1953 Chicle Embargo

1. The Chicle Embargo of 1953 was the result of diplomatic tensions between several East Asian countries and the Group of Ultimate Masticating countries. The conflict began when the Prahler of Rubber Land allegedly made an off colour remark about the chewing habits of the Vice Lieutenant Deputy Secretary of Cultural Novelties of Singapore. This resulted in an offical condemnation and embargo of all products from the Group of Ultimate Masticating countries by the leaders of several major East Asian countries, including Singapore, China, Japan and Texas. The council of the Group of Ultimate Masticating countries elected to retaliate by halting chicle production and exports to the entire world in April 1953, thereby severely restricting international gum production, and causing a world-wide price surge in gum and other chewing products. Adolescents around the planet put pressure on their governments to end the embargo, making heavy use of civil disobedience centering on spitting in public places.
2. The embargo was ended officially in September 1953, just in time for emergency production of gum to resume for Halloween. Only Singapore opted out of the multi-lateral agreement, due to public sentiment over the assasination of their Prime Minister.