Chapter 6: How did World War II affect Singapore?

-After World War I, Britain was financially drained and could no longer maintain a
strong naval presence (Infer: they use to have strong and power navy force before
World War I) in the Far East (The countries in Eastern Asia: China, Cambodia,
Japan). Britain needed all its warships to remain in Europe. However, Britain saw
the need to defend its empire in the Far East as Japan was building a powerful
navy. (Infer: British felt very threatened over the growing power of the Japanese
and British themselves were decreasing in power as they were in the doom,
recovering from financial and manpower loss in the war) (Japanese were waiting
for this moment to come; take over South East Asia for natural resources)
-By 1938, British had built a naval base in Singapore to protect the East. (Infer: It's
because of the SG's geographically ideal location in the Malaya)
-In 1937, Japan invaded China. So USA cut off oil supply to Japanese. (Infer: That's
why Japan invaded to access SEA's rich natural resources esp, oil)
-Germany, Italy and Japan signed a treaty of friendship. Germany wanted to take
over Europe and Japan wanted to take over SEA and Pacific regions.
-To win a war, it's not only about having the best weapons, it's also important to
take on great strategies and methods like Japanese use bicycle as a transportation
in Malaya.






Chapter 6: 3 challenges faced by the people in Singapore after the end of the
Japanese Occupation (Return of the British Military Administration; BMA)
Possible Question: What is the most urgent problem after Japanese Occupation?
What is the most serious challenge faced by the local after Japanese Occupation?
What hindered the prosperities of Singapore after the Japanese Occupation?
Post War Problem 1: Shortage of Food(the most urgent problem)
Rice producing countries such as Malaya, Vietnam, Thailand had no extra rice to
sell thus, very little rice were left in the warehouses. War has destroyed the
merchant ships. Sunken ships blocked the harbor, creating the severe shortage of
food where food are only available at illegal black market at high price.
Inference: People need food to survive. Since people has no food to eat, they
have no energy or they will starve to death. Thus, this hindered the re-
establishment of Singapore as SG was short of manpower in rebuilding SG.
Moreover, people could not support their family.
Since the trade routes were interrupted by the shipwrecks, trading ships carrying
goods for people of Singapore could not reach to SG. This also effects the traders
in SG because they had to supplies to sell the people. Soon enough, they run out
of business. This hindered the re-building the prosperous Singapore again.
Post War Problem 2: Disruption of water, electricity and telephone services
Water shortage was mainly caused by the faulty supply pipes. Street were dirty
and unsafe at night due to the lack of lightings. Gas, electricity and telephones
services were disrupted .
Inference: Living conditions in Singapore was very hygienic at that time and
unsuitable for living. People had no clean water for consumption, facilities
necessary for daily living were unavailable, unhygienic thus SG was not
popular/fail to attract new immigrants and traders to come and trade. Thus, SG
failed to prosper.
Post War Problem 3: Shortage of Housing
Many houses were destroyed during the war resulting the rapid rise in rentals.
Those who could not afford squeezed into small, overcrowded cubicles and
squatters. In 1947, many still lived in overcrowded rooms and cubicles.
Inference: Standard living conditions in SG dropped. There were not even enough
places for locals to stay. Homeless people lived on the streets, creating the
unsightly views thus unable to attract more immigrants.
No houses meant one's properties could be easily stolen, creating the increase in
crime rates and unsafe for living. It also mean that people could not settle down
before searching for works.