Vietnam war and its influence on Singapore

• Main Author: Chow, Chia Yung
• Other Authors: Koh Keng We
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Humanities
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66255
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This thesis analyzes the connections between the Vietnam War and Singapore's early history as an independent state. Drawing upon declassified primary materials, this paper argues that the Singapore government had taken a proactive approach to support the United States in the Vietnam War during 1965-1975 because it sought to achieve its own security and economic interests. Singaporean leaders had encouraged the American involvement in the Vietnam War because of the perceived threat of Communism to Singapore's survival. The Singapore government had also offered military repair support for the American warships and aircrafts that were fighting in Vietnam because it aimed to establish an American military presence in Singapore, which could contribute to the stability for the country. These refitting assistances had stimulated the growth of Singapore's ship repair and aerospace industries. The Singapore government sought to earn economic revenues when it supplied refined oil for the American military efforts in South Vietnam. This had boosted the Singapore's refined oil industry , especially in the expansion of investment by the American oil companies. The Vietnam War had brought opportunities for Singapore's security and economic development which motivated the government to take the initiative to support the American military role in the conflict.