Different written references Different written references about Singapore from about Singapore from Long Long Yamen Yamen (Dragon’s Tooth (Dragon’s Tooth Strait), Strait), pancur pancur (Spring) to (Spring) to Tamasik (Sea Town).Tamasik (Sea Town).

According to Malay Annals a According to Malay Annals a prince from Palembang, prince from Palembang, Sang Utama, catches sight Sang Utama, catches sight of a lion upon landing at of a lion upon landing at Temasak. He named the Temasak. He named the island Singapura (Lion City).island Singapura (Lion City).

Sticky Fact

According to Malay Annals a According to Malay Annals a prince from Palembang, prince from Palembang, Sang Utama, catches sight Sang Utama, catches sight of a lion upon landing at of a lion upon landing at Temasak. He named the Temasak. He named the island Singapura (Lion City).island Singapura (Lion City).

Sticky FactThe lion Sang

Utama sighted was said to have been red with a black

head.

28 January 28 January Sir Stamford Sir Stamford Raffles, who was the Raffles, who was the Lieutenant-Governor of Lieutenant-Governor of Bencoolen, arrives in Singapore.Bencoolen, arrives in Singapore.

6 February 6 February Raffles signs a treaty with Sultan Raffles signs a treaty with Sultan Husein of Johor and the Temenggong Husein of Johor and the Temenggong to establish a British trading post in to establish a British trading post in Singapore. William Farquhar becomes Singapore. William Farquhar becomes the first Resident of Singapore.the first Resident of Singapore.

Sticky Fact

28 January 28 January Sir Stamford Sir Stamford Raffles, who was the Raffles, who was the Lieutenant-Governor of Lieutenant-Governor of Bencoolen, arrives in Singapore.Bencoolen, arrives in Singapore.

6 February 6 February Raffles signs a treaty with Sultan Raffles signs a treaty with Sultan Husein of Johor and the Temenggong Husein of Johor and the Temenggong to establish a British trading post in to establish a British trading post in Singapore. William Farquhar becomes Singapore. William Farquhar becomes the first Resident of Singapore.the first Resident of Singapore.

Sticky Fact7 Feb, William Farquhar

is left in charge when Raffles left for

Bencoolen, where he had been appointed

Lieutenant-Governor.

John Crawfurd, the second Resident of Singapore, John Crawfurd, the second Resident of Singapore, formalisesformalises Singapore’s status as a British possession. Singapore’s status as a British possession.

Sticky Fact

John Crawfurd, the second Resident of Singapore, John Crawfurd, the second Resident of Singapore, formalisesformalises Singapore’s status as a British possession. Singapore’s status as a British possession.

Sticky FactResident of

Singapore, refers to the local ruler of

a settlement.

Singapore becomes part of the Straits Settlements with Singapore becomes part of the Straits Settlements with Melaka and Penang.Melaka and Penang.

Sticky Fact

Singapore becomes part of the Straits Settlements with Singapore becomes part of the Straits Settlements with Melaka and Penang.Melaka and Penang.

Sticky FactThe Dutch found out about

Singapore eventually, however neither Britain or Holland wanted to have a

confrontation and signed the Anglo-Dutch Treaty. Thus

Singapore came as a British port and the Dutch traded

their port of Melaka for Britain’s Bencoolen.

April April The Straits Settlements The Straits Settlements comes under the control of the Colonial Office in comes under the control of the Colonial Office in London and is ruled by a Governor based in Singapore London and is ruled by a Governor based in Singapore (Singapore became a Crown Colony).(Singapore became a Crown Colony).

Sticky Fact

April April The Straits Settlements The Straits Settlements comes under the control of the Colonial Office in comes under the control of the Colonial Office in London and is ruled by a Governor based in Singapore London and is ruled by a Governor based in Singapore (Singapore became a Crown Colony).(Singapore became a Crown Colony).

Sticky FactWhen a settlement becomes a Crown

Colony, it is not just a trading settlement; it now belongs to the Queen of England.

The Suez Canal opens, reducing travel time. Singapore The Suez Canal opens, reducing travel time. Singapore becomes a major port of call and a coaling station.becomes a major port of call and a coaling station.

The Straits Settlements and Federated Malaya States The Straits Settlements and Federated Malaya States Government Medical School (later renamed King Government Medical School (later renamed King

George VII College of Medicine), predecessor of the George VII College of Medicine), predecessor of the National University of Singapore, is established.National University of Singapore, is established.

About 40 people die in the Sepoy Mutiny, also known as About 40 people die in the Sepoy Mutiny, also known as the Mutiny of the 5the Mutiny of the 5thth Light Regiment, which lasted for Light Regiment, which lasted for

ten days.ten days.

Sticky Fact

About 40 people die in the Sepoy Mutiny, also known as About 40 people die in the Sepoy Mutiny, also known as the Mutiny of the 5the Mutiny of the 5thth Light Regiment, which lasted for Light Regiment, which lasted for

ten days.ten days.

Sticky FactThe sepoys were Indian soldiers employed by the British. The mutiny started

when the sepoys heard rumours that they might be sent to fight the Muslims in Europe or Turkey. When

they received orders to sail to Hong Kong, the mutiny

started.

Reffles College, predecessor institution of the National Reffles College, predecessor institution of the National University of Singapore is established.University of Singapore is established.

A British naval base is constructed in Singapore.A British naval base is constructed in Singapore.

15 February ~ 5 September 15 February ~ 5 September Singapore comes under Singapore comes under Japanese Occupation and is Japanese Occupation and is renamed renamed Syonan-ToSyonan-To (Light of (Light of the South or Radiant South).the South or Radiant South).

5 September 5 September The Japanese The Japanese Surrender, and the British Surrender, and the British return to Singapore, which return to Singapore, which comes under the British comes under the British Military Administration.Military Administration.

April April Singapore Singapore becomes a Crown Colony once more.becomes a Crown Colony once more.

20 March 20 March Singapore’s Singapore’s first election is held for the Legislative Council.first election is held for the Legislative Council.

11 December 11 December The custody battle between The custody battle between Maria Hertogh’s Dutch mother and her Muslim adoptive Maria Hertogh’s Dutch mother and her Muslim adoptive parent erupts into riots called the Maria Hertogh Riots.parent erupts into riots called the Maria Hertogh Riots.

The British Government appoint Sir George Rendel to The British Government appoint Sir George Rendel to head a commission to review Singapore’s prospects head a commission to review Singapore’s prospects

for self-government.for self-government.

Chinese students take to the Chinese students take to the streets for the introduction of streets for the introduction of

part-time National Service part-time National Service under the National Service under the National Service

Ordinance.Ordinance.

The People’s Action Party The People’s Action Party (PAP) is formed(PAP) is formed

12 May 12 May The Hock The Hock Lee Bus Riots break outLee Bus Riots break out

February February The Rendel The Rendel Constitution is introducedConstitution is introduced

Sticky Fact

12 May 12 May The Hock The Hock Lee Bus Riots break outLee Bus Riots break out

February February The Rendel The Rendel Constitution is introducedConstitution is introduced

Sticky FactThe Rendel

Constitution gave local Singaporeans

control over housing, trade and industry,

health, and education

June June David Marshall resigns fallowing David Marshall resigns fallowing the break down of talks on internal self-government in the break down of talks on internal self-government in London. His deputy, Lim Yew Hock, succeeds him.London. His deputy, Lim Yew Hock, succeeds him.

30 May 30 May The PAP has a The PAP has a landslide victory at the democratic landslide victory at the democratic election, winning 43 out of the 51 election, winning 43 out of the 51 seats. It forms the government on 3 seats. It forms the government on 3 June.June.

3 December 3 December Yusok bin Ishak becomes Yusok bin Ishak becomes the first Malayan-born the first Malayan-born Yang di-Pertuan Yang di-Pertuan NegaraNegara. The national symbols of state . The national symbols of state flag, crest and anthem are introduced flag, crest and anthem are introduced at the National Loyalty Week.at the National Loyalty Week.

February February The Housing and Development The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is formed to address Singapore’s housing Board (HDB) is formed to address Singapore’s housing problem, with Lim Kim San as its first Chairman.problem, with Lim Kim San as its first Chairman.

27 May 27 May Tunku Abdul Rahman, Prime Tunku Abdul Rahman, Prime Minister of Malaysia, suggests a looser Minister of Malaysia, suggests a looser federation of states including Sabah, federation of states including Sabah, Sarawak, Burnei, the Federtation of Sarawak, Burnei, the Federtation of Malaysia and Singapore.Malaysia and Singapore.

August August The Economical The Economical Development Board (EDB) is set Development Board (EDB) is set up to drive the development of up to drive the development of new and existing industries.new and existing industries.

1 September 1 September 71% of 71% of Singaporeans vote for the PAP’s proposal of merger Singaporeans vote for the PAP’s proposal of merger with Malaysia in a referendum.with Malaysia in a referendum.

16 September 16 September Malaysia is formed, consisting of the Malaysia is formed, consisting of the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah. Indonesia Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah. Indonesia and the Philippines cut off diplomatic ties with Malaysia.and the Philippines cut off diplomatic ties with Malaysia.

21 July 21 July A race A race riot in Singapore leaves 23 riot in Singapore leaves 23 dead and 454 injured.dead and 454 injured.

6 September 6 September Another race riot results in 13 Another race riot results in 13 deaths and 109 injured.deaths and 109 injured.

9 August 9 August Singapore leaves the Singapore leaves the Federation of Malaysia, and becomes an independent Federation of Malaysia, and becomes an independent nation and sovereign nation with Lee Kuan Yew as its nation and sovereign nation with Lee Kuan Yew as its prime ministerprime minister

Sticky Fact

9 August 9 August Singapore leaves the Singapore leaves the Federation of Malaysia, and becomes an independent Federation of Malaysia, and becomes an independent nation and sovereign nation with Lee Kuan Yew as its nation and sovereign nation with Lee Kuan Yew as its prime ministerprime minister

Sticky FactPrime Minister of

Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, in fear that the race riots might continue, is forced to ask Singapore to leave the Federation of Malaysia to put them to an

end.

14 March 14 March The National Service The National Service Amendment Bill is passed requiring all Singaporean male Amendment Bill is passed requiring all Singaporean male citizens upon reaching the age of 18 to enlist for National citizens upon reaching the age of 18 to enlist for National Service.Service.

Withdrawal of British military forcesWithdrawal of British military forces

Reasons for MergerReasons for Merger

SingaporeSingapore Economic SurvivalEconomic Survival

Declining enterpot tradeDeclining enterpot trade Growing population Growing population

requiring jobsrequiring jobs Hopes of forming a Hopes of forming a

common marketcommon market Wanted a share in Wanted a share in

Malaysia’s natural Malaysia’s natural resources of tin, rubber resources of tin, rubber and oiland oil

Political ReasonsPolitical Reasons To gain complete To gain complete

independence from the independence from the BritishBritish

MalaysiaMalaysia Economical SurvivalEconomical Survival

Wanted a share in Wanted a share in Singapore’s portSingapore’s port

Political ReasonsPolitical Reasons Had strong counter-Had strong counter-

Communist laws, thus Communist laws, thus wanted to remove the wanted to remove the Communists from Communists from Singapore through a Singapore through a merger.merger.

Return Views on Merger

Views on MergerViews on Merger

PAPPAPThe leaders of the PAP wanted a merger The leaders of the PAP wanted a merger

with Malaysia, however they lost their with Malaysia, however they lost their support from the radicals within the support from the radicals within the PAP, leading to their failure at the PAP, leading to their failure at the Anson by-election.Anson by-election.

Pro-CommunistsPro-CommunistsThe pro-communists did not want a The pro-communists did not want a

merger. With Malaysia’s strict laws merger. With Malaysia’s strict laws against Communism (these laws against Communism (these laws earned Malaya independence from the earned Malaya independence from the British), the Communists in Singapore British), the Communists in Singapore would be suppressed.would be suppressed.

The People of SingaporeThe People of SingaporeThe citizens wanted independence from The citizens wanted independence from

Britain, a merger with Malaysia would Britain, a merger with Malaysia would earn them immediate independence.earn them immediate independence.

Sabah, Sarawak and BurneiSabah, Sarawak and BurneiAfter the Cobbled agreement, Sabah and After the Cobbled agreement, Sabah and

Sarawak agreed to join Malaysia, Sarawak agreed to join Malaysia, however Burnei refused due to however Burnei refused due to economic reasons.economic reasons.

Indonesia and The PhilippinesIndonesia and The PhilippinesIndonesia refused, as she did not think Indonesia refused, as she did not think

Sabah and Sarawak should agree, Sabah and Sarawak should agree, while The Philippines, also, disagreed, while The Philippines, also, disagreed, as she thought that Burnei was as she thought that Burnei was rightfully part of The Philippines.rightfully part of The Philippines.

Return Reasons forSeparation

ReasonsFor Merger

Reasons for SeparationReasons for Separation Economic ReasonsEconomic Reasons

Failure to set up a common marketFailure to set up a common market Malaysia’s move to increase Malaysia’s move to increase

Singapore’s revenue contribution to the Singapore’s revenue contribution to the Federal GovernmentFederal Government

Political ReasonsPolitical Reasons Disagreement over treatment of Disagreement over treatment of

different racesdifferent races Different views on how to run the Different views on how to run the

GovernmentGovernment Rivalry between the PAP and the Rivalry between the PAP and the

Alliance over the 1963 & 1964 electionsAlliance over the 1963 & 1964 elections Continual break out of race riotsContinual break out of race riots

Return Views onMerger

16 September 16 September Malaysia is formed, consisting of the Malaysia is formed, consisting of the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah. Indonesia Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah. Indonesia and the Philippines cut off diplomatic ties with Malaysia.and the Philippines cut off diplomatic ties with Malaysia.