Chapter 8Chapter 8

How did Singapore progress to Internal How did Singapore progress to Internal Self-Government (1955 – 1959)?Self-Government (1955 – 1959)?

1955 Election1955 Election

6 political parties stood for election.6 political parties stood for election. Singapore Labour Front under David Singapore Labour Front under David

Marshall won most of the seats.Marshall won most of the seats. David Marshall became the First David Marshall became the First

Chief Minister of Singapore.Chief Minister of Singapore. British were shocked as they British were shocked as they

expected the Singapore Progressive expected the Singapore Progressive Party led by the English educated to Party led by the English educated to win.win.

David Marshall’s GovernmentDavid Marshall’s Government

British wanted him as a British wanted him as a figurehead and did not give him figurehead and did not give him due respect.due respect.

He did not even had a proper He did not even had a proper office space!office space!

David Marshall was unwilling to David Marshall was unwilling to arrest the Communists.arrest the Communists.

The British felt he was unable to The British felt he was unable to protect their interest.protect their interest.

David MarshallDavid Marshall

Leader of Singapore Labour Front set up Leader of Singapore Labour Front set up in 1954.in 1954.

An eloquent and gifted lawyer.An eloquent and gifted lawyer. Verbally criticised British for their unfair Verbally criticised British for their unfair

treatment of Asians.treatment of Asians. He stirred up people’s feelings against the He stirred up people’s feelings against the

British, improved working conditions of the British, improved working conditions of the workers, introduced equal treatment of all workers, introduced equal treatment of all schools and importance of bilingual schools and importance of bilingual education.education.

Demands for Full self-Demands for Full self-governmentgovernment

1956 David Marshall led a group to 1956 David Marshall led a group to London to demand for full self-London to demand for full self-government.government.

He stepped down as Chief Minister as He stepped down as Chief Minister as promised when talks failed.promised when talks failed.

Lim Yew Hock took over as Chief Lim Yew Hock took over as Chief Minister.Minister.

He immediately arrested communist He immediately arrested communist leaders who instigated students who leaders who instigated students who went on strikes.went on strikes.

The British were impressed with him.The British were impressed with him. 1957 Singapore was granted full self 1957 Singapore was granted full self

government when Lim Yew Hock led a government when Lim Yew Hock led a delegation to London.delegation to London.

Full Self-Government 1959Full Self-Government 1959

British would control police, armed British would control police, armed forces and international relations.forces and international relations.

Legislative Assembly had 51 Legislative Assembly had 51 elected members and all Ministers elected members and all Ministers were local representatives.were local representatives.

State of Singapore has own flag State of Singapore has own flag and national anthem and a head and national anthem and a head of state known as Yang di-Pertuan of state known as Yang di-Pertuan Negara.Negara.

First democratic election 1959First democratic election 1959

PAP won 43 out of 51 seats. PAP won 43 out of 51 seats. Lee Kuan Yew became the Lee Kuan Yew became the first Prime Minister.first Prime Minister.

Yusoff Bin Ishak was the first Yusoff Bin Ishak was the first President of Singapore. President of Singapore.

However Singapore was not However Singapore was not fully independent from British fully independent from British rule.rule.

Lee Kuan YewLee Kuan Yew

Leader of PAPLeader of PAP Great speaker who was able to Great speaker who was able to

simplify difficult ideas so people simplify difficult ideas so people could understand.could understand.

Became Prime Minister when he Became Prime Minister when he was 36 years old and held that was 36 years old and held that position for 30 years.position for 30 years.

National SymbolsNational Symbols

State CrestState Crest National AnthemNational Anthem National flagNational flag

Red for Red for universal universal brotherhood & Equalitybrotherhood & Equality White for purity & virtueWhite for purity & virtue 5 stars represent democracy, peace, 5 stars represent democracy, peace,

progress, justice & equality.progress, justice & equality. Crescent for a rising young nation.Crescent for a rising young nation.