Singapore's Post-WWII History and Independence

Flashcards covering the responses of Singapore's people to British rule, the path to internal self-government, the merger with Malaya, and the eventual separation.

Indonesia Independence

The historical event when Indonesia gained independence from the Dutch in $1949$ as part of the weakening of European colonial rule.

Vietnamese Independence (1954)

The event where the Vietnamese overthrew their French colonial masters in $1954$, signaling the rise against European rule.

Communist Party of China (CPC)

The party led by Mao Zedong that achieved victory in $1949$, causing British concerns over the growing influence of communism to deepen.

Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT)

A body established by the British to provide low cost housing; it built $20,907$ housing and shop units between $1947$ and $1959$.

People's Restaurants

Affordable dining establishments set up by the British to address food shortages, with $10$ locations in Singapore by the end of $1946$.

Entrepot Trade

The type of trade Singapore survived on through the $1950$s after the British repaired ports damaged during World War II.

Legislative Council

The body for which Singaporeans were given a say in representation during the $1949$ election, marking the first step towards democracy.

Maria Hertogh Riots

Riots that occurred in late $1950$ resulting from a custody battle over a $13$-year-old girl.

Anti-National Service Riots

Protests by thousands of students at Chung Cheng High School against the National Service Ordinance.

Rendel Constitution

A British reform that granted locals more political power and served as an important step toward Singapore's self-government.

Labour Front (LF)

The government led by David Marshall which the British viewed as weak due to its handling of the Hock Lee Bus Riots.

First Merdeka Talks (1956)

Failed negotiations where the British doubted the LF government's ability to maintain order and deal with communist threats.

Second Merdeka Talks (1957)

Negotiations that secured full internal self-government for Singapore after Lim Yew Hock compromised on British concerns.

1959 Election

The election where compulsory voting was introduced, leading to $525,000$ voters and a landslide victory for the PAP with $43$ out of $51$ seats.

Common Market

An economic goal of the merger with Malaya intended to create larger demand for Singapore's manufactured goods and create jobs.

Tunku Abdul Rahman

The Malayan leader initially concerned about Singapore's Chinese population and communist influence before agreeing to the merger.

Agreement on Proposed Merger (24 August 1961)

The date Prime Minister Lee Kuan Kew and Tunku Abdul Rahman agreed on terms giving Singapore special status in Malaysia.

Barisan Sosialis

A political group that opposed merger terms and was later weakened by the arrest of its leaders during Operation Coldstore.

Referendum (1 September 1962)

A public vote where $71$ percent of the population chose a merger giving Singapore autonomy in labour and education.

Cobbold Commission

A commission whose findings led North Borneo and Sarawak to agree to join the Federation of Malaysia.

Formation of Malaysia

The event on $16$ September $1963$ where Singapore became one of the Federation’s $14$ member states.

Revenue Contribution Dispute

A disagreement where Singapore expected to contribute $40$% of revenue to the federal government, but the Federal Government demanded $60$%.

Goodwill Committees

Committees formed by the PAP to calm tensions and restore harmonious relations between different races between $1963$ and $1964$.