The document summarizes how the local people responded to British rule after World War 2 in Singapore. It discusses the difficult post-war living conditions like poverty, overcrowding and disease that led to widespread strikes in 1947. The Malayan Communist Party took advantage of these conditions to stir anti-British sentiments. The riots in the early 1950s, including the Maria Hertogh riots in 1950 and the anti-National Service riots in 1954, further expressed the growing anti-British feelings among the local population as they faced economic hardship and felt discriminated against under colonial rule. Reforms like the 1948 elections were a first step towards self-governance but did not satisfy the demands of the people.

1. Chapter 7
How did the local people respond to British rule after WW2?
- British return to Singapore on 5 September 1945 but not instant return to better life for
people.
- Although there was peace, people were still suffering from hardships.
- Many people were jobless, living in poverty, severe shortage of food, water, electricity, and
housing.
- People live in slum conditions and diseases were common due to overcrowded living
conditions, poor sanitation, and lack of health services.
- Cramped living conditions , tuberculosis spreading around , bad sanitary and hygiene
- British try to solve problems and set Singapore back on its feet but some efforts were
inadequate.
How did post-war conditions affect the response of the local people to British rule?
- People not living in good conditions and have a lot of worries. Many were in poverty as price
of food items and other products kept rising.
- Overcrowded living conditions in Chinatown where large family live in crowded living space.
Eg. Rows and rows of back-to-back houses are crammed to the physical limit and conditions
are bad. Rooms contain several separate families and those who cannot share rooms live u
under stairways or in cubicles which are completely dark at all hours of day and no direct
contact with sunlight. Many house only one water tap and all inmates share one bucket-type
latrine (toilet). Dirt and stench very strong.
- Difficult living conditions lead to waves of strikes, work stoppages by thousands of workers
from port, factories, and transport and business companies after 1945.
- Strikes so often in 1947, became “The year of strikes”. More than 300 strikes by 70000
workers in one year.
- Strikes become worse with involvement of Malayan Communist Party (MCP) and they stirred
up feelings of people against British through trade unions.
- Stir up feelings by blaming British for all post-war problems and encourage workers to join
Communist-controlled trade unions to fight for better working conditions and higher pay
- When government realizes strikes organized by communist to create disorder, they use law
to control trade union.
Eg. From 1947, all union has to register with government and government can monitor
membership and check money was not used for Communist-led activities.
- Year of strikes as people not happy and gradual change of Singapore politics start happening.
- Though some only concerned with livelihood, others think about future about Singapore and
change in attitude towards British.
- Change in attitude –
1. During Japanese Occupations British never defend Singapore although ruled Singapore for
over 100 years so they should leave Singapore.
Eg. People think Japanese and British both cannot push them around and Singapore should
self-govern. Locals are capable of running the country.

2. 2. Externally, colonial-rule countries gaining independence. (Eg. India in 1947, largest colony
of British Empire). Influence from external events increase people desire to self-govern.
- At first, British do not want to give up complete control over Singapore when they return but
they know they have to transfer some power to the people so to win the support of locals,
they introduce gradual change.
- In 1948, British introduce elections to allow locals be elected into Legislative Council. (Make
laws)
- People had a choice to decide who represent them in government (choose own leader) and
conduct of election is important feature of democracy or first step towards democracy.
- Steps:
1. People with similar ideas on how country should be run form a political party or a group.
Representatives from various political parties can stand from election in each area.
2. Through visits, speeches, rallies, posters, political parties go around to persuade people to
vote for them.
3. On day of election, voters go to polling centre to vote.
4. At polling centre, voters given a voting slip with different parties’ names to cast their vote.
5. Voting slips are counted and elected candidate is announced. The party with most number
of elected candidates wins.
- Although 1948 elections was first step to democracy, it was low key event as only 13800
among 940000 people came to vote. Many people not eligible to vote.
- Only those born Singaporean can vote. Some who were eligible did not take part as voting
not compulsory.
- Not many parties take part, only SPP (Singapore Progressive Party) took part in 1948 election.
- Singapore progressive party –
1. Formed on 25 August 1947
2. Led by 3 London University educated lawyers: Tan Chye Cheng (C.C. Tan), John Laycock,
N.A. Mallal
3. Made up of English speaking upper class professionals
4. Believe in gradual self-government
5. Merged with another political party to form Liberal Socialist party (LSP)
- SPP won 6 elected seats in Legislative council and 3 other seats won by independents that
stand for elections but do not belong to any political party.
- Change in how Singapore governed between 1867-1942 and 1948?
- SEE GRAPH ON PAGE 148 OF HISTORY TEXTBOOK!!!
- In legislative council, SPP work closely with British government for equal treatment for locals
and European civil servants. SPP also introduce proposal to provide financial security for
workers in retirement or workers no longer able to work.
- SPP not poplar with Chinese-educated as it is made up of English-educated members and
was pro-British, believed in gradual self-government.
- SPP not in hurry to press British for more changes.
Were the riots in early 1950s and expression of anti-British feelings?
- Social and economic problems people face at the end of war continued to 1950s.

3. - Problems cause people to be discontented with British rule.
- 1950 ended with major riot, marked start of a turbulent period in Singapore history.
- Riots : Maria Hertogh riot , Anti-National Service riot
- Maria Hertogh Riot
 Riot broke out over custody battle of 13 year old Maria Hertogh.
 Maria Bertha Hertogh born in Java in 1937 to Dutch Catholic parents.
 Her parents were imprisoned during JO and she came under care of Malay woman,
Che Aminah and her husband.
 She was brought up as a Muslim and named Nadra.
 In 1949,Maria’s mother Adeline Hertogh came to claim her daughter back.
 Maria’s case was brought to high court in Singapore and she was placed under care
of Social Welfare Department.
 In May 1950, court ruled Maria to return to her natural parents and Che Aminah
opposed the decision by sending in an appeal.
 2 months later, Maria was returned to Che Aminah.
 In November 1950, battle for custody ended with Maria returning to natural parents
and Dutch law did not recognize Maria’s marriage as she is under-aged and her
natural father’s consent is not obtained.
 The Muslim community was upset as they felt their law was not respected.
 Meanwhile, court put Maria under care of Catholic convent in Thomson Road.
 Widespread of custody battle in English , Malay , Tamil newspaper
 Reporters and photographers entered convent to take pictures of Maria.
 Che Aminah appealed again for custody of Maria.
 On 11 December 1950, large crowds gathered outside court at Padang to know the
verdict.
 The court rejected the appeal.
 Feeling betrayed that British siding Dutch, supporters at Padang started riot.
 Any Eurasian or European was attacked, cars were overturned and burnt.
 Serious rioting erupted in vicinity of Sultan Mosque and North Bridge and Jalan
Besar roads.
 Riots continue for 3 days and curfew imposed for 2 weeks.
 Troops called in to maintain law and order.
 By 3rd day, situation under control but 18 people killed, 173 injured.
- Anti-National riots
 Riots started by Chinese-educated students when government introduces NS.
 NS ordinance (decree or order) – between 18 to 20 all males must register by May
1954
 Offenders who fail to register will be fined or jailed
 NS not popular among secondary students from Chinese schools.
 Many secondary school students were 20 and above and education disrupted during
war.

4.  Students not willing to defend colonial government which ignored Chinese student’s
interest.
 On first day or registration, very few from Chung Cheng High school and Chinese
High School turned up.
 13 May 1954, more than 1000 students gathered in front of government house
(Istana) to present petition to governor.
 Peaceful demonstration turned into riot when police was called in to disperse crowd.
 The students and the police clashed and 26 people injured, 48 students arrested.
 Students feel no freedom in speech or meetings, showed anti-British sentiments in
daily speeches.
 Main grievance of students is discrimination and inequality in educational and
economic terms for Chinese and English educated. Students have feeling of injustice.
 Most Chinese educated pupils finish school and took unskilled or semi-unskilled jobs.
No chance for Chinese-medium tertiary education so large numbers flock to China
for further studies.
 Demonstration against NS boosted strength of Chinese educated students.
 They became more politically conscious and won sympathy of Chinese public who
was against use of violence by police against students.
What was the response of the local people to the Rendel constitution?
- Riots in 1950s were reflection of discontent by locals.
- British decided in 1953 to grant more political power to locals to win hearts and minds of
people.
- In July 1953, commission led by British diplomat Sir George Rendell was formed to
recommend changes.
- Rendel Constitution recommended limited self-government so certain powers were given to
local leaders elected by people.
- READ PAGE 145 GRAPH IN TEXTBOOK!!!!!
- Local leaders – housing , trade and industry , education , health
- British – internal security , external defense , law , external affairs , finance
- Although British gave local people more power in 1955, they still not prepared to give up all
their powers.
- Despite limitations,Rendell Constitution was important to full self-government in SG.
- Flurry of political party in Singapore with prospects of election under new constitution.
- Unlike 1948 , more parties emerged and two parties stood out – Labor front (LF) and
People’s Action Party (PAP)
- Labor front
 Formed in July 1954
 Led by David Marshall, Lim Yew Hock , Francis Thomas
 Members mostly low income and English educated trade union leaders
 Support immediate independence
 Promise to bring about more equality for Singaporeans within civil service
 Called for extension of Singaporean citizenship to China-born inhabitants
 Promoted introduction of multilingualism

5. - PAP
 Established 21 November 1954
 Founded by Lee Kuan Yew , Goh Keng Swee , Toh Chin Chye , S. Rajaratnam , K.M.
Byrne
 Demanded immediate self-independence
 Felt strong political organization was needed to exert pressure on British
 Called for all anti-colonial forces to cooperate in this struggle
 Aimed to win support of workers , trade unions , students in Chinese schools
- 1995 election had 79 candidates for 25 elected seats in legislative assembly.
- Different political parties worked hard to stir up public’s interest in election to win votes
- Efforts made : house-to-house visits , distribute newspaper and pamphlets , organize rallies ,
give speeches
- Keen interest in election as greater degree of self-government promised and greater number
of political parties represented
- Number of eligible voters increase significantly.
- Election campaigns focused mainly on anti-colonialism so many voters were excited by the
speeches.
- Both parties targeted the support of large majority of Chinese speaking people.
- They succeeded by making ordinary people believe that they could put an end to British
colonial rule.
- LF won with 10 out of 25 seats due to strong anti-colonial stand and charismatic leadership
of David Marshall. (First Chief Minister)
- PAP who fielded 4 candidates won 3 seats and Lee Kuan Yew was one of them. Ahmad
Ibrahim who won as independent joined them later on.
- Outcome of election shows that politics in Singapore has changed and British was surprised
as they expect SP to win election. However, people voted for political parties who were
strongly against British rule.
- Majority voters were working class Chinese and they were unhappy with British so they did
not support political parties that were Pro British or conservative.