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 became independent in August 1965. What do you think was its biggest foreign policy concern?
- Joining a superpower military alliance as quickly as possible.
- Survival, as a tiny state with no resources or hinterland.
- Spreading anti-communist ideas across Southeast Asia.
Show the answer
Survival, as a tiny state with no resources or hinterland.
It relied on Malaysia for water and on British bases for jobs and defence. Britain's 1968 decision to pull out made this worse.
Singapore became independent in 1965 as a tiny state without resources, which made survival the core of its foreign policy.
Singapore separated from Malaysia and became independent on 9 August 1965. It had no hinterland, few natural resources and depended on water from Malaysia. Its population was mainly ethnic Chinese, in a region where its larger neighbours were Malay and Muslim.
Its security depended on Britain. British military bases provided a large share of its jobs and economic activity. In 1968 Britain announced it would withdraw most of its forces by 1971, a serious blow.
Singapore found a partial replacement in the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA). Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore agreed the terms in April 1971, and the FPDA came into force on 1 November 1971. If Malaysia or Singapore was attacked from outside, the five would consult at once on what to do. The FPDA was not a full alliance with a promise to fight. But it kept some Western forces linked to Singapore's defence while it built up its own armed forces.
The region was unstable. Indonesia's Konfrontasi had only just ended, the Vietnam War was escalating, and communist insurgencies were active in neighbouring countries.
Singapore's leaders, especially Lee Kuan Yew and Foreign Minister S. Rajaratnam, made survival the aim of foreign policy. They sought friends everywhere, a balance among the powers in the region, and a strong economy and defence force of their own.
Two early steps showed this. On 21 September 1965, six weeks after independence, Singapore joined the United Nations as its 117th member. The UN gave a small state a voice and a place where the rule against invading other countries could be defended. In 1970 Singapore joined the Non-Aligned Movement, a group of states that refused to join either Cold War bloc. Non-alignment did not mean Singapore had no views. It was openly anti-communist. It meant Singapore would not sign up as a client of the USA or the USSR, so it could deal with both.
- Independence
- 9 August 1965.
- British withdrawal
- Announced 1968; most forces gone by 1971.
- Foreign policy aim
- Survival through a balance of powers and friends everywhere.
- FPDA
- In force 1 November 1971: Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore consult if Malaysia or Singapore is attacked.
Real examples to use
UN membership, 21 September 1965
Singapore became the UN's 117th member six weeks after independence, giving a small state a voice and a forum to defend sovereignty.
Non-Aligned Movement, 1970
Singapore joined the bloc of states that refused to join either Cold War side, so it could trade and talk with Washington and Moscow.
FPDA, 1 November 1971
Replaced the old Anglo-Malaysian defence agreement as British forces left. A promise to consult, not to fight, which shows Singapore's need to build its own defence.
Worked example: National interests as a factor
How did vulnerability shape Singapore's foreign policy?
- Small size and no hinterland: needed trade and investment from everywhere.
- Ethnic make-up: had to reassure Malay neighbours and avoid looking like a "third China".
- British withdrawal: needed new security partners (the FPDA, 1971) and its own armed forces.
- Small-state voice: UN membership (1965) and non-alignment (1970) let it deal with every power.
- Result: a pragmatic policy aimed at survival.
Watch out for this
Singapore chose sides in the Cold War because of ideology.
Singapore was anti-communist at home. But its foreign policy was driven mainly by survival and national interest. That is why it dealt with all the powers.
Check your understanding
Why was Britain's 1968 withdrawal announcement a blow to Singapore?
- Britain wanted to push Singapore back into Malaysia.
- Britain had governed Singapore's defence and foreign policy until 1968 and would stop.
- British bases gave security and a large share of jobs and economic activity.
Show the answer
British bases gave security and a large share of jobs and economic activity.
Right. Singapore lost both protection and income.