Challenges Faced by Newly Independent Singapore

1. Chapter 1: Singapore – A Nation in The World

2. What will you be learning today? • What does it mean to be a nation? • What were the challenges Singapore faced as a newly independent state?

3. ‘Country’, ‘State’, ‘Nation’ What does the term ‘country’ refer to?

4. ‘Country’, ‘State’, ‘Nation’ What does the term ‘country’ refer to? • An area of land that is ruled by a government • Geographical location of a group of people.

5. What does the term ‘state’ refer to?

6. ‘Country’, ‘State’, ‘Nation’ What does the term ‘state’ refer to? • The system of government within an area of land • This system of government develops and enforces laws to organise the country and citizens • Regulated by the Constitution (a separate set of laws) which ensures the stability of the government even when there is a change in the political party ruling the country

7. What does the term ‘nation’ refer to?

8. ‘Country’, ‘State’, ‘Nation’ What does the term ‘nation’ refer to? • Formed when a group of people accepted one and another and share a common bond like common lineage, culture or historical experiences

9. Thinking Time! Can you think of how Singaporeans of different races form a bond with one and another?

10. Let’s imagine … You have just being elected PRESIDENT of a newly independent state, how do you think you should handle following issues? • What kind of government should you have? WHY? • In what ways can you take care of your citizens? WHY? • How should you handle your state’s relationships with other countries? WHY? • What else can you do to improve the society? WHY?

11. Challenges a state faces… • Establishing a stable government • Building a nation (national identity & social cohesion) • Maintaining sovereignty (deterrence & diplomacy) • Meeting people’s needs (social needs & economic needs)

12. Challenges that Singapore faces as an independent state… • Small island surrounded by larger neighbors and therefore easily affected by the events in the neighbouring countries • Lack of natural resources and therefore dependent on other countries for important resources

13. How should Singapore overcome these constraints • Needs to be resourceful in building on its strengths and overcoming its limitations • Has to be adaptable to the changes in Southeast Asia and the world

14. Singapore’s Road to Independence

15. 1942-1945: The Awakening • Surrender of the British • Start of Japanese Occupation • Development of nationalistic feelings

16. 1947: Year of Strikes • Shortages in employment & housing • S’poreans dissatisfied with the British • Communist activities 1954 – 1955: Communist Terror • Communists wanted to gain power • Organised strikes & riots to force government to give in to their demands

17. 1955: Limited Self-Government • Granted limited self-government but not independence as British not confident of Singapore’s ability to govern herself due to the following reasons: • Singapore did not have large-scale industries or agriculture to support the population • The British feared that the Communists would come to rule Singapore • British wanted to use Singapore as a military base and commercial centre in SA

18. 1959 – 1963: Becoming a state & Towards Merger • 1959: PAP won the election • Merger with Malaysia to form the Federation of Malaysia in order to obtain independence Unity of all races Purity & Integrity Action

19. 1963: Opposition to Merger • Indonesia and the Philippines objected to the merger • Unhappiness over inclusion of Sabah, Sarawak & Brunei • Indonesian Confrontation • Philippines broke off diplomatic relations with Malaysia

20. 1964: Race Riots • Conflict between the government of Malaysia and Singapore • Communal VS non-communal politics • Race riots sparked off by some extreme members of the Federal government

21. 1965: Independence • Social unrest & disagreement over economic matters lead to separation

22. Challenges that Singapore faces as a newly independent state • Stable government and social needs • Economic challenge • Sovereignty • Social cohesion and National identity

23. Stable government & social needs

24. Basic needs of Singaporeans(E.g. education, healthcare) Support of Singaporeans Stable government

25. Economic Challenges • Widespread unemployment and poverty in the 1960s • Need to create enough jobs for people • Need to plan for economic development so Singapore could continue to grow

26. Sovereignty • Singapore had to rely entirely on the small population to defend itself • Gain recognition from other states • Build good relations and establish friendships with others

27. Social Cohesion & National Identity • Tension between different ethnic groups after the Indonesian Confrontation and race riots • Immigrants who were still loyal to their homeland • Thus there was a need to create a bond among people and develop a national identity • Instill confidence and belief in people that Singapore could survive as a nation

28. What does it mean to be a nation? • What are some of the challenges that a state may face? • What are Singapore’s natural constraints? • What were some of the challenges faced by Singapore as a newly-independent state?