1. How did the Local People Respond to British Rule after World War II?

2. Objectives: Response of the local people to British rule
Steps taken by the British government to prepare Singapore for limited self- government

3. How did Post- War conditions affect the response of the local people to British rule?
Difficult living conditions, people were jobless, poverty, food/ water shortages. Diseases were common due to the overcrowded living conditions. The difficult living conditions in the post-war period explained why there were waves of strikes and work stoppages
There were waves of strikes and work stoppages was remembered as ‘The Year of Strikes’.
The people felt that the British government was not doing enough to help the locals in overcoming the postwar problems.

4. Strikes became worse with the involvement of the Malayan Communist Party (MCP).
The Communists stirred up the people’s feelings against the British through the trade unions.
In 1947, the British government passed a law requiring all unions to register with the government to control trade unions.
The locals were angry that the British failed to protect Singapore after ruling Singapore for over 100 years.
Though reluctant, the British realized that they have to introduce gradual change.

5. Overcrowded and unhygienic living conditions
in the towns
40/50

6. Road to Self- Government
Concept of
Democracy and Self-Government
Road to Self-
Government
The steps towards self-government :
1948 Elections
The Rendel Commission & Constitution
1955 Elections
4. The Merdeka Talks (1956 & 1957)
Elections
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7. Self-Government & Democracy
Before WW2 and the Japanese Occupation,
Singapore was ruled by the British:
- local people in Singapore could not choose
whom they wanted in the government.
- local people in Singapore could not rule
themselves : no self-government
- The British made all the important
decisions about how Singapore should be
ruled - no democracy
3/33

8. Self-Government & Democracy
- comes from a Greek word meaning
‘power of the people’. The people have the
power to decide who should rule the country.
In present-day Singapore:
- Singapore is governed by its own people.
- the government is formed as a result of
the choice made by Singaporeans
- through elections, Singaporeans vote for the
people they want as their leaders.
4/33

9. The First Step towards Democracy
Singapore’s First Election, 1948.
Those born in S’pore & above 21 could vote
Voting was not compulsory
- only 13, 800 people turned up to vote
Singapore Progressive Party (SPP) won 3/ 6 seats in the Legislative Council

10. Singapore Progressive Party (SPP)
Worked closely with the British to make improvements
Introduced the CPF
Thought that S’pore was not ready to govern itself - believed in introducing gradual changes and was not in a hurry to press the British for more changes.

11. b. Anti- National Service riots
Were the riots in the early 1950s an expression of anti-British feelings?
The social and economic problems caused people to be discontented with British rule
Two major riots:
a. Maria Hertogh riots
b. Anti- National Service riots

12. The Maria Hertogh Riots

13. MARIA HERTOGH RIOTS (1950)
Riots broke out between 11 and 13 Dec 1950 over a 13-year old Eurasian girl named MARIA BERTHA HERTOGH
Born in 1937 to Dutch parents in Java
Parents captured by Japanese during WWII
A Malay woman, CHE AMINAH, and her husband looked after Maria
Brought her up as a Muslim and named her NADRA
Moved from Java to Trengganu in Malaya

14. MARIA HERTOGH RIOTS (1950)
With the defeat of Japan, Maria’s mother, ADELAINE HERTOGH, was released
Finally found Maria in 1949 and wanted to claim her back
Dutch Consul-General requested Maria to be put under the care of the Social Welfare Dept in Singapore
Maria’s case was brought to the legal court in Singapore

15. MARIA HERTOGH RIOTS (1950)
May 1950 : Court ruled that Maria be returned to her natural parents
Che Aminah opposed and sent in an appeal
2 months later, the court returned Maria to Che Aminah

16. MARIA HERTOGH RIOTS (1950)
When Maria was 13 years old and under Che Aminah’s care, she married a Malay teacher
Nov 1950 : Judge did not recognise the marriage
Returned Maria to her Dutch parents who put her in a RC convent
Muslim community was upset; felt that Muslim law was not respected

17. MARIA HERTOGH RIOTS (1950)
Next two months : many newspaper articles on Maria
Stirred up feelings of anger among the Muslims
Che Aminah appealed again in Dec 1950 but was turned down

18. Daughter of
a Malay lady
Daughter of a
Dutch couple

19. Maria and her husband, a 22 year Malay school teacher taking a picture together with Che Aminah

20. MARIA HERTOGH RIOTS (1950)
Many Singapore Muslims felt betrayed by what they saw as the British taking the side of the Dutch
The court order was seen as a direct attack on Islam by a court under Christian control
After the verdict was announced on 11 Dec 1950, a large crowd of mainly Malays outside the Padang starting rioting

21. MARIA HERTOGH RIOTS (1950) Many Europeans were attacked. Why?
Many vehicles burned
A sign of growing unhappiness with British rule in Singapore
Also a sign of British failure of British to be sensitive to the feelings of Muslims
2nd day : Curfew imposed; military police called in
3rd day : Situation under control

22. LESSONS LEARNT
Whole country can be affected by strikes, disorder and riots
People’s lives are upset; business disrupted; economy suffers
Serves as reminder of how easily a society can be torn apart by the unwise handling of sensitive issues
Maria Hertogh Riots show us how important it is to know, learn and appreciate the culture and customs of other races

23. Anti-National Service Riots
Caused by National Service Ordinance :
yr old males had to register by
May 1954 for National Service
- those who failed to do so would be
either jailed or fined.

24. Not popular
Most of the secondary school students were 20 years old or above as their education had been disrupted by war
Not willing to defend the colonial government which ignored the Chinese students’ interests.

25. Anti-National Service Riots
13 May 1954
More than 1000 students gathered to present their petition in front of the Government House
Peaceful demonstrations turned into a riot when the police were called in
Many injured and killed.

26. The Rendel Constitution
Commission led by George Rendel was formed in 1953 to review the constitution
It recommended limited self- government in 1954
An important step- local leaders were given certain powers of government - housing, education, trade
Local chief minister, 6 local ministers & 3 British ministers in the government. Legislative Council was renamed Legislative Assembly.

27. The 1955 Election (PAP) were specially interested in contesting the
The Labour Front (LF) and People’s Action Party
(PAP) were specially interested in contesting the
1955 Elections.
Election campaigns focused on anti- colonialism.

28. Labour Front Leader of LF, David Marshall was a great public speaker.
Was anti-colonial
Promised to fight for Singapore’s independence.
Large majority of the
Chinese-speaking people
supported the LF.

29. People’s Action Party LKY, one of founding members
Demanded immediate independence
Called for all anti-colonial forces to cooperate in anti-colonial struggle

30. 1955 Election
Political parties visited houses, distributed pamphlets, newspapers, organized rallies & gave speeches to win the people’s support
160, 000 voted.

31. 1955 Election Results Labour Front (LF) - 10
Singapore Progressive Party (SPP)
People’s Action Party (PAP)
UMNO-MCA Alliance
Independents
Democratic Party (DP)
David Marshall as the leader of the winning party became Singapore’s First Chief Minister.