Chapter 6 Flashcards
How did the japanese establish control over singapore?
ANS: Meeting out harsh punishments
POINT: The Japanese Occupation of Singapore during World War II was marked by inflicting harsh punishments on perceived enemies and criminals, creating an atmosphere of fear and compliance.
ELABORATE: The Kempeitai, Japan’s military police force, was notorious for arresting and punishing those suspected of being anti-Japanese. Public executions were carried out to deter looting, with victims’ heads displayed in prominent locations like the open area outside the Cathay Building and on bridges across the Singapore River as a stark warning.
EXAMPLE: In response to suspected anti-Japanese activities, individuals were subjected to beatings, torture, imprisonment, or execution, instilling a climate of fear and silence.
LINK: As a result, many people learned to conduct themselves cautiously, avoiding any actions that might attract the attention of Japanese authorities, highlighting the oppressive nature of the Japanese Occupation.
How did the japanese establish control over singapore?
ANS: Imprisoning Allied Soldiers
POINT: When the Japanese took over Singapore, they locked up British, Australian, and other European people, even women and kids.
ELABORATE: These prisoners were made to march in front of everyone from Bukit Timah Road to Changi Prison and nearby barracks, where they’d be kept. This was done to show off and make people afraid, so nobody would dare go against the Japanese.
EXAMPLE: By doing this, the Japanese wanted to make it clear they were in control and to scare everyone into obeying them.
LINK: As a result, these actions demonstrate the Japanese strategy of instilling fear to ensure compliance from both Allied troops and the local population during the occupation of Singapore.
How did the japanese gain the support of the locals?
ANS: The Indian Community
POINT: To gain favor with the Indian community in Singapore, the Japanese used propaganda and promised to support India’s liberation from British rule.
ELABORATE: Recognizing anti-British sentiments among some Indian immigrants, the Japanese established the Indian National Army (INA) with Japanese backing. Led by Subhas Chandra Bose, a prominent advocate for India’s independence, the INA attracted numerous recruits. However, those loyal to the British were imprisoned.
EXAMPLE: By aiding the formation of the INA, the Japanese secured the support of a portion of the Indian community in their quest to overthrow British rule in India.
LINK: As a result, the Japanese were able to win over the support of a portion of the Indian community by aiding them in setting up an army to overthrow the British in India.
How did the japanese gain the support of the locals?
ANS: The Malay Community
POINT: The Japanese aimed to secure the support of the Malay community in Singapore by offering them various benefits, including free schooling and accommodation.
ELABORATE: Responding to Japanese propaganda promising improved lives under Asian rule, the Malay nationalist organization Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM) reacted positively. This led to more favorable treatment of Malays by the Japanese.
EXAMPLE: The Japanese distributed essential supplies during Hari Raya Puasa, charged lower fees than for the Chinese to cross the Causeway, and provided free textbooks to thousands of Malay students.
LINK: As a result, these benefits swayed a portion of the Malay community to support the Japanese occupation in Singapore.
How did the japanese gain the support of the locals?
ANS: Imposing Japanese Culture
POINT: The Japanese aimed to gain loyalty among the locals in Singapore by promoting Japanese culture and values as a model for imitation.
ELABORATE: The Japanese authorities imposed the learning of the Japanese language and culture on both students and adults, intending to instill the “Japanese spirit” in the Singaporean population.
EXAMPLE: School curricula included the study of Japanese language and culture. Adults were also required to attend classes to learn about Japanese customs and values.
LINK: This cultural immersion was part of the Japanese strategy to win the loyalty of the people under their occupation.
What was daily life like under the japanese?
ANS: Dealing with Shortages
POINT: The Japanese Occupation disrupted trade, causing food and essential item shortages.
ELABORATE: Rationing of rice, salt, and sugar was enforced, leading to inflation. The black market became vital, and the Japanese printed more money, devaluing banana notes.
EXAMPLE: Banana notes became essentially worthless due to hyperinflation by the occupation’s end.
LINK: The scarcity of essentials, hyperinflation, and the reliance on the black market created immense hardships for the people during the Japanese Occupation, affecting their daily lives significantly.
What was daily life like under the japanese?
ANS: Disease & Death
POINT: Healthcare and sanitation deteriorated during the Japanese Occupation, leading to food shortages and a substantial increase in deaths.
ELABORATE: Overcrowding, insufficient food and medicine, and poor hygiene in POW camps and among civilian prisoners contributed to harsh conditions. Forced labor, like work on the Siam- Burma Railway, resulted in around 16,000 POW deaths and the spread of diseases, impacting local living standards.
EXAMPLE: The death toll during the occupation exceeded 130,000, more than double the previous three years, highlighting the severity of the situation.
LINK: Deteriorating healthcare and sanitation created horrible circumstances, affecting both prisoners of war and the local population during the Japanese Occupation.
What was daily life like under the japanese?
ANS: Relocations
POINT: The Japanese government’s response to food shortages during the Occupation included relocating people to rural areas to encourage agricultural production.
ELABORATE: Mamoru Shinozaki, a Japanese official, oversaw resettlement projects. The Chinese were relocated to Endau in Johor, where amenities like hospitals were available. However, the Bahau settlement in Negeri Sembilan had poor soil, resulting in desperate measures such as consuming rats and maggots.
EXAMPLE: The differing outcomes in Endau and Bahau illustrated the varying success of these resettlement efforts.
LINK: The government’s relocation strategy aimed to address food scarcity but had mixed results, impacting the affected populations differently during the Japanese Occupation.
What were the problems faced by the people of Singapore immediately after the Japanese surrender?
ANS: Food Shortages
POINT: The problem faced by the people of Singapore immediately after the Japanese surrender was the shortage of food.
ELABORATE: This shortage was caused by wartime and post-war disruptions of production and shipping, which made it difficult for rice-producing countries like Thailand to produce enough rice to sell overseas. Additionally, a large number of merchant ships were destroyed during the war, making it difficult for the limited supply of rice to reach Singapore.
EXAMPLE: The situation was further compounded by the blockage of the harbour due to sunken ships, and the scarcity of available warehouses for storage.
LINK: The British Military Administration (BMA) gradually addressed the issue by clearing the harbour to allow ships to enter and by controlling the prices of essential supplies like sugar, salt, fresh fish, and vegetables. The BMA also provided free meals for children under six years old.
What were the problems faced by the people of Singapore immediately after the Japanese surrender?
ANS: Schooling Disruptions
POINT: One of the problems faced by the people of Singapore immediately after the Japanese surrender was the disruption of schooling.
ELABORATE: The war had caused significant disruptions to the education system in Singapore, despite the promises made by the Japanese of providing greater educational opportunities. As a result, many children were unable to attend school during the Japanese Occupation.
EXAMPLE: To address this issue, the British Military Administration (BMA) reopened schools quickly in October 1945, catering to children of schooling age as well as overaged children who had received little education during the Japanese Occupation. Additionally, the BMA provided grants and waived school fees for children from needy families.
LINK: The BMA’s efforts to ensure the continuation of education in Singapore were successful, with 62,000 students enrolled in schools by March 1946.
How did the Locals respond to Japanese Rule?
ANS: Collaboration
POINT: During Japanese rule, the Japanese sought collaboration from locals, including Malays who took on roles in policing and neighborhood associations. Some Chinese also became informants for the Japanese military police, the Kempeitai.
ELABORATE: Malays were involved in maintaining order and reporting potential threats, aiding the Japanese in establishing control. Chinese individuals, particularly during Operation Sook Ching, served as informants to identify those perceived as anti-Japanese.
EXAMPLE: These collaborative efforts illustrate how locals engaged with Japanese rule by participating in roles that supported the Japanese administration.
LINK: The local population responded to Japanese rule through collaboration, with Malays and some Chinese assisting in various capacities, contributing to the Japanese authorities’ efforts in maintaining control.
How did the Locals respond to Japanese Rule?
ANS: Resistance
POINT: The locals responded to Japanese rule through acts of resistance, including joining groups like the Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) and Force 136, and notable individuals like Lim Bo Seng and Elizabeth Choy.
ELABORATE: Some individuals and groups refused to cooperate with the Japanese. For instance, seven senior officers of the Malay Regiment were executed for not pledging loyalty. The MPAJA and Force 136 conducted sabotage and anti-Japanese propaganda, rallying locals against the occupiers.
EXAMPLE: Lim Bo Seng, a local businessman, joined the resistance and was captured but didn’t
reveal information. Elizabeth Choy, a canteen operator, secretly aided British POWs and endured
torture without implicating her captors.
LINK: These acts of defiance and courage reflect how the locals responded to Japanese rule with
resistance, both collectively and individually, despite the riskstheyfaced.
