[chpt 6] what did the people in singapore experience during the japanese occupation? Flashcards
what harsh punishments did people in singapore experience during japanese occupation?
- amputations and beheadings
- beatings
- torture (eg. removal of fingernails)
*beatings and torture for suspected anti-japanese activities
how were allied soldiers treated during the Japanese occupation?
allied soldiers
- imprisoned and subjected to forced labor at Changi > with inadequate food
civilians
- including women and children > were imprisoned
how did the japanese entice people to share information on anti-jap activities
they offered food and cash > encourage people to inform the authorities > anyone they suspected to be involved in anti-jap activities
how many allied soldiers were there
137,000
what were the allied soldiers called, and what did they have to do?
- prisoners of war
- march 21 km from padang to changi
what was the reason for the march
humiliate the mighty british > it was defeated by asian power
what was the Sook Ching massacre during the Japanese occupation?
the Sook Ching massacre involved the forced screening of Chinese residents > those identified as “anti-Japanese elements” were executed > resulting in the deaths of 50,000 to 100,000 people.
when did the sook ching massacre start, and how long did it last (estimated)
18 february 1942
it lasted for about 2 weeks
how did the Japanese coerce the Chinese business community during the occupation?
the Japanese extorted $50 million from the Chinese community in Singapore and Malaya > targeting them as a form of atonement for their “anti-Japanese activities.”
what did the japanese military establish to mediate between the authorities and local chinese community?
the overseas chinese association
*it was used with bad intentions in the end
when was the overseas chinese association established?
march 1942
how did the Japanese use propaganda during the occupation?
the Japanese controlled media
- radios
- newspapers
- cinemas
to promote their teaching and military might > portraying themselves as liberators > spreading biased information to convince locals to accept their vision
why was the chinese community targeted by the japanese?
the chinese businessmen in singapore had donated generous amounts to the china relief fund
when did the chinese community pay off their money to the japanese
on 25 june 1942, lim boon keng and 57 other leaders presented the $50million cheque to general yamashita
*they had been allowed to loan $22 million from the yokohama bank previously
how did the Japanese provide benefits to locals during the occupation?
the Japanese offered
- free schooling
- accommodation
- textbooks to 20,000 students in 1944
they also provided special treatment to certain ethnic groups > malays and indians
- less fortunate malays were distributed rice, sugar and salt for hari raya puasa
- charged lower fees than the chinese to cross the causeway
why did the japanese favour the malays?
the malay nationalist organisation had responded positively to japanese propaganda
how did the Japanese impose their culture in Singapore?
the Japanese
- introduced Japanese language education
- students had to bow to the picture of the japanese emperor before the day began
- they were taught to sing japanese folk songs
- encouraged the singing of the Japanese national anthem
- daily mass exercise which were broadcasted on public radios > instill discipline and loyalty
what were the shortages faced by Singaporeans during the Japanese occupation?
singaporeans experienced massive shortages of goods and services > disruptions in supply chains > hyperinflation.
how did rationing affect the lives of Singaporeans during the occupation?
rationing was enforced through various passes > causing prices of basic necessities to rise significantly > locals could only obtain limited amounts of food and essentials.
what was the black market during the Japanese occupation?
the black market emerged as a way for people to acquire goods amid supply disruptions
only strait dollars were accepted > the Japanese-issued banana notes had no value
how did disease and death increase during the Japanese occupation?
healthcare was not a priority > high number of disease cases (particularly among British prisoners of war) who were subjected to
- forced labor
- inadequate healthcare
what was the Japanese policy of encouraging relocation during the occupation?
the Japanese encouraged locals to relocate to other parts of Malaya (endau and bahau) > cultivate food staples
however, these efforts were often disrupted by resistance forces > proved unsuccessful.
what happened to the endau settlement?
proclaimed a great success as it was self-sufficient
however was unsuccessful > agricultural process was often disrupted by anti japanese resistance forces and bandits
what happened to the bahau settlement?
was for eurasians and chinese roman catholics
- the land was too hilly
- soil too poor to support agriculture
- some people even resorted to eating rats and maggots > many of them perished
how did leisure and entertainment continue during the Japanese occupation?
recreational activities persisted > only Japanese documentaries and propaganda films
japanese encouraged sports and cultural activities > reduce the stress of wartime conditions on local population
prisoners of war organized
- social
- religious
- sporting activities to maintain morale
what were some political impacts of the Japanese occupation in Singapore?
political opponents were not tolerated > term “Syonan-to” replaced “Singapore.”
how did the Japanese enforce Nipponization during the occupation?
the Japanese promoted the use of the Japanese language and culture > spread their influence.
how did Singaporeans live in fear during the Japanese occupation?
- harsh punishments
- executions
- presence of Japanese military forces > instilled fear among the population.
what economic impacts did Singaporeans face during the occupation?
- hyperinflation
- shortages
- disruption of the supply chain > economic hardships.
how did Singaporeans cope with the shortages of goods during the Japanese occupation?
many Singaporeans had to resort to
- bartering
- growing their own food
- relying on the black market to obtain essential goods.
what were the psychological effects of living under Japanese occupation?
many Singaporeans lived in constant fear and anxiety > the harsh rule and uncertainty of the times > psychological trauma for some.
how did the Japanese occupation affect family life in Singapore?
families were often separated > imprisonment or forced labor > disruptions in family structures and dynamics
what was the impact of hyperinflation on the daily lives of Singaporeans?
made it increasingly difficult for Singaporeans to afford basic necessities > their purchasing power diminished rapidly.
how did Singaporeans adapt to the rationing system imposed by the Japanese?
had to learn to
- make do with limited resources
- carefully manage their ration cards
to ensure their families had enough to eat
how did Singaporeans resist Japanese rule during the occupation?
some Singaporeans engaged in acts of resistance
- forming underground movements
- distributing anti-Japanese propaganda
- offering assistance to Allied forces.
what impact did the Japanese occupation have on education in Singapore?
while the Japanese provided free education > the curriculum was heavily influenced by Japanese propaganda > many educators faced pressure to conform to Japanese ideals
how did the Japanese occupation influence cultural practices and traditions in Singapore?
japanese cultural elements were introduced > incorporated into local customs > a blending of cultures
what were the long-term economic consequences of the Japanese occupation for Singapore?
disruption of the economy during the occupation > lasting effects on post-war reconstruction and economic development in Singapore
how did Singaporeans rebuild their lives and communities after the Japanese occupation ended?
singaporeans faced the challenges of
- rebuilding infrastructure
- reviving the economy
- restoring a sense of normalcy to their lives.
what role did social organizations and community support play during the Japanese occupation?
social organizations often played a crucial role > providing support and assistance to vulnerable populations during the occupation.
how did the experiences of different ethnic groups in Singapore vary during the Japanese occupation?
- some (chinese) facing discrimination
- others (malays and indians) receiving preferential treatment from the Japanese authorities.
what was the impact of the Japanese occupation on the healthcare system in Singapore?
healthcare system suffered during the occupation resulted in
- inadequate medical care
- increase in disease cases.
what were the two prominent resistance groups?
malayan people’s anti-japanese army (MPAJA) and force 136
