(5) Singapore: Decolonisation Singapore: Decolonisation
Teachers’ Referenc
Enquiry To what extent is the Singaporean experience of decolonization different from
question those of other Southeast Asian countries?
Content Closely related to the History curriculum (S4-6)
Learning Knowledge: Geographical location of Singapore
Objectives The Singaporean path of decolonization
The experiences of decolonization of other Southeast
Asian countries
Major modes of independence
Skills: Using SWOT to make analysis
Using comparison to make analysis
Attitude: Understanding history with an analytical mind
Teaching flow:
Teachers may select or modify the activities in this teaching plan so as to suit the learning
needs of their students.
Items Format Learning Objectives Content
A Introduction Map study To arouse interest Geographical
To activate prior knowledge location of
Singapore
B Activity 1 Arranging to develop a time sense of the Major events of the
chronological Singaporean path of process of
order of events independence independence of
Watching Singapore
documentary
Matching
C Activity 2 SWOT analysis To find out the strengths, Major events of the
weaknesses, opportunities process of
and threats of the independence of
independence Singapore
D Activity 3 Compare To find out similarities and Major events of the
independence differences among the process of
movements in independence movements in independence of
S.E. Asia S.E. Asia S.E. Asian countries
E Activity 4 Writing To develop summary thinking All learning and
summary and writing skills teaching materials
in this plan
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Singapore: Decolonisation
Overview
Decolonisation of
Singapore
Comparison:
Patterns of the
SWOT of the independence
independence
independence
movement movements in S.E.
Asia
Do you ‘Decolonisation’ refers to the process in which a colonial power withdraws from its
know? colonies and transfers political power back to the native people.
A. Introduction
Step 1 Using the textbook or an atlas, teacher direct students to study the geography of
Singapore.
Teacher may change the ‘Note’ below to a simple exercise of filling in the blanks.
Suggested target words are underlined. (Total marks: 15)
Note Geography of Singapore
Singapore is a small, heavily urbanised, island city-state in Southeast Asia.
It is located at the southern tip of the Malayan Peninsula between Malaysia and
Indonesia.
It is separated from Indonesia by the Singapore Strait and from Malaysia by the
Straits of Johor.
It has reclaimed land with earth obtained from its own hills, the seabed, and
neighbouring countries.
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Singapore: Decolonisation
It has a total land area of 710km².
Its climate is characterized by uniform temperature and pressure, high humidity and
abundant rainfall.
It lacks natural freshwater rivers and lakes; the primary source of domestic water is
rainfall. Demand for fresh water is greater than that supplied by rainfall, so it
imports much of its fresh water from Malaysia and Indonesia. To lessen its reliance
on imports, it built reservoirs and recycled water. In addition, Singapore developed
desalination plants.
Natural resources of the country are fish and deepwater ports.
Step 2 Teacher gives an overview of the history of Singapore:
The modern history of Singapore began in 1819 when Englishman Sir Thomas
Stamford Raffles established a British port on the island.
Under British colonial rule, it grew in importance as a centre for both the
India-China trade and the entrepôt trade in Southeast Asia.
During World War II, Singapore was conquered and occupied by the Japanese
Empire from 1942 to 1945.
When the war ended, Singapore was reverted to British control, with increasing
levels of self-government being granted.
1963, Singapore joined its neighbours to become part of Malaysia. But the efforts
soon failed.
Singapore became an independent republic in 1965.
Singapore has unique experiences on the path to independence.
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Singapore: Decolonisation
B. Activity 1: The Singaporean path of independence
Step 1 Teacher asks students to skim and scan this page, and then ask them to put an ‘X’ into
the box (answer: Box G) showing the event which did not take place in the 20th
century. In this way, students may have some impression of the names of those events.
Figure 1
Singapore and Britain
Referendum was held in
reached the complete
Singapore to decide
self-government
whether to join the
agreement.
Federation of Malaya.
B
A
( Year: 1962 ) ( Year: 1958 )
Singapore separated Lee Kwan Yew became
from the Federation of the first Prime Minister
Malaysia. of Singapore.
C D
( Year: 1965 ) ( Year: 1959 )
Racial Riots: Singapore was Singapore became an
23 people occupied by the important commercial
died and 400 Japanese. and financial centre of
injured. the British Empire.
F
G
E
( Year: 1964 ) ( Year: 1942 ) ( Year: 1890 )
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Singapore: Decolonisation
Step 2 Watch the documentary
Watch a documentary about the modernisation and transformation of Singapore in
the 20th century. While students are watching the documentary, they should be
asked to pay greater attention to parts related to her experiences of independence,
and jot down the year of occurrence of events (A) – (F) which are given in Figure 1.
Step 3 Group work:
Arrange the chronological sequence of the events stated in Figure 1. During the
discussion, students may complete the table in Figure 2.
Figure 2
Complete the table with (I) year of occurrence, and (ii) letters representing historical events.
Sequence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Year 1819 1890 1942 1958 1959 1962 1964 1965 1965
Events British G F B D A E C Singapore
officer became an
Stanford independent
Raffles state
landed in
Singapore
Note The aim of the exercise above is to develop sequential sense rather than the
memorisation of years.
It is not an easy task. To encourage students, teachers are advised to give positive
feedback to each correct answer.
To make the task easier, teachers may show students the relevant parts of the video
again
Ch1 Seizing opportunities (00:30-00:47; 04:05-04:32)
Ch3 Japanese occupation (05:55-06:05)
Ch3 Lack of natural resources, Singapore was separated from Malaya
(07:45-08:15)
Ch4 Relatively stable, adaptable, spot the opportunities and take advantage
(11:25-12:20, 16:32-17:21)
Ch 5 “Some foreigners say it’s a miracle, but miracles are made by man.”
(19:46)
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Singapore: Decolonisation
C. Activity 2: SWOT Analysis – thinking skills training
Find out the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and treats that Singapore experienced before its
independence.
Note It is a difficult task, and requires teacher’s guidance.
The aim of this task is to encourage students to think in-depth and critically.
Teachers are suggested to accept all possible and reasonable answers.
Step 1 Group discussion:
What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that Singapore
experienced before its independence?
Step 2 Fill in the table with ideas developed from the discussion.
Singapore: the road to achieve Independence
Strengths Weaknesses
Stability under British rule Lack of natural resources
Being small– can be controlled easily* Being small– can be controlled easily*
Locating between Malacca and South Various cultures merging in one place
China sea, with economic and
strategic value
Rise of capable leaders
Opportunities Threats
United with Malaya Separated from Malaysia
Decolonization in S.E Asian countries The effects of Japanese occupation*
became a trend
The fear of communism*
The decline of European powers
The effects of Japanese occupation*
The fear of communism*
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Singapore: Decolonisation
Note Teachers may focus on the reasons why strengths overcome weaknesses and why
opportunities minimize threats.
If students have disagreement over one answer, it is a good chance for them to learn:
(i) to make judgment with logical, sound reasons;
(ii) that our own values, position affect our judgment; and
(iii) that a fact may give both positive and negative effects. Teacher may take
‘Singapore being small’ as an example.
Can be a strength
Small Because it is easy to be controlled
geographically, socially, politically
and economically
Small Can be a weakness
Because there are less resources
than other bigger countries
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Singapore: Decolonisation
D. Activity 3: Compare the independence movements in Southeast Asia
Step 1 Study the timelines of the political histories of Singapore and those of Malaya, the
Philippines, Indonesia, Burma and Indochina in Figure 3.
Figure 3
Timeline A Timeline B
Independence of Malaya Independence of the
Philippines
1 Malaya became a British 1 Spain transferred her control
8 protectorate as a result of 8 of the Philippines to the
2 an Anglo-Dutch agreement 9 United States
Before WWI 6 6
(early 19th 1 Japan occupied Malaya 1 The commonwealth status of
century -1914)
9 9 the Philippines was given by
3 3 the USA to prepare the
9 5 colony for independence in
Paris Peace
Conference 1946
(1919);
Wilson’s 14
points (Self- 1 Britain restored the 1 The Philippines was
Determination) 9 colonial government 9 occupied by Japan
4 4
2 2
Japanese
1 Britain carried out 1 Independence was granted
Occupation
(1939-42)
9 administrative reforms and 9 by the USA.
5 held democratic elections 4
1 to prepare the Malays for 6
self-government
Post WWII
1 Britain granted Malaya
Decolonisation
9 independence
5
Independence 7
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Singapore: Decolonisation
Timeline C Timeline D Timeline E
Independence of Indonesia Independence of Independence of Indochina
Burma
Early Indonesia formally 1885 Burma became Late The region went
19th became a Dutch a British 19th under French
century colony. colony. century control.
1920s The Indonesians 1935 Britain granted 1930 An armed uprising
fought for Burma broke out in
independence. autonomy. Vietnam. It was
They were suppressed by the
suppressed by the French.
Dutch.
1942 Japan occupied 1942 Japan occupied 1940 Japan occupied
Indonesia. Burma. Indochina.
1945 Indonesia declared 1947 When Britain 1945 Both Vietnam and
independence, but granted India Laos declared
the Dutch refused. independence, independence.
The Indonesian War Burma also France rejected.
of Independence asked for Armed struggles
started. independence. started.
1949 The United Nations 1948 Burma 1953 Laos and
intervened. achieved full Cambodia declared
Indonesia became independence. independence.
independent.
1954 France recognized
the independence
of Vietnam.
Do you The former French Indochina included Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
know?
A protectorate is an autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or
militarily against third parties by a stronger foreign state. In exchange for
this, the protectorate usually accepts specified demands of privileges.
However, it retains sufficient measure of sovereignty and remains a state under
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Singapore: Decolonisation
international law. However, in the 19th century, many colonized territories
were referred as "colonial protectorates". They were not regarded as
separate states under international law.
Step 2 Identify the differences and similarities among cases given above and complete the
table in Figure 4.
Figure 4
What are the similarities and differences among those independence
movements in S.E Asia?
South East Asian Countries
Similarities They were all colonies of western countries.
They were all occupied by Japan in the Second World War.
They gained independence after the War.
Differences They achieved their independence in different ways
Some got their independence through the assistance of
colonial ruler, some through violent revolts and armed
struggles. Singapore became independence through
peaceful means.
Step 3 Identify the patterns of independence movements
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Singapore: Decolonisation
What are the major patterns of independence movements among the S.E Asian
countries listed below?
Match the name of the S.E Asian countries with the patterns of independence.
Singapore
Being forced to become
independent
Malaya
Philippines
Through armed struggles
Indonesia
Burma
Granted independence by
colonial power
Indochina
Suggested answer:
Singapore
Being forced to become
independent
Malaya
Philippines
Through armed struggles
Indonesia
Burma
Granted independence by
colonial power
Indochina
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Singapore: Decolonisation
E. Activity 4: Conclusion
Draw a brief conclusion about the independence movements in Southeast Asia.
Write a summary of the comparison you have made in 30-50 words.
___________________________________________________________________________
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Suggested Most of the S.E. Asian countries were colonies of the Western powers
answer before the Second World War. After WWII, they achieved their
independence in different ways. Burma, the Philippines and Malaya
got their independence through the support of their former colonial
rulers. Indonesia and Indochina went through violent armed
struggles. Although Singapore wanted to be united with Malaysia, it
became independent through a peaceful path.
Any other sensible answer.
Level L1 Able to give similarities or differences.
marking L2 Able to give both similarities and differences.
L3 Able to give both similarities and differences, and highlight that Singapore
preferred union with Malaysia and experienced a relatively peaceful path to
independence.
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Singapore: Decolonisation
Reference
Singapore timeline
http://app.www.sg/data/edm/timeline/index.html
Singapore and other S.E Asian countries timeline
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1148137.stm
SWOT Template
www.businessballs.com/swotanalysisfreetemplate.htm
Connection between SWOT components
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/evaluation/methodology/tools/too_swo_res_en.htm
End
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