Changes

At the outbreak of [[World War II]], Singapore was regarded as a well-defended base for the Allies in the Far-East.  However, on February 15, 1942 Singapore fell to the [[Japanese]] after six-days of fighting. The occupation of the next three and a half years was brutal with many atrocities and war-crimes being committed. The island was renamed Syonan (Light of the South) until the defeat of Japan.  The occupying forces formally surrendered to the British at the Changi prison-camp in September 1945.

At the outbreak of [[World War II]], Singapore was regarded as a well-defended base for the Allies in the Far-East.  However, on February 15, 1942 Singapore fell to the [[Japanese]] after six-days of fighting. The occupation of the next three and a half years was brutal with many atrocities and war-crimes being committed. The island was renamed Syonan (Light of the South) until the defeat of Japan.  The occupying forces formally surrendered to the British at the Changi prison-camp in September 1945.

In 1946, Singapore became a British Crown Colony. However, the communist insurgency in Malaya of 1948 put Singapore in a state of emergency for 12 years. There was a rise of nationalism during the 1950s as the merchant classes wanted to have a say in government and in 1959 Singapore was granted self-government under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew. In 1963 Singapore merged with Federated Malaya and the Borneo states of Sarawak and North Borneo (Sabah) to create Malaysia.  The third Borneo state of Brunei opted for independence.  This merger was actively opposed by the neighbouring states of Indonesia and the Philippines.  The union did not last long, owing to ideological differences between Lee Kuan Yee's PAP (People's Action Party) and the federal government in Kuala Lumpur.  Singapore was obliged to withdraw and became a sovereign, independent nation on August 9, 1965.

In 1946, Singapore became a British Crown Colony. However, the communist insurgency in Malaya of 1948 put Singapore in a state of emergency for 12 years. There was a rise of nationalism during the 1950s as the merchant classes wanted to have a say in government and in 1959 Singapore was granted self-government under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew. In 1963 Singapore merged with [[Federation of Malaya|Federated Malaya]] and the Borneo states of Sarawak and North Borneo (Sabah) to create Malaysia.  The third Borneo state of Brunei opted for independence.  This merger was actively opposed by the neighbouring states of Indonesia and the Philippines.  The union did not last long, owing to ideological differences between Lee Kuan Yee's PAP (People's Action Party) and the federal government in Kuala Lumpur.  Singapore was obliged to withdraw and became a sovereign, independent nation on August 9, 1965.

With only a small land mass and limited natural resources Singapore was forced to industrialize and develop its technical prowess alongside its trading role. Government policies emphasized the role of education, especially in computer science.

With only a small land mass and limited natural resources Singapore was forced to industrialize and develop its technical prowess alongside its trading role. Government policies emphasized the role of education, especially in computer science.