Singapore faced many challenges as a newly independent state including its small size, lack of natural resources, and dependence on other countries. It needed to establish a stable government, meet the needs of its people through social and economic policies, and maintain its sovereignty despite its lack of military forces after Britain's withdrawal. Forming a cohesive national identity was also difficult due to its diverse immigrant population and racial tensions erupted in 1964.

1. Chapter 1
Singapore
A Nation in the World

2. 1. What does it mean to be a nation?
2. What were the challenges Singapore faced as a
newly-independent state?
Chapter at a glance

3. What is a
nation
?

4. A nation is formed when the people think and feel
that they share a common bond.

5. What is a nation?
A group of people
accepts one another
based on common
lineage, culture and
historical experiences.

6. What is a nation?
May be derived on common experiences.

7. Singapore’s Challenges
Stable
government
National
Identity
Meeting
people’s
need
Maintain
Sovereignty

8. Singapore’s Milestones
1942-1945
• Japanese
Occupation
1947
• Year of
Strikes
1954-1955
• Communist
Terror

9. 1955
• Limited
Self-
government
1959
• Internal
Self-
government
1961-1963
• Road to
Merger

10. 1963
• Part of
Malaysia
1964
• Racial Riots
1965
• Independence

11. Singapore’s Challenges
as a newly-independent state

12. Natural Constraints
1. A small island surrounded by large neighbours

13. Natural Constraints
2. A country easily affected by other countries

14. Natural Constraints
3. Need to be sensitive to its neighbours

15. Natural Constraints
4. Lack of natural resources

16. Natural Constraints
5. Dependence on other countries for important
resources

17. A Short Summary
1
A small island
surrounded by large
neighbours
2
A country easily
affected by other
countries
3
Need to be sensitive to
its neighbours
4
Lack of natural
resources
5
Dependence on other
countries for important
resources such as
food and water

18. Stable Government
Singapore needs a
government that is
stable enough to
implement sound
policies.

19. Social Policies
Depend on the
government’s ability to
give immediate
attention to basic
needs such as housing,
education and
healthcare.

20. Economic Challenge
1960s was a period of
widespread
unemployment and
poverty in Singapore.

21. Economic Challenge
It had lost its as the entrepôt as a result of British’s
decision to withdraw its naval bases in Singapore.

22. Sovereignty
The withdrawal of
British troops in 1968
had left Singapore
defenceless.

23. Sovereignty
This promoted the need for
an initiative towards
citizenry soldiery.

24. Social Cohesion &
National Identity
People of Singapore were immigrants who had a
sense of attachment towards their homeland.

25. illustrated the tension
between different
racial and ethnic
groups.
1964
Racial Riots

26. Key Learning Points
State
Build a
Nation
Meet
people’s
needs

27. Establish a
stable
government
Maintain
Sovereignty
Nation