History Under the Sun

Good Luck!

2006-10-04T15:35:00.000+08:00

Good luck & study hard!

Please go through my study guide and the revision worksheets thoroughly. As my home PC is down, don't bother to send mails to my hotmail. Come look for me in the morning after 6.50am if you have any questions.

Revision Worksheet Chapt 14

2006-10-04T15:14:00.000+08:00

Chapter 14: Building Up Our Defence Force

What I should learn:
1. Why is that a need to build up a defence force?
2. Why build a Citizen’s Army?
3. What challenges did it face and how did the government overcome them?
4. How did the government overcome the problem of British withdrawing their armed forces from Singapore?
5. How did National Service help in nation-building?

Q1: Why is that a need to build up a defence force?

A: Vulnerabilities
· Singapore’s strategic location makes it an attractive target for external enemies.
· Singapore’s lack of natural resources makes it difficult for it to sustain its economy.
· Singapore is dependent on other countries for its economical survival.

B: Security Issues
· Political situation in Southeast Asia was chaotic.
E.g. Indonesian Confrontation and Vietnam war.
· As an independent nation in 1965 (year), Singapore needed to defend itself and not depend on the British for protection.

Q2: Why build a Citizen’s Army?
· As Singapore faced constraints such as small manpower pool and limited funds, creating a Citizen’s Army would enable Singapore to have a force large enough to defend the country without incurring higher costs. (Why?)

· Formation of a Citizen’s Army through compulsory National Service also contributes to nation-building.

Q3: What challenges did it face and how did the government overcome them?

Challenge 1: Singapore had little military experience and it had to build up its defence force from scratch.
Solution: Engaged foreign military experts to teach our military leaders. Train military officers who would in turn train the first batch of NSmen.

Challenge 2: Singapore needed to convince Singaporeans into accepting/ supporting National Service.
Solution: Members of Parliament explain to the people the importance of defending Singapore and the need for National Service.
- Gain support for National Service by:
- Get-togethers and variety shows at CCs
- Television and radio broadcasts
- Pamphlet distribution
- Members of Parliament, senior civil servants and community leaders volunteered for nation-building military service.

Q4: How did the government overcome the problem of British withdrawing their armed forces from Singapore?

A: Reason for British Withdrawal
· Britain was facing economic problems and the decision was made to cut down on military spending in the East.

B: Economic Problems for Singapore
· It would create unemployment for thousands of people who worked on the British bases and for those who worked for jobs that support the military.

C: Military Problems for Singapore
· Singapore had only 3 years to build up an effective defence force (land, sea and air) from 1968.

D: Steps to Overcome the Problem
· Lee Kuan Yew flew to London to negotiate the matter with the British leaders and the final withdrawal of the British armed force was postponed from March to December of 1971.
· The British agreed to leave the radar defence system in Singapore and to train Singaporeans to man the system.
· To ensure its security, Singapore secured an agreement with Britain, Australia and New Zealand to station some of their forces in Singapore. Singapore also signed the Five-Power Defence Arrangements with Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia. This is to ensure that the five countries would consult one another should there be a threat from other countries.
· Singapore took steps to set up the Navy and Air Force. To solve problems such as the lack of training facilities and experiences, Singapore conducted the training overseas and sought the help of foreign military advisors.

Q5: How did National Service help in nation-building?
· National helped to forge a common bond among Singaporeans and made them feel committed to defending the country. (E.g. SAF troops were called in to maintain peace and order when riots broke out in some areas of Singapore in May 1969.)
· NS was compulsory for men of all races. Having a multi-racial armed force meant that the races had to interact with each other. This contributed to racial harmony.
· NS developed a sense of responsibility among Singaporeans by involving NSmen in community service.
· NS helped to build a rugged society and a responsible workforce through discipline and endurance.

Revision Worksheet Chapt 13

2006-10-04T14:52:00.000+08:00

Chapter 13: Housing the People

What you should have learnt:
1. Why was there a housing shortage in Singapore?
2. When was the HDB set up and what were its initial problems?
3. How did the HDB solve the housing shortage problems?
4. How has the housing programme of the HDB contributed to nation-building?

Q1: Why was there a housing shortage in Singapore?

A: Before the war
· The population of Singapore increased at the beginning of the 20th century. This meant that the British government had to provide more housing for the people.
· The British colonial government set up the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) on 1927 to build more houses and improve housing conditions.
· However the SIT did not achieve its aim. Between 1947 and 1959, only 21 000 housing units were built.

B: During the war
· Many homes were destroyed during the Japanese invasion.
· The Japanese also neglected housing for the people during their occupation of Singapore.

C: After the war
· Singapore's population increased rapidly. The SIT still could not build enough homes for the people.

Q2: When was the HDB set up and what were its initial problems?

A: From SIT to HDB (Housing Development Board)
· In the 1959 (year) election, the PAP promised to provide low-cost housing if it was elected as the new government.
· When PAP won the elections, it dissolved the SIT and set up the HDB in Feb 1960 (year).

B: Problems faced
· There was not enough land to build houses.
· The HDB had to keep the cost of construction low so as to make housing affordable to the lower-income group.
· It had to clear slums and squatters and resettle the people.
· Many people were not keen to move out. The HDB managed to overcome this problem through persuasion and compensating the people with money.
· The HDB had to deal with an urgent crisis caused by a fire at Bukit Ho Swee in 1961. It had to find homes for the fire victims.

Q3: How did the HDB solve the housing shortage problems?

A: Plans and Targets
· The HDB aimed to build affordable low-cost housing for the lower-income group.
· The HDB conducted a survey to find out the housing needs of these people.
· It was estimated that about 11 000 homes had to be completed each year for the next 10 years in order to provide every family in need of public housing.
· A First Five-Year Building Programme was implemented (1960 (year)-1965 (year)) to build 51 000 low-cost housing units for the lower-income group.

B: Achievements
· The HDB achieved its target.
· In 1965 (year), it completed over 53,000 housing units which were more than what it had planned for the First-Five Year Plan.

B: Reasons for Success
· They received strong support from the government which allocated large amounts of funds to public housing.
· It had more legal powers, for instance, it had the power to resettle people from slums/squatters to housing units.
· Its Board member were committed and hardworking.

Q4: How has the housing programme contributed to nation-building?

A: Ownership and Belonging
· The Home Ownership Scheme allow people to buy flats at prices subsidised by the government and this gives them a sense of ownership.
· Owning property gives people a stake in the country and this makes people more likely to defend their country.

B: Multi-Racial Society
· Living in HDB housing estates has brought people of different races together.
· As they shared the same common facilities in the housing estates, it gives them opportunities to interact with each other and helped to forge a bond among the different races.
· This has encouraged racial tolerance and harmony among the people.

C: Community Living
· Community Clubs and Resident Committees are build in the housing estates.
· These clubs organized activities for the people. This has help to bring the people of different races together.
· Such activities encourage racial harmony/ tolerance and social cohesion.

Revision Worksheet Chapt 10

2006-10-04T14:37:00.000+08:00

Chapter 10: Joining Malaysia

What you should have learnt:
1. Why did Singapore want to merge with Malaya?
2. Why did Malaya want to merge with Singapore?
3. What were the reactions in Singapore (within PAP) towards?
4. What were the reactions in Singapore (the people) towards merger?
5. What were the reactions of Sabah, Sarawak, Philippines and Indonesia towards the merger?

Q1: Why did Singapore want to merge with Malaya?

1. Independence
· Singapore Government hoped that through merger, Singapore could become completely freed from British control.
· The British feared that the communists would take over Singapore.
· If Singapore was to merge with a strong anti-communist like Malaya, British would give Singapore independence.

2. Common Market (more trade →growth of industries→more jobs)
· Singapore’s market was too small for its industries.
· Import and export tariffs by the Malayan government were quite high for Singapore.
· Tariffs are taxes collected by a government on goods coming into or out of a country.
· Singapore hoped to merge with Malaya to set up a common market so goods could be bought and sold freely without being taxed.
· With the increase in trade, industries in Singapore would expand and more jobs would be created for the people.

Q2: Why did Malaya want to merge with Singapore?

A: Initial Fears of Malayan Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman

1. Chinese Population in Singapore
· Regarded Singapore as a Chinese colony due to the large Chinese population in Singapore.
· Merger would result in the Chinese population outnumbering the _______________ population.

2. Communists in Singapore
· Worried about the strong communists influence in Singapore as Malaya was strongly anti-communist.
· Believed that some Chinese were still loyal to China.

B: Reasons for merger later
· Worried about the communists growing more powerful in Singapore and that PAP could not deal with them.
· Feared that the communists would use Singapore as a base to spread communism to Malaya.
· So to prevent communism from spreading to Malaya and the Chinese population from out-numbering the Malay population, Tunku mentioned the idea of Federation of Malaysia later which would comprise of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.

Q3: What were the reactions in Singapore (within PAP) towards merger?

A: Pro-Merger Group
· LKY and most of the PAP leaders welcomed/ supported the idea of merger as Malaya’s hinterland would provide raw materials for Singapore’s industries and market for goods manufactured in Singapore.
· Merger would let Singapore gain independence and economic growth.

B: Anti-Merger Group
· Within PAP, there were people who were pro-communist.
· They were against merger as Malaya was anti-communist and Malaya would come down hard on the communist activities in Singapore.
· The pro-communist group in PAP tried to influence trade unions and PAP branches to oppose merger.
· However they were successful and leaders of pro-communist group were expelled from PAP.
· They formed a new political party called the Barisan Sosialis.

Q4: What were the reactions in Singapore (the people) towards merger?
· Barisan Sosialis was not in favour of the government’s plan to join Malaysia and it started a campaign calling on the people not to support the government’s plan.
· The government conducted a referendum to find out what the population wanted and the majority of the population voted in favor of joining Malaysia.

Q5: What were the reactions of Sabah, Sarawak, Philippines and Indonesia towards the merger?

A: Reaction of Philippines
· Philippines was against the formation of Malaysia as it claimed Sabah as part of its territory.

B: Reaction of Indonesia
· Indonesia was against the formation of Malaysia as it claimed Sabah and Sarawak as parts of its territory.
· Indonesia believed that the merger was an attempt of the British to maintain its power in Southeast Asia.
· Indonesia launched an anti-merger campaign known as the Indonesian Confrontation which turned violent later.

To solve the problem, Tunku met Presidents of both Indonesia and Philippines and both agreed to allow a United Nations team to survey the wishes of the people in Sabah and Sarawak. The UN team reported that the people were in favour of merger and Malaysia.

Revision Worksheet Chapt 5

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Chapter 5: World War II and the Fall of Singapore

What you should have learnt:
1. How was WWII started in Europe?
2. Why Japan went to war?
3. Why Singapore was thought to be impossible to be invaded by an enemy?
4. Why were the British defeated by the Japanese?

Q1: How was WWII started in Europe?

A: Germany after WWII
· WWI ended when Germany signed the treaty of Versailles in June 1919.
· From the treaty, Germany had to pay a large sum of money to the Allies and she had to give up some of her territories.

· Impact: Germany became a weaker and poorer country. Germans were angry as they felt humilated and their national pride was hurt.

B: The Great Depression
· Worsened the economic situation in Germany.
· People lost faith/ trust in the government's ability to rule the country.
· Germans turned to Adolf Hitler for leadership.

C: The Rise of Adolf Hitler
· Promised to make Germany rich and powerful again.
· Set up the Nazis party.
· Strengthened German army and conquered other European country.
· Allied with Italy and together became known as the Axis Powers.

Q2: Why Japan went to war?

· Japan shared Germany's ambition of conquering more territories for itself and Japan wanted to become the master of Asia and Pacific Region.
· When Japan was invading China, other countries had stopped selling them items like airplanes and oil products in Japan. As Southeast Asia was rich in tin, oil, timber and rubber, Japan wanted to conquer it to obtain raw materials to build it economy and war machinery.

Q3: Why Singapore was thought to be impossible to be invaded by an enemy?

Singapore used to be referred to as an "Impregnable Fortress” because

A: Military Preparations of the British
· The British had built a naval base in Singapore and it was situated in the North facing the Johor Strait.
· Military Airfields were built in Tengah and Sembawang.
· Gun positions were set up in certain places to defend Singapore.
· Underground bunkers were built in several places in Singapore such as Fort Canning, Labrador and Sembawang.

B: Natural Protection
· British also believed that the jungles of Malaya formed a natural barrier because they thought that enemy soldiers would find it difficult to move through the jungles.

Q4: Why were the British defeated by the Japanese?

1. Priority
The Japanese had clear goals to
a) obtain raw materials in Southeast Asia.
b) to be the master of Asia and the Pacific region
BUT
a) The British were fighting a war in Europe so they could not send warplanes and battleships to fight against the Japanese.
b) Considered Europe more important.

2. Equipment
The Japanese had good military equipment.
a) Had modern air force and war fleet.
b) Had modern fighter planes called "Zero" fighter planes.
c) Use 300 tanks for jungle warfare.
BUT
The British
a) did not have a large fleet of warships
b) planes were old and outdated
c) did not use tanks as they mistakenly believed that tanks were not suitable for jungle warfare.

3. Troops
The Japanese troops were militarily superior as they were
a) trained in jungle warfare
b) loyal and committed to their Emperor and country
BUT
British troops were
a) not trained in jungle warfare
b) disorganized and lacking in morale

4. Leadership
The Japanese had General Yamashita as their leader. He was skiful and was able to lead his troops efficiently.
BUT
The British had General Percival as their leader. He was indecisive and not forceful.

Weakness of the Japanese????
Japanese soldiers were numerically weak and there was a lack of supplies on the Japanese side.

Answers to Workbook B: Chapt 14 (SBQ)

2006-10-04T13:48:00.000+08:00

Chapt 14: Building up Our Defence Force
Workbook B (Pg 58-61)

a) What does Source A tell you about the defence situation in Singapore in the 1960s? Explain your answer.

Skill: Inference

S : See
E: Evidence
E: Explain

Ans:
Level 1 - The government implemented National Service in the 1960s.

Full marks –
The government faced challenges in implementing National Service in 1960s as the people were not supportive of National Service as extracted from Source A, “but soldiering did not come naturally to Singaporeans” and “our people has to be persuaded”.

However the government overcame this challenge with the help of the community and the National Service was implemented successfully as extracted from Source A, “enlisted the support of chambers of commerce…grassroots organizations”, “their efforts paid off” and “when the National Service Ordinance Service was passed…few pockets of demonstration”.

Note: Do not summarize the source or lift directly from the source. For example do not write things like: The government settled for National Service which would develop national consciousness and foster social cohesion.

b) Is the author a supporter of National Service?

Skill: Inference

Ans:
Full marks –
The author was not supportive of National Service at first as he thought that it did not serve much purpose as extracted from Source B, “waste of time” and “didn’t learn many things”.

However he became a supporter of National Service after he understood the importance of it as extracted from Source B, “changed our thinking after in-camp Training”, “our feelings changed” and “feel that it’s our duty to defend and protect our country”.

(c) In what ways are the two sources different? Explain your answer.

Skill: Comparison

Give at least 2 differences supported with evidence from the source

Ans:
Level 1 – Source A is an account of PM Goh while Source B is an account of Mak Wah Weng..

Full marks –
Source A and Source B are different in telling me the reasons of people being unsupportive of National Service. Source A tells me that people were doubtful of it as extracted from Source A, “every Chinese parent believed that good sons do not become soldiers” and “many doubted whether urban teenagers could become tough soldiers”. However Source B tells me that people did not think that National Service was useful as extracted from Source B, “waste of time” and “didn’t learn many things”.

Also Source B tells me how the attitude of people changed after National Service but Source A did not tell me that as extracted from Source B, “our feelings changed” and “now feel that it’s our duty to defend and protect Singapore”.

(d) How useful is this source as evidence of the people’s initial reaction towards National Service in the 1960s? Explain your answer.

Skill: Usefulness

1. State what you understand from the source about the people’s initial reaction towards National Service and explain why.
2. Reliability check with other sources/ contextual knowledge.
3. Explain why the source is not useful.
4. Conclusion

Ans:

Full marks –
From Source C, I understand that there was resistance against National service and many students were unsupportive of it as I can see a lot of students participating in the demonstration.

Source A supports Source C as it tells me that there were protests from the people as extracted from Source A, “there were only a few pockets of demonstration”. As Source C is reliable, it enhances the usefulness of Source C and therefore Source C is useful.

However Source C is not useful in telling me why the students protest against National Service and what happened during the demonstration.

Therefore Source C is only useful to a certain extent.

Answers to Workbook B: Chapt 14 (Structured Essay)

2006-10-02T16:16:00.000+08:00

Dear All

One of your classmates had asked me to post a sample essay answer for Chapter 13 but I feel that Chapter 14 would be more useful. Please read through and feel free to look for me if you have any questions.

Chapt 14: Building Up Our Defence Force
Workbook B (Pg 62-64)

a) What was the Citizen’s Army?

Listing an answer
The Citizen’s Army was the defence force of full-time National Servicemen, the reservists and regular soldiers.
Explanation
It was meant to enable Singapore to have a fighting force large enough to defend the country without incurring costs. Each year, thousands of young men would be trained through NS and would join as reservists after training. As a result, the pool of men with military skills would widen over the years. The Citizen’s Army was also a way for Singapore to build the nation as it gave Singaporeans a stake in defence which made them feel committed to defending their country.

b) Explain why the British withdrawal of their armed forces posed problems for Singapore.

First, tens of thousands people would lose their jobs and the government would have to create new jobs for them.

Second, Singapore had only three years from 1968 to build up an effective military force. This was a tremendous task as Singapore had only a small defence force of one thousand soldiers on land, two old armed patrol ships and no fighter planes and also National Service had just been introduced in 1967.

c) “The multi-racial policy of the Singapore Armed Forces managed to unite the races together.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

For questions asking if you are agreeing with the statement, remember to give a balanced argument by writing two sides of the argument-agree & disagree. Give AT LEAST 2 reasons for agreeing and AT LEAST 2 reasons for disagreeing, then round up your answer with a conclusion.

I AGREE that multi-racial policy of the Singapore Armed Forces managed to unite the races together as males from different races and religions were brought together to be trained during the compulsory National Service. Living and training together for two years enabled them to learn how to be sensitive to each other’s religion, cultural behavior and unique behavior. Sharing common experiences in the army also helped to them forge a common bond and it made them feel committed to defending the country.

This could be seen in the racial riots in May 1969 when violence occurred in some parts of Singapore. SAF troops did not participate in the riots but instead worked together to bring about order to the country.

HOWEVER the different races were not only united by the multi-racial policy of the SAF, the common bond was also forged when SAF strived to develop in its men a sense of responsibility to the society and build up close ties with the rest of the population. This is achieved by involving its men in community service. In the late 1960s, the army was often involved in constructing roads and bridges in the less developed areas of the country. Welfare homes were also adopted.

Therefore I conclude that the statement is only true to a certain extent.

Answers to Workbook B: Chapter 13 (SBQ)

2006-09-29T17:00:00.000+08:00

Dear All, pls note that I have refined the answers so pls relook/recopy the answers if you have copied them during the remedial.

Chapt 13: Housing the people
Workbook B (Pg 48-50)

(a) Source A seems to suggest that HDB was efficient in providing housing for the people. From Source A I can see that HDB had built many high-rise flats even before the old buildings were demolished.

(b) Pick out and write out the points that you can compare to contextual knowledge
Source B tells me that HDB built 54 430 housing units within the five years it was established.
Compare Source B to other sources in the question
Source A also supports Source B as extracted from Source A suggested that HDB was efficient in providing housing for the people as from Source A I can see that HDB had built many high-rise flats.
Compare Source B to contextual knowledge
This is supported by my contextual knowledge that by 1965, HDB was able to achieve the targets of its First Five-Year Building Programme which was to build 51,000 housing units for the people.
Conclusion
Based on the above, Source B proves that HDB was successful in providing public housing.

(c) Similarity
Both Sources B and C are similar in telling me that SIT failed to provide adequate housing for the people although it had been around for 32 years as Source B says “in its first three years, the Housing Development Board built…as its predecessor, the Singapore Improvement Trust, had constructed in its entire 32 years” and Source C says “in its 32 years of existence, the Singapore Improvement Trust was ineffective in solving housing shortage”.
Difference
However Source B focuses on the failure of SIT in comparison to the success of HDB while Source C focuses on the failure of SIT in meeting the country’s housing standards as Source B says “in its first three years, the Housing Development Board built…as its predecessor, the Singapore Improvement Trust, had constructed in its entire 32 years” while Source C says “they built only about 20 per cent of the nation’s total housing requirements”.
Conclusion
Hence Sources B and C despite sharing differences are also similar to a certain extent.

(d) State the usefulness of the source
Source C is useful as it tells me that SIT did not provide adequate housing for the population in its 32 years of operation as extracted from Source C, “ineffective in solving housing shortage” and “built only 20 percent of the nation’s total housing requirements”.
Compare Source B to contextual knowledge/other sources
According to my contextual knowledge, this is true as SIT built only 23 000 housing units in 32 years whereas the population needed more housing units than that. I also know that PAP dissolved SIT and set up HDB after PAP won the 1959 elections as SIT was ineffective in providing sufficient housing. Thus Source C is rather reliable. Considering its reliability, I would say that Source C is useful as the reliability of a source enhances the usefulness of a source.
OR
Source B also support Source C as Source B says "in its first three years, the Housing Development Board built…as its predecessor, the Singapore Improvement Trust, had constructed in its entire 32 years".
Conclusion
However, Source C is useful only to a certain extent because it fails to tell why SIT was ineffective in providing adequate housing.

Final Examinations Study Guide

2006-09-29T16:32:00.000+08:00

My dear students

This is a guide to help you in your History revision. After finish studying a chapter, ask yourself the following questions. This is important as it serves as a form of self-check on how much you have understood. Learn to elaborate on the your answers instead of just listing your answers. Should you encounter any difficulty, feel free to consult me or email me. Study hard and good luck!

Blessings, Ms Zhang =)

P.S: Chapters 1- 4 are not included in this study guide BUT it does not mean that the chapters are unimportant. As they are fairly easy as compared to Chapters 5-14, I trust that all of you can understand and grasp the essence of the chapters easily.

Chapter 5: World War II and the Fall of Singapore

1. Why did the Germans support Hitler?
2. Why did Japan want to invade Southeast Asia and South Pacific?
3. Why was Pearl Harbor owned by the Americans in the Pacific Ocean a threat to the Japanese?
4. Which was the only country in Southeast Asia not ruled by by western colonial powers in the 1940s?
5. Why were the British confident that the Japanese would not conquer Singapore?
6. Why were the British eventually defeated by the Japanese?

Chapter 6: The Syonan Years: Surviving the Horrors of War

1. What was the Sook Ching Operation?
2. Why did the Japanese regard the Chinese as their enemies?
3. Why did the Japanese regard Eurasians as their enemies?
4. How did the Japanese carry out the propaganda?
5. What was the purpose of Force 136?

Chapter 7: End of War and Post-War Problems

1. What were the reactions of the people when the Japanese announced over the radio that they had surrendered?
2. When was the surrender document signed? Who signed it and where was it signed?
3. What caused food shortages after the war?
4. How did the British solve the problem of food shortages?
5. Why did people suffer from poor health conditions?
6. How did the British improve the poor health conditions of the people?

Chapter 8: Waves of Unrest: Strikes and Riots after the War

1. When and where was the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) first set up?
2. Why was the MCP able to influence the teachers and students in Chinese schools?
3. Why was the MCP able to influence trade unions and Chinese workers?
4. Who was the man who influenced the trade unions and students to go on strikes on the 1950s?
5. Why were the Malays upset when British returned Maria Hertogh back to her natural parents?
6. Was communism the only factor that caused riots in Singapore in the 1950s?

Chapter 9: Road to Self-government

1. How was the legislative council in 1948 different from the legislative council in 1942?
2. Which political party won the 1948 election in Singapore?
3. What areas of the country could the locals control in 1955?
4. Which political party won the 1955 election?
5. Who the first Chief Minister of Singapore?
6. Who was the second Chief Minister of Singapore?
7. Which political party won the 1959 election and why?

Chapter 10: Joining Malaysia

1. Why was Singapore looking forward to merger with Malaysia?
2. Why was Tunku not supportive of merger initially?
3. Why did Tunku agree to merge with Singapore later?
4. What were the reactions of Sabah, Sarawak, Philippines and Indonesia towards the merger? 5. What was PAP’s reaction towards the merger?
6. Why was there a divide in PAP over the merger?
7. What was the name of the political party that was formed by the former PAP assembly men who were expelled?

Chapter 11: On Our own: Separation from Malaysia

1. Which were the 3 parties that made up the Singapore Alliance (SA)?
2. What was the aim of forming SA?
3. Which political party won the 1963 election in Singapore?
4. What kind of politics did SA played on?
5. Why did the Malays support PAP in the 1963 election in Singapore?
6. Why was UMNO unhappy when PAP took part in the 1964 Federal Election in Malaya?
7. Was the clash in politics the only reason why Singapore and Malaya separated?

Chapter 12: Journey in Nation-Building

1. What were the 2 economic problem faced by PAP in the 1960s?
2. What were the 5 conditions necessary for Industrialisation to take place in Singapore?
3. Why was Jurong chosen as the site for Singapore’s Industrialisation programme?
4. What was the role played by EDB in the industrialization programme of Singapore?
5. What did the government do to create industrial peace?
6. Why would Singapore face less competition from other Asian countries if they shift from producing low-value products to high-value products?
7. To produce higher value products, what skills did the workers need?
8. What did the government do to provide the workers with the above training?

Chapter 13: Housing the People

1. Why was there shortage of housing in the 1950s?
2. What was the organization set up by the British administration to provide houses for the people?
3. What was the first thing PAP did when they came to power? 4
4. Which income group was the PAP most concerned regarding housing?
5. Who was the first chairman of HDB?
6. What do you know about the First Five-Year Building Programme?
7. What were the 2 reasons for HDB’s success in building houses for people?
8. How did the government ensure that people were able to own the houses they stay in?
9. How did public housing contribute to nation-building?

Chapter 14: Building Up Our Defence Force

1. Why was there a need for Singapore to build up her defence force?
2. Why did Singapore choose to build a citizen’s army?
3. What were the problems Singapore faced when building the citizen’s army?
4. Why did the British withdraw their military from Singapore in 1968?
5. What did PAP do to overcome this problem?
6. What was the Five-Power Defence Arrangements about?
7. What was the other function of National Service besides defending the nation?
8. How did National Service forge a common bond between NSmen?

Answers to Workbook B: Chapter 12 (SBQ)

2006-09-29T16:15:00.000+08:00

Chapt 12: Journey in Nation-Building
Workbook B (Pg 36-39)

(a) Source A tells me that the strikes were due to communist influence and they were serious enough to disrupt politics and create tension in factories as extracted from Source A, “political instability and industrial strife due primarily to communist agitators.”

OR

Source A also tells me that the motive of the strikes was not to help the workers but to put the government in bad light as extracted from Source A, “they aimed to embarrass the government rather than improve the worker’s lot”.

(b) Summarize (for statistcs)/ Pick out and write out the points that you can compare to contextual knowledge (for statement)
Source B tells me the number of industrial stoppages/ strikes, number of workers involved in the strikes and number of man-days lost gradually decreases over the period of 1960 to 1980 and they eventually decrease to zero in 1980. This means industrial peace was achieved in 1980.
Compare Source B to other sources in the question
Source A also supports Source B as extracted from Source A, “in the early 1960s, the ruling People’s Action Party…defeated them” and “strikes became fewer”.
Compare Source B to contextual knowledge
From my contextual knowledge, this is true as I know that the government passed the Industrial Relations Ordinance in 1960 in order to create industrial peace. This ordinance established clear guidelines for negotiations between the employers and workers if there were any disagreements. Arbitration Courts were also set up to settle disagreements.
Conclusion
With the above, I conclude that Source B is reliable.

c) Similarity
Both Sources A and B tell me that there was industrial peace as the number of strikes had decreased as extracted from Source A, “strikes became fewer” while in Source B, the number of strikes was 45 in 1960 and the number decreased to 0 in 1980.
Difference
However Source A tells me the reason for the decrease in the number of strikes, as extracted from Source A, “People’s Action Party succeeded in containing extremist elements and defeated them” but Source B does not tell me the reason for the decrease in the number of strikes.
Conclusion
Hence Sources A and B despite sharing similarities are also different to a certain extent.

d) State why the source is useful in helping you understand the success of Singapore's economic programme
Source C is useful as it tells me the economy boom and foreign investment led to the success of Singapore’s economic growth programmes as extracted from Source C, “boom conditions” and “foreign capital”.
Compare Source B to contextual knowledge/other sources
According to my contextual knowledge, this is true as world trade expanded very rapidly in the 1960s and many international companies were willing to invest in Singapore which made Singapore’s industries developed at a very fast pace. Thus Source C is rather reliable. Considering its reliability, I would say that Source C is useful as the reliability of a source enhances the usefulness of it. (**Must make this semi-conclusion)
Conclusion
However, Source C is useful only to a certain extent because it fails to tell me that who developed Singapore’s economic programme and who was responsible for its success.

FYI (For Your Information)

2006-09-25T21:11:00.000+08:00

Email me or msn me at bunnyfanatic@hotmail.com if you have questions regarding history. Pls note that spam will not be welcomed. After you have emailed me and if there's no response, pls come and look for me cos your mail may be sent to my junkmail instead of my inbox. All questions are welcomed!

Common Test 2

2006-09-16T19:19:00.000+08:00

Study hard and Good luck for your Common Test 2 my dear history classes!
Format is exactly the same as CommonTest 1 (if you ain't paying attention in class).

Q & A (Chapts 7 - 11)

2006-09-16T19:08:00.000+08:00

Chapt 7

1. Who is the man who led the Americans in a great sea battle against the Japanese in Philippines?
Ans: General Douglas MacArthur

2. What are the 2 things that the British did to stop the food prices from rising?
Ans: Set up control prices for essential foodstuffs like sugar, salt, fresh fish and fresh vegetables and impose penalty on people caught profiteering (makes huge profits by charging high prices for goods that are hard to get)

3. What measure did the British take to overcome the problem of changing banana $ to British currency?
Ans: Short-run solution= Issued relief grants to the people (Man of the household-$5, each woman-$4, each child-$2, Max $20 per month). Long run solution = Create jobs

4. Why were thousands of people out of work when the British took over?
Ans: Many jobs created by the Japanese disappeared when the British returned

Chapt 8

5. Why did strikes and riots break out in the 1950s and 1960s?
Ans: People were discontented with the British government as they were unable to solve all the postwar problems and people were influenced by MCP who stirred up anti-British feelings.

6. Why were the Chinese students attracted to the promise the the MCP?
Ans:Unhappy with the British government as they felt that the British provided more employment & educational opportunities for the English-educated than for the Chinese-educated.

7. Who were the targets of the Maria Hertogh Riots? Why?
Ans: Europeans & Eurasians as it was believed they were responsible for Maria’s plight.

Chapt 9

8. What are the 3 reasons that Singapore wanted self-government?
Ans: The people’s attitude towards the British as rulers had changed.
After suffering during the Japanese Occupation, people of Singapore felt that neither the Japanese nor the British had the right to push or kick them around.
Many countries under colonial rule were on their way to ruling themselves.
**You need to elaborate on the statements.

9. Why were the British reluctant to let Singapore go?
Ans: Singapore is still useful as a free port and military base for the British.
Communism threat.

10. Which were the 2 parties running for the 1955 Election and who won?
Ans: Labour Front and PAP. Labour Front won.

11. Which area of the government matter would the British officials and the Singapore government share after Singapore achieve full self-government?
Ans: Internal Security

Chapt 10

12. Define common market.
Ans: An agreement between countries allowing goods produced in one country to enter another country without having to pay taxes.

13. How did Tunku plan to solve his fear of the Chinese population in Singapore out-numbering the Malay population after merger?
Ans: Planned to include Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei into the proposed Federation of Malaysia.

14. Why were the Communists in Singapore were against merger?
Ans: Knew that Malayan government was anti-communist. **You need to elaborate on the statements.

15. Why was Malaya reluctant to establish Common Market after the merger?
Ans: Malaya was afraid that goods manufactured in Malaya would face competition from Singapore. Industries and factories in Malaya will be adversely affected.

16. What was the only special privilege enjoyed by Malays in Singapore?
Ans: PAP would give Malays in Singapore free education up to university level

Chapt 11

17. What kind of politics does Malaya use?
Ans: Communal which is to promote the interests of one race over another.

18. Why was Malaya displeased when PAP took part in the 1964 Federal Election?
Ans: UMNO saw PAP’s participation as direct challenge to its supremacy in Malaysia and PAP as a threat to Malay political dominance.

19. What is the view of Tunku on the racial riots in 1964?
Ans: The riots might be due to the fact that the Malays in Singapore felt neglected.

20. Malaya proposed Singapore to increase its financial contribution to the Federal government from ~% to ~%?
Ans: 40% to 60%

Answers to Workbook B: Chapter 11

2006-09-16T17:03:00.000+08:00

History – Workbook B Answers
Chapter 11: On Our Own: Separation from Malaysia

I. Fill in the Blanks

1. Central, Alliance Party
2. equal
3. multi-racial
4. Utusan Melayu
5. 21 July 1964, curfew
6. Confrontation
7. economic
8. political
9. 9 August 1965, nation, Republic
10. challenges/ difficulties/ problems

II. Questions with One-sentence Answers

1. Malaya's politics was communal while Singapore's politics was non-communal.

2. PAP wanted to create a 'Malaysian Malaysia' where people of all races or religions would be treated equally.

3. NOT NECCESSARY TO DO

4. NOT NECCESSARY TO DO

5. NOT NECCESSARY TO DO

6. Malaya was afraid that goods manufactured in Malaya would face competition from Singapore and industries and factories in Malaya will be adversely affected.

7. The main aim is to campaign for a Malaysian Malaysia where everyone would be treated equally regardless of their race or religion.

8. NOT NECCESSARY TO DO

Skills Zone (pg 28)

Question: How useful is the source in telling you about the 1964 race riots?

The source is useful in telling me that the Malays and Chinese participated in the racial riots on 21st July as the Kris represents the Malays while the chopper represents the Chinese. I can tell that there was violence and bloodshed as seen from the blood flowing from the weapons. I can also tell that the riots caused people to stay indoors as the streets were empty.

According to my contextual knowledge, this is true as I know that the 1964 race riots were caused by the Malays and Chinese and it happened on 21st July. The riot was indeed violent as 23 poeple died and 454 people were injured. The riots also forced people to stay indoors as
Singapore was put under curfew till 2 August 1964. Considering the reliability of Source D, I would say that Source D is useful.

However, Source D is useful only to a certain extent because it fails to tell me why the two races wanted to attack each other.

Structured-essay Questions will be posted later

Answers to Workbook B: Chapter 10

2006-09-15T16:14:00.000+08:00

History – Workbook B Answers
Chapter 10: Joining Malaysia

I. Fill in the Blanks

1. unemployment, poor housing, education
2. Common Market, tariff
3. independence
4. communists
5. referendum
6. Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak
7. Indonesia, Philippines
8. 16 September 1963
9. NOT NECESSARY TO DO
10. loan, Sabahm Sarawak

II. Questions with One-sentence Answers

1. NOT NECESSARY TO DO

2. With the Common Market, goods produced in Singapore could enter Malaya without having to pay taxes and this would increased trade. With the increased in trade, there would be a growth in industries and this would created more jobs for people.

3. He was worried that the communists and their supporters in Singapore would become too strong for PAP to deal with and they might capture power from the PAP.

4. They knew that Malayan government was anti-communist and if Singapore joined Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur government would crack down on communist activities and arrest them.

5. By joining the Federation of Malaysia, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei would be part of a strong and stable federation and the British would be able to end colonial rule in these territories without fearing that these former colonies would be controlled by another power.

6. It was an Indonesian policy to oppose the formation of Malaysia which started out with harsh words but turned violent later.

7. It claimed Sabah as part of its territory.

8. Tunku met Presidents of both Indonesia and Philippines and both agreed to allow a United Nations (UN) team to survey the wishes of the people in Sabah and Sarawak.

Skills Zone

NOT NECESSARY TO DO (pg 19-20)

Practice Zone (pg 21)

(a) The cartoonist believed that Singapore was at a crossroad and there were only 2 choices of merger with Malaysia or venturing out as an independent nation in 1961. According to what the cartoonists had drawn, merger which is the the choice on the left was a better one as it would lead to “jobs” and “stability” for Singapore as shown in the “signposts”. The cartoonist also think that merger would give Singapore a hope and a future as the road to merger is a road leading up to the mountain. On the other hand, venturing out as an independent nation would be a disaster because it leads to unemployment and chaos as shown in the “signposts” and Singapore would plunge into the fall off the cliff.

(b) Source B seems to suggest that Singapore was attracted to Malaya's "peace, progress and prosperity and therefore wanted to merge with Malaya. It also seems that Singapore wanted merger because they wanted freedom as extracted from Source B, "look towards Kuala Lumpur" and "the spark of freedom in their eyes".

According to my contextual knowledge, these are true as Singapore was attracted to Malaya as Malaya’s hinterland would provide raw materials for Singapore’s industries and market for goods manufactured in Singapore and this would enable Singapore to develop economically. I also know that it was true that Singapore wanted merger so they could achieve independence and be freed from British rule.

Source C also supports the point of Source B that Singapore wanted merger because of independence as Source C says that "if independence could come sooner and easier through the Borneo Territories joining us in political combination, then we support it..."

Therefore based on the above, I conclude that I can trust Source B in its suggestion of Singapore's reasons for merger.

(c) Both Sources A and B tells that merging with Malaya is good as inferred from Source A, Singapore's merger with Malaya would lead to "jobs", "stability" and "four year plan" which is the common market while Source B suggested that it would give people independence as extracted fron Source B, "look towards Kuala Lumpur" with "the spark of freedom in their eyes".

However Source A only focuses on the ways that Singapore would benefit if it merged ith Malaya as in gaining "jobs", "stability" and "four year plan" which is the common market but it did not show why Singapore wanted to merge with Malaya and not other countries. On the other hand, Source B focuses why other countries would want to merge with Malaya as Source B says that "such peace, process and prosperity, that it was only natural that other states in the region, which were still under 'British' control should look towards Kuala Lumpur,...".

Hence Sources B and C despite sharing similarities are also different to a certain extent.

(d) Source C is useful in telling me the reasons wy Singapore chose merger. Firstly, merger seemed to be a natural choice to Singapore as it says "we, in Singapore, have always been close to Malaya". Secondly, Singapore would independence and economic growth as it says "if independence could come sooner and easier through the Borneo Territories joining us in political combination, then we support it, for it would mean that we should have a large and powerful economic base for our new nation".

According to my contextual knowledge, this is true as I know that Singapore wanted merger because it wanted to be independent and freed from British rule. I also know that Malaya’s hinterland would provide raw materials for Singapore’s industries and market for goods manufactured in Singapore and this would enable Singapore to develop economically. Therefore Source C is reliable. Considering the reliability of Source C, I would say that Source C is useful.

However, Source C is useful only to a certain extent because it did not elaborate on how merger with Malaya would bring about independence and economic growth.

Tips on Answering Source-Based Questions

2006-09-14T17:35:00.000+08:00

Note that this is only a sample to help you answer SBQ. It is not compulsory to use this format.

1. Inference

Infer: to form an opinion or make judgment based on something
To hit full marks – Makes inferences, supported by source details

S – what do you see?
E – Evidence from source
E – Explain

Example:
1.From Source A, I infer that/ see that…….
2.This is because from Source A I see that …./ Source A says that “…………”

2. Skill of Comparison

Identify common criterion in both sources
To hit full marks – Explain similarities AND differences in source content, (tone and purpose)=if any, supported by source details

Example:

Similarities
1. Both Sources B and C tell me that …..
2. As Source B says that “………..”and Source C says that “…..”

Differences
3. However Source B focuses on …… while Source C focuses on …….
4. As Source B says that “………..”and Source C says that “………...”

Conclusion
5. Hence Sources B and C despite sharing similarities are also different to a certain extent.

3. Reliability

Is the source telling the truth?
To hit full marks – Identify reliability, with cross-reference to contextual knowledge and other sources

Example:
1. Source A tells me that ….
2. According to my contextual knowledge, …………
3. Source B supports Source A as …………
4. (Compare tone, strong language, exaggeration, purpose if any. Refer to workbk pg 73, qn (b) for an example on looking at exaggeration & purpose)
5. Thus I conclude that …………..

4. Usefulness

Is the source useful in telling me that……?
To hit full marks –Useful and not useful based on source content, reliability checked

Example:
1. If Source A is a statement/ statistics - Source A is useful in telling me that …….. as Source A says that “…............…..”
If Source A is a picture - Source A is useful in telling me that ……. as Source A shows me that….........
2. According to my contextual knowledge, this is true/false…………
3. Considering the reliability of Source D, I would say that Source D is useful/ not useful ………
4. However, Source D is useful only to a certain extent because it fails to tell me that …………..

Answers to Workbook B: Chapter 9

2006-09-14T17:30:00.000+08:00

History – Workbook B Answers
Chapter 9: Road to Self-government

I. MCQ

1. A
2. C
3. D
4. A
5. D
6. C
7. B
8. B
9. C
10. B

II. Questions with One-sentence Answers

1. Singapore's peace and security faced a serious threat from the communists whom the British felt Singapore could not handle.

2. It enabled local people to participate more in the ogvernment by giving certain powers to the local leaders who were elected by the people and local leaders could now control some areas of the government like education, health, housing, trade and industry.

3. About 160 000 people turned up to vote compared to only 13 800 who voted in the 1948 election. (Note that voting was not made compulsory in this election yet)

4. British was pleased with Lim Yew Hock as he was more active in arresting communists and more willing to suppress strikes and riots.

5. Singapore could now control all internal matters except they had to share control of internal security with the British. (This is only 1 way, check out textbookbook pg 160-161)

Skills Zone NOT NECESSARY TO DO (pg 6-9)

Practice Zone

Practice 1 (pg 10)

The source is useful in telling me that alot of the people were interested in the election campaigns of 1959 as the source shows me that alot of people turned up for the election campaigns even though it was raining. (Contextual knowledge not applcable in this case as you have not learnt about the reactions of the people in the election campaigns of 1959) However, the source is useful only to a certain extent because it fails to tell me that it only shows the reaction of the people towards 1 party, PAP and it does not tell me how they react to other parties.

Practice Zone

(a) Source A tells me that the Rendel Commission created the opportunity for new political parties to be formed and for them to grow. This is because from Source A I see that Rendel is watering sprouting mushrooms which symbolises emerging new political parties such as "Alliance, "PAP", "Labour Front", "Democratic Party" and "Progressive Party".

(b) Source B tells me that the people in Singapore under the British rule had no loyalty and "no attachment" to Singapore as they felt that Singapore did not belong to them. According to my contextual knowledge, this is true as I know that many immigrants were only concerned about earning money in Singapore and they would return to their own countries when they had earned enough. Thus I conclude that Source B is reliable.

(c) Source C supports the point that Source B makes about Singapore being largely made up of immigrants. Source Source C also supports the point that Source B makes about the immigrants having "no attachment to the country". Source C suggested that immigrants were not attached to the country as it says that "we have to start this habit" which is to "stay and fight".

(d) Source C is useful in telling me that Singapore faced the challenge of keeping the immigrants in Singapore and making people loyal to Singapore as it had just gained independence. As extracted from Source C, “we are a new society, largely of immigrant stock" and "the future will be decided by whether we are 'stayers' or 'quitters'”. According to my contextual knowledge, this is true as I know that many immigrants were only concerned about earning money in Singapore and they would return to their own countries when they had earned enough. Considering the reliability of Source C, I would say that it is useful. However, it is useful only to a small extent because it fails to tell me what other challenges Singapore was facing at that time.

Answers to Workbook A: Chapter 8

2006-09-13T15:50:00.000+08:00

History – Workbook A Answers
Chapter 8: Waves of Unrest: Strikes and Riots after the War

I. Fill in the Blanks

1. Malayan Communist Party
2. English, Chinese
3. threat/ danger/ risk
4. register
5. strikes, communists
6. Emergency
7. China
8. workers, students, Lim Chin Siong
9. end/ overthrow
10. racial, Maria Hertogh

II. Questions with One-sentence Answers

1. The workers and students were swayed by the communists and blamed the British government for the post-war problems and unfair educational and employment opportunities.

2. The textbooks contained communist messages and praised the greatness of China which had become a communist country.

3. The guerilla attacks carried out by the communists had little success in Malaya and Emergency laws were relaxed in Singapore.

4. The government gave in to the students’ demand to release the Chinese student leaders.

5. 18 people died and 173 were injured as a result of the Riots. OR There was much damage done to public and private property which cost the government a huge amount of money to repair and compensate.

NOT NECCESSARY TO DO PAGE 68-69 (Skills Zone 1)

Skills Zone 2

Practice 1

This source is useful because it tells me that:
many students participated and it was a large-scale riot.

Evidence:
From the picture, I can see that there are many students on the streets and barricades were erected by the police that indicated the riot was large-scale.

My own knowledge tells me that:
Many of the Chinese students created the riots or support the riots so this source is reliable. The reliability of the source enhances the usefulness of the source thus this source is useful to a large extent.

Practice 2

This source is useful because it tells me that:
the people were living in poor social conditions and there were squatter areas.

Evidence:
The conditions of the houses were very bad and from the dressing of the people I know that they were poor.

My own knowledge tells me that:

A lot of people moved out of flats to build their own houses as they did not have enough money to pay the rent. These areas are known as squatter areas so this source is reliable. The reliability of the source enhances the usefulness of the source thus this source is useful to a large extent.

Practice Zone 2

Practice 1

(a) Source A tells me that people generally seemed to welcome the return of the British as Source A shows that there are alot of people out on the street with eagerness on their faces, looking at the British trucks passing through.

(b) Source B tells me that the whole population welcome the return of the British and Source A supports Source B in this. According to my contextual knowledge, I know that people welcome the return of the British as they saw it as the end of the Japanese Occupation and their suffering. Thus this source is rather reliable. However, Source B exaggerates the reaction of the people by using words like "totally enthusiastic"and "obvious relief" which makes it biased. It seems that the purpose of the account is to portray that the British was well-liked by the people. Due to the above, I conclude that this source is only reliable to a small extent.

(c) Both sources shows the reaction of the people towards the British. However, Source B tells me that the people viewed the British positively while Source C tells me that the people viewed the British negatively as Source B says that "the reception of the British was totally enthusiastic from all sections of the population" while Source C says that "the BMA was commonly referred to as the Black Market Administration".

Therefore although Sources B and C are similar in the way that they tell me the reaction of the people towards the British, they are are also different as the views of the British differs.

Practice 2

(a) Source A tells me that the government has increased the financial aid to schools from 1948 ($580 000) to 1954 ($3 030 000). However, there was a disparity in the financial aid given to Chinese and English schools. As compared to English schools, taking into consideration the population of the students, Chinese schools had received much lower financial aid. Chinese schools only received $440 000, while English schools received $2 230 000. I can therefore safely infer from Source A that the government’s policy in education from 1948-1954 favoured the English schools.

(b) The source is saying that the Chinese students “rioted in the city” due to the National Service Ordinance. This unhappiness over the Ordinance is also repeated in Source C when its says that “National Service was unpopular among the Chinese”. It also tally with my contextual knowledge that in May 1954, there was the Anti-National Service Riot. Therefore, I can say that Source B is reliable to a very large extent in what it tells us about anti-National Service Riots.

(c) This source is useful in telling me that the communists were responsible for encouraging the students to oppose the National Service Ordinance. From Source C, it says “If agitation could be mounted against it, there was a distinct chance the students could be mobilised”.
This piece of information is reliable at the same time as from my contextual knowledge, I know that many of the students were influenced by the communists to go against the British government. However, Source C is useful only to a certain extent because it fails to tell me more about what the communists exactly did to encourage the students in opposing the National Service Ordinance.

Structured-essay Question will be posted later

Answers to Workbook A: Chapter 7

2006-08-30T18:10:00.000+08:00

History – Workbook A Answers

Chapter 7: End of War & Post-War Problems

I. MCQ
1. A
2. B
3. B
4. C
5. D

II. Questions with One-sentence Answers
1. Rice-producing countries did not have enough rice to sell.
The war had destroyed a large number of ships that were used for transporting food.
Very few warehouses were left that could store food.

2. Family Restaurants were set up by the British to help very poor families who could not afford 35-cent meals by providing them with 8-cent meals.

3. The British attempted to repair faulty water pipes to save enormous quantities of water from bring wasted daily.
The British imported chlorine from other countries to treat water so it was safe for drinking.
The British got the Japanese POWs to repair the water mains.

4. Population in Singapore was growing rapidly leading to tough competition for jobs.

5. The British ordered teaching materials and other essential items for education.
The British helped to get children from needy families back in school by announcing that children of parents receiving emergency relief need not pay school fees.

Skills Zone 1
1. Yes. The source is an opinion as it contains strong words like “dreaded”, “never” and “so horribly”.

2. No. The source is a factual one as 2 sides of the situation are provided.

3. Yes. The source is an opinion as it contains strong words like “unbearable”, “hardly anything” and “all they can think about”.

Skills Zone 2

Practice 1
Authorship (refers to the person who wrote the source) = Lee Kuan Yew

Content = On the living conditions in Singapore after the war and what the government did or did not do

Tone = critical, serious

Purpose = To show how the British government was not doing enough to help the people in Singapore and to put them in a bad light

Based on these factors, how much can you trust the source?
Even though the author’s purpose was to put the British in a bad light, the source does provide both sides of the situation. Furthermore, from contextual knowledge, I know that the British did try to solve post war problems but they were unsuccessful in some cases. Therefore I would trust the source to a large extent.

Practice 2
Source Content: “We have appalling slums. People packed in cubicles and dark, airless tenements.”
My Own Knowledge: The shortage of houses after the war resulted in the rapid rise of rents. This made people who could not afford the rents, squeezed into small overcrowded buildings or moved out the city and became squatters who built attap houses on unused land.

Source Content: “We see attap dwellers evicted and their simple houses pulled down”.
My Own Knowledge: The British evicted squatters to build flats to help the housing shortage.

Source Content: “We have not nearly enough schools”.
My Own Knowledge: The British tried to build schools but the population was growing too rapidly.

Conclusion:
My knowledge mainly supports the source.
This increases the reliability of the source.

Quote of the Day

2006-08-30T16:12:00.001+08:00

God cannot alter the past, though historians can.
~Samuel Butler, "Prose Observations"

The past cannot be changed by anyone yet history can be changed by historians.

Points to Ponder:
Why do these historians want to change history and what is their motive?
What are some of the countries that have changed history?
Is what you are learning and reading now all true?
Will you ever know the truth of the past?

Learn to be a good detective in finding out the truths buried by historians by refining your skills of inferrence, comparing & contrasting, evaluating reliability and usefulness. =)