7 post war challenges Flashcards
Food shortages
After the war, food shortages continued to be a severe problem due to disruptions in production and shipping. Rice-producing countries like Thailand could not produce enough rice for export, and the destruction of merchant ships during the war created a shortage of ships to transport food supplies. Additionally, Singapore’s harbour was blocked by sunken ships, and wartime bombings had destroyed many warehouses, causing insufficient storage capacity for incoming supplies. To address this, the British Military Administration (BMA), governing Singapore and Malaya until civilian rule returned, took several measures. These included clearing the harbour for ships, repairing docks, building new warehouses, and controlling prices of essential supplies like fresh fish, vegetables, salt, and sugar. They also provided free meals for children under six years old and opened People’s Restaurants to sell food at affordable prices. Explanation: Despite the BMA’s efforts, food shortages persisted, impacting the livelihoods of locals as essential goods remained scarce.
Post-war Situation
War had disrupted shipping
Rice-producing countries were unable to produce enough rice to export to Singapore
Wartime food rationing continued
People’s wages could not keep up with the prices of food
Led to widespread malnutrition, especially among children
BMA Response
Controlled the prices of essential supplies
Provided free meals to children under six
People’s restaurant set up to provide affordable meals
Effectiveness
While the British were able to provide food to thousands everyday, the amount of food provided was still insufficient to meet demand
Food shortages continued due to disruptions in trade and shipping caused by the war, insufficient rice supplies from neighboring countries, and a growing population. The British established People’s Restaurants to provide affordable meals to the population, addressing some malnutrition and rationing issues.
Economic difficulties
The BMA faced challenges restoring Singapore’s economy after the war. One significant issue was the declaration that banana notes, which were used during the Japanese Occupation, were no longer legal currency. Locals who had relied on banana notes and did not keep Straits dollars (the pre-war currency) were left without any legal tender. As a result, many had to borrow money just to survive. The BMA responded by offering special grants to affected families, but this was insufficient for many, as they still found it difficult to support their families due to the ongoing economic hardships. Explanation: While the BMA provided some financial relief, the elimination of banana notes left many locals in financial distress, struggling to rebuild their lives in a post-war economy.
Post-war Situation
Banana notes were declared to no longer be the official currency of Singapore
This meant that those who had not kept the Straits dollar no longer had enough to survive
BMA Response + Effectiveness
Issued special grants to locals, but they were often not sufficient for large families to make ends meet
Economic Difficulties
Post-war Situation
The port and ships had been damaged during the war, blocking the harbour and making it unusable
Few warehouses were available for storage of goodsBMA Response
Repaired the ports as it was crucial to revive trade – This would create jobs and generate revenue for the government to continue developing Singapore
Effectiveness
Largely effective - Quick repair of the ports allowed Singapore to benefit from the growing demand of tin and rubber worldwide in the post-war years
By 1948, the volume of trade surpassed pre-war levels
Economic recovery was crucial for improving lives and gaining local support. The British focused on repairing ports to restore Singapore’s status as a leading trading port. Increased trade volume and demand for tin and rubber helped the economy recover and surpass pre-war levels. Entrepot trade remained important as Singapore processed and exported raw materials from Malaya and Indonesia, contributing to the recovery.
British Military Administration?
The British Military Administration (BMA) was established and took over the administration of Singapore and Malaya from 5 September 1945 to 31 March 1946
The BMA aimed to maintain law and order and help with reconstructing Singapore in the years after the war
Schooling disruptions
Post-war Situation
Many students had their education disrupted during the Japanese Occupation
Shortage of teaching materials and facilities
BMA Response + Effectiveness
Reopened schools quickly in October 1945 for students of schooling age as well as overaged children
Provided grants and waived school fees for children from needy families
Largely effective – By 1946, 62,000 students were enrolled in schools
Housing shortages
Post-War Situation
During the war, many houses were destroyed or became run-down
Many people ended up living in slums and increasingly overcrowded conditions
This became especially pressing as a result of the post-war baby boom
BMA Response + Effectiveness
The Singapore Improvement Trust accelerated its building programme
Largely ineffective: Although the SIT built over 20,000 new housing and shop units between 1947-1959, it was still unable to meet the growing needs of the population and housing continued to be cramped throughout the 1950s
Housing shortages persisted after WWII due to destruction and deterioration during the war and a post-war baby boom. The Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) was tasked with addressing this issue. Between 1947 and 1959, SIT built about 21,000 housing and shop units, but this did not fully meet the demand for housing.
Post-War Baby Boom
All these problems were made more severe by…
A baby boom is a period marked by a substantial increase in birth rate
In 1946, Singapore saw 38,654 live births – This was 58% higher than in 1945
The post-war baby boom continued for nearly two decades
Why do you think the baby boom would have made all the post-war problems more severe?
Industrial Unrest
In response to the difficult living and working conditions workers faced, thousands went on strikes
Many strikes were organized by trade unions
Between 1945 and 1947, the Singapore Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) organized 119 strikes affecting most sectors of the economy
1947, Year of Strikes: In 1947 alone, there were over 300 strikes involving almost 70,000 workers, some of which lasted for weeks
What are trade unions? What are their goals?
A trade union is an association of workers in a particular trade, industry, or company created for the purpose of securing improvements in pay, benefits, working conditions, or social and political status through collective bargaining.
British Response + Effectiveness
The British government saw trade unions as hotbeds of anti-colonial sentiments
Laws were eventually passed to control the trade union
From 1947, all trade unions had to register with the government and unions were no longer allowed to use funds to organize strikes and protests against the government
But this did not stop trade unions as they continued to be active into the 1950s-60s
Post-war years saw a rise in strikes due to poor working conditions and dissatisfaction with food and housing shortages. 1947, known as ‘The Year of Strikes,’ experienced over 300 strikes involving almost 70,000 workers. The British government passed laws to control trade unions, mandating registration and prohibiting the use of union funds for organizing strikes. Despite these measures, industrial unrest continued.
