This textbook was published in 1956, at a time when Singapore and the Federation of Malaya were seeking independence from the British. Singapore had been granted partial self-government under the Rendel Constitution in 1955, and this was followed by a series of three constitutional talks - also known as the Merdeka Talks - in London over the next few years, which resulted in Singapore attaining full self government in 1959. The Federation of Malaya, on the other hand, became fully independent from the British on 31 August 1957. This textbook was written from a Malayan perspective, providing an insight into the history of Singapore and Malaya.
