What this lesson teaches
I can judge how Singapore responded to the Cold War in Southeast Asia, and why.
Syllabus 8838, Theme III, Learning Outcomes. evaluate Singapore's responses to the development of the Cold War in Southeast Asia
Make a guess
Singapore was firmly anti-communist. Do you think it dealt with the Soviet Union?
- No, it refused contact with communist states.
- Yes, it became a close Soviet ally after British forces left.
- Yes, it traded with it and opened diplomatic relations in 1968.
Show the answer
Yes, it traded with it and opened diplomatic relations in 1968.
Trade came first: a Soviet trade agreement was signed in 1966. But Singapore stayed wary of Soviet naval power.
Singapore traded with the USSR and kept diplomatic ties, but it was wary of Soviet naval power and condemned Soviet-backed aggression.
Trade came first. In April 1966, less than a year after independence, a Soviet trade delegation signed a trade agreement with Singapore at the Economic Development Board. Singapore was openly anti-communist, yet it wanted markets wherever it could find them.
Singapore signed a trade agreement with the Soviet Union in April 1966 and established diplomatic relations in 1968. It traded with the USSR, and Soviet merchant, fishing and naval supply ships used Singapore's commercial port and repair yards.
This fitted Singapore's policy of being friends with all. Trade and access brought income, and ties with Moscow showed Singapore was not simply an American client. Lee also argued that several powers in the region, not one, would keep any single power from dominating it.
But Singapore set limits. It kept Soviet ships largely out of the sensitive former British naval base at Sembawang, which serviced British and American warships. It worried about the growing Soviet navy in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. After 1979 Soviet warships used Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam, bringing Soviet power closer.
When the USSR invaded Afghanistan in December 1979 and backed Vietnam's occupation of Cambodia, Singapore condemned both. It used the UN to defend the principle that small states should not be invaded. It also acted. In 1980 Singapore closed its port and dry docks to the Soviet navy, though it still repaired Soviet merchant and fishing ships. On 3 May 1980 the government advised the Singapore National Olympic Council not to send a team to the Moscow Olympics. It joined the US-led boycott, and 1980 is the only Summer Olympics Singapore has missed.
- Relations with the USSR
- Established 1968.
- Concern
- Growth of Soviet naval power.
- 1979
- Singapore condemns Afghanistan invasion and Vietnam's occupation of Cambodia.
- 1980 responses
- Port and dry docks closed to the Soviet navy; Moscow Olympics boycotted (decision of 3 May 1980).
Real examples to use
Trade agreement, April 1966
A Soviet trade delegation signed a trade agreement at the Economic Development Board, two years before diplomatic ties. Trade with a communist power served national interest.
Limits on the Soviet navy
Through the 1970s Soviet ships were largely kept out of the Sembawang naval base and used commercial yards. In 1980, after Afghanistan, Singapore closed its port and dry docks to the Soviet navy.
Moscow Olympics boycott, 1980
On 3 May 1980 the government advised the Singapore National Olympic Council not to compete. A cost to its own athletes, paid to oppose the invasion of a small state.
Worked example: Balancing in practice
How did Singapore balance its relations with the superpowers?
- With the USSR: diplomatic ties and trade, showing independence.
- With the USA: support for its presence as the main balance.
- Principle: opposing aggression by any power against small states.
- Result: pragmatic, interest-based relations with both.
Watch out for this
Singapore refused to have any relations with the USSR.
Singapore traded with the USSR under an April 1966 trade agreement and opened diplomatic relations in 1968. It opposed Soviet-backed aggression, not contact itself.
Check your understanding
Why did Singapore condemn Soviet actions in 1979?
- The USSR closed its embassy and cut trade with Singapore.
- The USSR threatened Singapore's shipping lanes.
- The USSR invaded Afghanistan and backed Vietnam's occupation of Cambodia.
Show the answer
The USSR invaded Afghanistan and backed Vietnam's occupation of Cambodia.
Right. Both violated the sovereignty of smaller states.