Introduction

To grant the local people internal self-government, the British made their decision largely on how the Chief Minister dealt with the riots that occurred during their tenure:

1) David Marshall encountered the Hock Lee Bus Riots

2) Lim Yew Hock encountered the 1956 Students’ Riots

Let’s embark on a journey on how these 2 Chief Ministers managed the respective riots and how it affected their negotiation for internal self-governance during the Merdeka Talks.

Video

Let’s watch a video to find out the difference between David Marshall’s government and Lim Yew Hock’s government….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnahLdHQfkg

Workers of Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Co. who were members of Pro-Communist Singapore Bus Workers Union (SBWU) went on strike.

229 workers dismissed.

Strikers blocked company’s gate and threw stones at police

David marshall & the 1955 Hock Lee Bus

Riots

Supporters from Chinese schools came in lorries

David Marshall attempted to settle dispute through a Commission of Inquiry but to no avail

Strike grew. Police called in again and fire hoses were used.

‘Black Thursday’ – strikers threw bricks, stones and bottles at police.

Strike ended on 14 May 1955.

Aftermath of the Hock Lee Bus Riots

o Discredited Marshall government

o Marshall seemed unwilling to arrest and

imprison Communists

o British did not think that Marshall government could protect British interests

First Merdeka Talks 1956

o Marshall led a group of men to London to negotiate for internal self-government

o Said that he would resign as Chief Minister if talks failed

o British not confident that Marshall could

deal with Communist threat

o Talks failed; Marshall stepped down as Chief Minister

Lim Yew hock & THE 1956 STUDENTS’

RIOTS

Lim Yew Hock announced that Singapore Chinese Middle School Students’ Union (SCMSSU) would be closed down because of its Communist activities.

Students camped at Chung Cheng High School and The Chinese High School.

1956 STUDENTS’ RIOTS

Some workers joined the students after attending a workers’ meeting by Lim Chin Siong near the area

Police entered schools and used tear gas. Students forced out of schools and headed for the city to create chaos.

1956 STUDENTS’ RIOTS

Riots continued for 3 days. Government called in army.

Riots came to an end when police arrested almost all the union leaders, including Lim Chin Siong and Fong Swee Suan. 13 people died, more than 100 injured.

(Left) Lim Chin Siong

Aftermath of the 1956 Students’ Riots

o Credited the Lim Yew Hock government

o The British were pleased with Lim Yew Hock’s success in suppressing the strikes and riots

Second Merdeka Talks 1957

o Lim Yew Hock led another group to London to re-negotiate for internal self- government

o wanted to obtain control of internal matters of government

o willing to compromise on internal security

o external affairs and external defence remain with British

o proposals made by Marshall mission in 1956 formed basis for the talk

o November 1958 Constitution drawn up

o Singapore will have internal self- government

o Elections to be held in May 1959

School Closure Simulation

o Access the school’s website Teacher’s Web Mak Wei Yi Rachel

o Read the instructions for 2E5 on the Webpage

o Your are supposed to log in to MCOnline and contribute to the Discussion. You are also supposed to fill in the worksheet to be downloaded on my website.

Workers of Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Co. who were members of Pro-Communist Singapore Bus Workers Union (SBWU) went on strike.

229 workers dismissed.

Strikers blocked company’s gate and threw stones at police

1955 Hock Lee Bus Riots

Supporters from Chinese schools came in lorries

David Marshall attempted to settle dispute but to no avail

Strike grew. Police called in again and fire hoses were used.

‘Black Thursday’ – strikers threw bricks, stones and bottles at police.

Strike ended on 14 May 1955.

Aftermath of the Hock Lee Bus Riots

o Discredited Marshall government

o Marshall seemed unwilling to arrest and

imprison Communists

o British did not think that Marshall government could protect British interests

First Merdeka Talks 1956

o Marshall led a group of men to London to negotiate for internal self-government

o Said that he would resign as Chief Minister if talks failed

o British not confident that Marshall could

deal with Communist threat

o Talks failed; Marshall stepped down as Chief Minister

1956 STUDENTS’ RIOTS

Lim Yew Hock announced that Singapore Chinese Middle School Students’ Union (SCMSSU) would be closed down because of its Communist activities.

Students camped at Chung Cheng High School and The Chinese High School.

1956 STUDENTS’ RIOTS

Some workers joined the students after attending a workers’ meeting by Lim Chin Siong

Police entered schools and used tear gas. Students forced out of schools and headed for the city to create chaos.

1956 STUDENTS’ RIOTS

Riots continued for 3 days. Government called in army.

Riots came to an end when police arrrested almost all the union leaders, including Lim Chin Siong and Fong Swee Suan. 13 people died, more than 100 injured.

Aftermath of the 1956 Students’ Riots

o Credited the Lim Yew Hock government

o The British were pleased with Lim Yew Hock’s success in suppressing the strikes and riots

Second Merdeka Talks 1957

o Lim Yew Hock led another group to London to re-negotiate for internal self- government

o wanted to obtain control of internal matters of government

o willing to compromise on internal security

o external affairs and external defence remain with British

o proposals made by Marshall mission in 1956 formed basis for the talk

o November 1958 Constitution drawn up

o Singapore will have internal self- government

o Elections to be held in May 1959

School Closure Simulation Tasks

o Please log in to MCOnline to discuss the topic now

o Please download “Compare and Contrast Riots” worksheet” and complete it by next Thursday