Social Changes Essay

1947 - Leo Wang

Social Changes - Riots

1947 was “The Year of Strikes” as more than 300 strikes and work stoppages by thousands of workers from various companies had took place and the first incident happened on 22 January, where two-thirds of the workers from the Municipal Labour force had struck work. These riots took place because people were unsatisfied with the British rule as conditions were extremely harsh in Singapore after the Japanese Occupation although there was peace. Many problems were faced as the results of the war after the British had returned such as overcrowded living conditions, shortages of food, electricity and water, disruption of telecommunication services, unemployment, lack of housing, poor sanitation, lack of health

They felt that since the British had ruled Singapore for 100 years and yet failed to protect it, they should govern themselves. In addition, India, the largest British colony, had gained full independence in 1947. The influence of such external events had also increased the local people’s desire to run the country by themselves.

The British didn’t want to give up complete control over Singapore but slowly, they had started to give the local people some power. In July 1947, the British had re-established the laws and elections were introduced for the first time. They allowed some locals to be elected in the Legislative Council and the poll was scheduled in the following year. This was an important feature of democracy and movement towards independence as more Singaporeans could be elected as members of Legislative Council.

On 25 August 1947, the first political party in Singapore, which is the Singapore Progressive Party, was formed by three London University educated lawyers: Tan Chye Cheng (C.C.Tan), John Laycock and N.A.Mallal. This party believed in gradual self-government, consisted of English-speaking upper-class professionals and took part in the election in the following