Singapore's independence was accidental

• They were kicked out by the new Malaysian states on 9th August 1965 due to racial tensions. The majority of Singapore was ethnically Chinese.
• Independence began as a crisis.
• How did they survive the early days?

Education among the British colonies

• LKY recalls a shared camaraderie between people who grew up in the higher education system in the British colonies.
• Encountering racial tensions during university between the ethnic Malays and the more recent Chinese and Indians had an impact on LKY.

Japanese occupation of Singapore

• It was brutal and cruel, with reported massacres. The local population had to make do with the Japanese occupation until the liberation.

Educated in England

• LKY remembers fondly his education in London and Cambridge, where his wife also joined him.

Struggle with Communism

• LKY founded the PAP (People's Action Party) along with others, and competed with pro communist groups to gain political power among the educated Chinese students, workers, and trade unions.