Singapore · MOE Syllabus Outcomes
Secondary 2 History
Secondary 2 History: colonial Singapore, British rule, the diverse communities under colonial governance, and World War II including the Japanese Occupation in depth. Students examine the forces that shaped modern Singapore.
Foundations and Early Colonial Governance
The establishment of Singapore as a British port and the early administrative structures that defined its growth.
Analyse the strategic motivations and the legal complexities of the treaty with the Temenggong and Sultan Hussein.
The practical challenges of managing the early settlement and the friction between Raffles and Farquhar.
Examining the ethnic segregation and urban planning that shaped the modern city's layout.
The transition from a trading post to full British possession of the island.
The division of the Malay Archipelago into British and Dutch spheres of influence.
Singapore's administrative union with Penang and Malacca under the East India Company.
The 1867 transition to direct rule from London and the reasons behind the merchant class's petition.
Economic Transformation and Global Connectivity
How Singapore became a global trade hub through infrastructure and industrial changes.
The impact of the 1869 canal opening on Singapore's trade volume and strategic importance.
The introduction of Para rubber and the role of Henry Ridley in transforming the economy.
Singapore's role as a processing hub for Malayan tin.
The transition from sail to steam and the development of New Harbour (Keppel Harbour).
The establishment of international banks and the growth of the financial sector.
The impact of the undersea cable and the telegraph on business and governance.
The People of Colonial Singapore
Exploring the diverse social fabric, migration stories, and community organizations.
The harsh realities of Chinese indentured labour and the "piglet" trade.
The role of the Tiandihui and other societies in providing social welfare and causing unrest.
The contribution of Indian convicts to building Singapore's iconic infrastructure.
The unique hybrid culture of the Straits Chinese and their role as intermediaries.
The influence of minority merchant communities like the Alsagoffs and Sassoons.
The shifting status of the Malay community in the face of rapid urbanization.
The emergence of the Eurasian community and their professional roles.
From Samsui women to Mui Tsai, examining the female experience in a male-dominated settlement.
Social Issues and Colonial Responses
The darker side of colonial life: public health, crime, and the limits of British governance.
The struggle against cholera, malaria, and the plague in overcrowded urban areas.
The government's reliance on opium revenue versus the social cost of addiction.
The disparity between English-medium schools and vernacular education.
The rise of slums and the eventual creation of the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT).
The evolution of the police force from a small unit to a modern department.
The Road to Global Conflict
The rise of Japanese militarism and the strategic preparations for war.
The Meiji Restoration and Japan's quest for resources in Southeast Asia.
The construction of the Sembawang Naval Base and the "Fortress Singapore" myth.
How the conflict in China mobilized the Chinese community in Singapore.
Japanese spies in pre-war Singapore and the failure of British intelligence.
The Fall of Singapore
The military campaign that ended British rule in Southeast Asia.
The Japanese landing at Kota Bharu and the rapid advance down the peninsula.
The heroic stand of the Malay Regiment led by Lieutenant Adnan Saidi.
The negotiations between Percival and Yamashita on 15 February 1942.
The march to Changi and the start of the POW experience.
Syonan-to: The Occupation Years
Life under the Japanese military administration and the experience of total war.
The systematic screening and execution of Chinese civilians.
The teaching of Nippon-go and the "Greater East Asia" ideology in schools.
The collapse of the economy and the impact of "Banana Money."
Underground movements and the role of heroes like Lim Bo Seng.
The story of Elizabeth Choy and the Double Tenth incident.
Addressing the sensitive and tragic history of forced labour and sexual slavery.
The atomic bombs, the Japanese surrender, and the "Interregnum" period.
Post-War Rebirth and the Path to Self-Rule
The challenges of reconstruction and the birth of political consciousness.
Restoring order and the failures of the "Black Market Administration."
A turning point in understanding racial and religious sensitivities.
The formation of the Progressive Party and the Labour Front.
Student activism and the clash between the Chinese middle school students and the colonial government.
The 1955 reforms that paved the way for limited self-government.
Singapore's first Chief Minister and his fight for "Merdeka."
Labour unrest and the influence of pro-communist elements.
The successful negotiation for full internal self-government.
The victory of the People's Action Party and the birth of the State of Singapore.
Reflecting on what Singapore kept and what it rejected from the British era.
The 1957 Citizenship Ordinance and the definition of a "Singaporean."