Aspirations people had for Singapore after 1945 By embellished Period: 1946 to 1959 Constitutional changes in Singapore Aug 15, 1947 India gained independence from British colonial rulers Aug 25, 1947 Singapore Progressive Party formed 1948 Emergency in Malaya & Singapore 1948 Limited elections introduced Dec 27, 1949 Indonesia gained independence from Dutch colonial rulers 1954 Vietnam gained independence from French colonial masters 1954 People's Action Party (PAP) formed 1954 Labour Front (LF) formed Feb 11, 1954 Battle of Bukit Timah May 13, 1954 Chinese Middle School students demonstration against National Service National Service was a policy introduced by the British colonial government. 1955 Election Apr 23, 1955 Hock Lee Bus Riot 1956 Merdeka Week launched by LF Merdeka talks by David Marshall (to negotiate for internal self-government) 1957 Medeka Talks by Lim Yew Hock Secured internal self-government 1959 Proposal for merger 1961 Opposition to merger, Barisan Socialis formed 1961 'The Battle for Merger' - PAP's and Barisan Socialis' Campaign 1962 Referendum - people's decision for merger 1963 Policy of Konfrontasi by Indonesia (external opposition to merger) 1963 PAP won elections, Singapore entered Federation of Malaysia 1964 Racial Riot (problems faced during merger) 1964 Federal Election Aug 9, 1965 Separation from the Federation of Malaysia