History: Chapter 6 Flashcards
When did the Japanese Occupation start and end in Singapore?
From 15 February 1942 to 12 September 1945.
What are some methods the Japanese used to establish control?
Using Force: Harsh punishments, imprisoning allied soldiers, Operation Sook Ching, coercing the Chinese business community.
Winning Loyalty: Propaganda, providing benefits to the locals, imposing Japanese Culture (teaching the language and cultivating Japanese spirit).
How did the Japanese establish control with harsh punishments?
Harsh punishments were imposed on criminals and the enemies of the Japanese. The Japanese executed those who were caught looting homes and displayed their heads in public. A Jap military group called the Kempeitai arrested any suspicious people and anti-Jap suspects were tortured until they revealed information that the Japs wanted. Some were imprisoned or executed.
These created fear and served as severe warnings.
How did the Japanese establish control with imprisoning allied soldiers?
The Japanese had plans to deal with the Allied troops in SG and imprisoned the British, Australians and Allied Europeans. The Allied prisoners were forced to march in public from Bukit Timah Road to Changi Prison. People passed them food and water, risking being punished. One of them was Elizabeth Choy.
How did the Japs establish control with Operation Sook Ching?
Operation Sook Ching was a brutal purge which eliminated anti-Jap elements among the local population. The Japanese targeted the Chinese as they were viewed as a potential threat to the rule due to facing strong resistance in 1937 when the Japs invaded China. The Japanese forced all Chinese men ageing from 18 to 50 to assemble at mass screening centres. They gathered those who did not pass the screening and killed an estimate of 25,000 to 50,000 people.
How did the Japs establish control by coercing the Chinese business community?
The Japs targeted the Chinese businessmen as they contributed generously to the China Relief Fund which supported China’s resistance against Japan. The Japanese had targeted the Overseas Chinese Association and demanded that they gift 50 million Straits dollars to them. This was to punish them for supporting the resistance.
How did the Japs establish control by using propaganda?
The Japanese used propaganda to win over the locals and gain their loyalty. The Japanese portrayed themselves as liberators who was there to free Asians from colonial rule. They also pressed that a united Asia would benefit from shared resources. They spread these messages through posters and radio broadcasts. They also tried to win the loyalty of the Indian community by promising to free India from the British. Hence the Indian National Army (INA) was created to fight the British in India and led by Subhas Chandra Bose. He was a well-knowjn politician and his charismatic presence attracted many new recruits.
How did the Japs establish control by providing benefits to the locals?
The Japanese provided benefits such as free schooling and accomodation. School textbooks were provided free of charge to 20,000 students. They also treated Malays less harshly due to the Union of Malay Youth responding positively to the Japanese rule. They distributed rice, sugar and salt to the less fortunate for Hari Raya Puasa. Malays and Indians were charged a lower fee to cross the Causeway.
How did the Japs establish control by imposing Japanese culture?
The Japanese taught the Japanese language in schools to replace English and published books for the learning of the Japanese language. The books also constantly praised the Japanese. Language lessons were also featured on newspapers, where awards, extra rations, salary increments and promotions were used to motivate them.
During morning assembly in schools, students had to sing the Jap national anthem and bow before a picture of the Japanese Emperor. They were taught Japanese folk songs. As for the locals, they had to do daily mass exercises broadcasted on public radio to promote fitness.
How were the shortages during JO?
The war disrupted trade which limited the import of goods into SG. There was a shortage of food and essential items. Food items such as rice, salt and sugar were strictly rationed during the first few weeks. The locals had ration coupons to obtain their limited food. The black market had also flourished and people had to pay high prices for basic necessities, hence there was drastic inflation.
How was there disease and death during JO?
130,000 deaths were recorded during the JO. The primary causes were beriberi, pneumonia and dysentery. People were also weakened from food shortages. POWs and civilian prisoners faced continual shortages or food and medicine as well as overcrowding. Poor living conditions led to poor hygiene and spread of diseases. The Japanese had used the POWs to build Japanese memorial shrines, clear war damage and bury the dead. Some were sent to build the Siam-Burma Railway where 16,000 died under horrific living conditions.
Why did the Japanese relocate people?
The Japanese relocated people from Singapore to increase agricultural output. The Chinese were encourage to move to the Endau settlement in Johor. The settlement was a great success as it was self-sufficient with great soil and water supply. However, it was disrupted by anti-Japanese guerilla groups. The Japs then created the Bahau settlement for Eurasians however the soil was too poor and land too hilly. Hence many people died due to lack of decent food, and some had to eat rats and maggots.
What leisure and entertainment did the Japs provide the locals?
The Japs allowed some leisure activities to continue to maintain the appearance of a happy society. They had radio programmes with Jap and Malay music as well as news. There were Japanese movie screenings and they encouraged sports to reduce the wartime stress. There were even boxing matches and the police band performed at the Botanic Gardens. The POWs tried to keep their spirits up by participating in social activities.
Collaboration of the locals with the Japs
The Maps sought the assistance of the Malays, who policed neighbourhoods and report suspected hostile activity. Some enlisted to assist the Japanese into establishing authority. Some Chinese became informants for the Kempeitai and rooted out the anti-Japanese.
Resistance of the locals with the Japs
Seven senior officers of the Malay Regiment refused to conform and we subsequently executed. Others joined resistance forces such as Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) and Force 136. MPAJA carried out sabotage attacks whenever they had a chance. They also aroused anti-pap sentiments by distributing anti-pap newspapers and posters. Force 136 would gather information and also organised sabotages. Lim Bo Seng organised activities to boycott them and helped fight against them through guerrilla tactics. Elizabeth Choy worked as a canteen operator with her husband and secretly delivered food, money, medicine etc to British POWs.
