TO VOTE
Elected Legislative Council could raise concerns about local issues.
s'poreans were allowed to vote for their representatives in their Legislative Council.
Legislative Council: body that made laws for SG
limited elections introduced in 1948
3 major elections held in SG between 1948-1959
