Chapter 1SingaporeA Nation in the World

1. What does it mean to be a nation?2. What were the challenges Singapore faced as a

newly-independent state?

Chapter at a glance

What is anation

?

A nation is formed when the people think and feelthat they share a common bond.

What is a nation?A group of people accepts one another based on commonlineage, culture and historical experiences.

What is a nation?

May be derived on common experiences.

Singapore’s ChallengesStable

governmentNational Identity

Meeting people’s

need

Maintain Sovereignty

Singapore’s Milestones

1942-1945

• Japanese Occupation

1947

•Year of Strikes

1954-1955

•Communist Terror

1955

• Limited Self-government

1959

• Internal Self-government

1961-1963

•Road to Merger

1963

•Part of Malaysia

1964

•Racial Riots

1965

• Independence

Singapore’s Challengesas a newly-independent state

Natural Constraints1. A small island surrounded by large neighbours

Natural Constraints2. A country easily affected by other countries

Natural Constraints

3. Need to be sensitive to its neighbours

Natural Constraints

4. Lack of natural resources

Natural Constraints5. Dependence on other countries for important

resources

A Short Summary1

A small island surrounded by large

neighbours

2A country easilyaffected by other

countries

3Need to be sensitive to

its neighbours

4Lack of natural

resources

5Dependence on other countries for important

resources such as food and water

Stable GovernmentSingapore needs a government that is stable enough to implement soundpolicies.

Social PoliciesDepend on the government’s ability to give immediate attention to basic needs such as housing, education and healthcare.

Economic Challenge

1960s was a period of widespreadunemployment and poverty in Singapore.

Economic Challenge

It had lost its as the entrepôt as a result of British’s decision to withdraw its naval bases in Singapore.

Sovereignty

The withdrawal of British troops in 1968had left Singapore defenceless.

Sovereignty

This promoted the need for an initiative towards citizenry soldiery.

Social Cohesion & National Identity

People of Singapore were immigrants who had a sense of attachment towards their homeland.

illustrated the tensionbetween differentracial and ethnicgroups.

1964 Racial Riots

Key Learning Points

StateBuild a Nation

Meet people’s needs

Establish a stable government

Maintain Sovereignty

Nation