#5: Credits and conclusion

SOURCES OF INFORMATION:

Google

Others NS RIOT

Group contributions: Jiaxuan(Blogging), Evelyn(Research), Zann(Research), Clarice(Research)

THANKYOU :)

#4: What happened after the riot?

Because of the vigorous resistance, the first big-scale attempt to recruit male youths for part-time national service died a natural death. The colonial government agreed to postpone National Service. The demonstrations awakened the Chinese students' consciousness and strengthened the influence of student leaders. The riots made the students bold and in October 1954 they made a public proposal to form a Singapore Chinese Middle School Students Union (SCMSSU).

The authorities had used the force of the police to crush the riot of 13 May. In 1955 and 1956, when the process towards Singapore's self-government intensified, police-student clashes were to recur. The government tried to diffuse tension by making concessions to student demands but when the students grew too radical and violent under the influence of the SCMSSU, the police organised themselves effectively. With the help of the army, the police was able to prevent civil disorder arising from student unrests.

For the communists, the demonstrations against the National Service Ordinance and the following use of force by the police played into their hands. These developments aroused public sympathy towards the students' cause and gave a tremendous boost to open left-wing activity in the Chinese Middle Schools. Communist subversion in the Chinese Middle Schools was to heighten subsequently under the banner of the SCMSSU.

#3: When and how did it happen?

The anti-ns riot happened on 13 May, 1954. In 1954, the government introduced National Service which required all males aged between 18 and 20 to register for part time military service. Offenders who failed to register would be jailed of fined. However, national service was not popular with secondary students from chinese schools. The influenced communists in Chinese schools stirred up an anti-British feeling amongst the students. The students were of course, not willing to defend a foreign government which ignored the chinese students' interests. On 13 May, 1954, more than 1000 students gathered infront of the government house to present their petition to the governer. Soon, the peaceful demonstration became violent when the police were called in to disperse the crowd. About 26 people were left injured and 48 students were arrested.

COMING UP NEXT: What happened after the riot?

#2: Why did the riot happen?

As mentioned in the previous blog post, the Chinese students were outraged about the decision that National Service had to be compulsory. On 13 May, 1954, violence erupted when hundreds of students clashed with the police. This resulted in 26 students injured and 45 other students arrested. The anti-ns riot marked the beginning of intense communist subversion in the Chinese Middle Schools, which became a breeding ground of communist sympathisers in Singapore.

The riot happened when Singapore decided to make NS compulsory to all males aged 18 to 20. The students were extremely displeased with the decision that the British made. Hence, it made them lose control and decided to riot against this decision.

COMING UP NEXT: When and how did it happen? Stay tuned!

#1: Quick Overview of the Anti-NS Riot

The Anti-NS Riot started out in May 1954, when a group of Chung Cheng High School students held a protest against National Service. During that time, all males between the age of 18 and 20 had to register for part-time National Service. This made the Chinese students enraged as they felt that it was unfair to make National Service compulsory as they 'saw no future in the British-ruled state'. Some of the students, too, believed that it was a ploy to use local people to preserve the colonial rule.

Hence, on May 13, 1954, 500 students made havoc in the streets while another 1,000 students locked themselves in Chung Cheng High School. This resulted in over 20 students injured and 48 others were arrested by the police. On May 18, 1954, 55 students formed a delegation to request for exemption from National Service. Their request was turned down and it outraged those who had to sign up for the National Service. Thereafter, the school authorities decided to close the school two weeks earlier for the school vacation, in fear that there would be further trouble.

2,500 students locked themselves in Chung Cheng High School. The group only dispersed when the police and parents stepped in to intervene.

UP NEXT: WHY DID THIS RIOT HAPPEN?

CREDITS (PART ONE OF TWO)

After the Maria Hertogh Riot, we have credits of the sources these information came from!

Google http://www.google.com.sg/

Wikipedia http://www.wikipedia.org/

Youtube http://www.youtube.com/

Infopedia www.infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_83_2005-02-02.html

Group member credits: Evelyn (Research), Zann (Research and video), Clarice (Research), Jiaxuan (Blogging and video) THANK YOU!! :)

#5: Maria Hertogh Riot - Videos & Conclusion

After these videos, our group came to a conclusion about the Maria Hertogh riot. We felt that it was really important to know how to respect one another's religion. In singapore, up till today, many of us have prejudiced views to religions like Indians and Muslims. I urge all of you who are reading this, to persuade those people around you who do this to stop it. Before you speak about others' religions, have you ever thought about what would you feel like if somebody else insulted your religion? The feeling is not good and nobody would want to experience that. We hope that through this five blog posts, you would have learnt more about the past (like we do) and show more mutual respect for one another. As we pledge everyday morning at the morning assembly, to pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion........ remember to keep to your promise of having racial harmony amongst all of us, singaporeans.

In the next blog post, we will start on the Anti-NS Riots. Do stay tuned and we hope you've learnt something meaningful from this five blog posts! Cheers :)