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Sec 2 History (Term 1), Japanese Occupation (Term 2), Life after the JO,…

- - - - The US had "gunboat diplomacy", and arrived in japan in 1853 to open markets. They had modern warships and ships, unlike Japan which had a basic military. They forced Japan to sign treaties to open trade with the west.
    - - Japan saw how advance the US was ahead of them, they started industrialization, made the army more advance, and added compulsary army concript.
      - Set up systems to learn from the west:
        -Iwakura Mission
        -Creation of mordern universities
        Advanced its navy
    - - Japan was very closed, only a few ports allowed trade,
  - - - Treaty of Shimonoseki
        
        China recognizes definitively the full and complete independence and autonomy of Korea, which is under the influence of Japan
        
        China cedes to Japan in perpetuity and full sovereignty of the Pescadores group, Formosa (Taiwan) and the eastern portion of the bay of Liaodong Peninsula (Dalian)
        
        China agrees to pay to Japan as a war indemnity (The great powers like Russia, UK and France forced Japan to withdraw this)
        
        China is to grant Japan most favoured nation status for foreign trade (no taxes), and has to open several cities to Japnease trade.
        
        Forced Japan to move out of the Liaodong Peninsula, which Russia took
    - - Japan defeated Russia, which was at that time a European Great Power
      - Gave Japanese the confidence for further aggression, as it proved Japan's millitary strength.
      - Treaty of Portsmouth:
        -Gave Port Arthur and the Liaodong Peninsula to the Japanese (Which it took from Japan after Sino-Japanease War)
        -Russia recognised Korea as part of the sphere of influence of Japan
- - - - Japan relied on international trade to grow its economy
      - Western countries imposed a tariff on all foreign goods to protect their own businesses
      - Demand for Japanese exports fell
        
        Japan’s export-oriented economy suffered
      - People became unhappy with the civilian government
        
        Believed that the military could secure access to resources and new markets for Japanese goods
  - - - Development of the Kwantung army
      - Assassinations by the Japanese military:
        -Chinese nationalists
        -Japanese moderate politicians
      - Invasion of Manchuria
  - - - Led to frequent assasinations of prime ministers
        
        Led to a increasing military oriented government
  - - - Attacked other countries:
        
        Due to having little resources because of little trade during the great depression:
        
        -Invaded the Chinese mainland-Marco Polo Bridge Incident
        
        Led to the US imposing sanctions on Japan and warning Japan to step down
        
        Then invaded indo-china after the US told it to step down
        
        US inposes new embargo on raw materials such as scrap metal, oil, and aviation fuel, leaving Japan with 6 months of supply left
        
        Due to the US sanctions and embargo, Japan launched an attack on pearl habour so it was free to invade the rest of South-East Asia
        
        It wanted to invade South-East Asia as it was rich in oil and materials needed due to the sanctions.
    - - At the same time, the people of Japan felt that the millitary could invade other countries to bring materials and wealth, which the goverment could not achieve
        
        Hence the military was allowed to launch military invasions/attacks against other countries.
- - - - Singapore was considered "Inpregenetable" by the British, who felt that the island could defend itself.
  - - - Bunkers were build in fort canning, sambawang and laberdor.
  - - - Total of 88600 soliders
- - - - They had achieved permission from the Thailand king to use Thailand as a landing site in return for not attacking Thailand
        
        They managed to inflict heavy casualties on the British in Malaya which resulted in the Malayan troops retreating back to Singapore
  - - - Allowed the Japanease to see the entire island.
    - - Resulted in the General stationed in Singapore, Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival to move many troops to the North East
    - - The northern coast was majorly undefended with barbed wire which would slow down the Japanease advancement
        
        There were little troops stationed on the Norht West of Singapore, which allowed the Japanease to advance fast and gain a foothold in Singapore
    - - The 2 battle ships earlier send to Singapore were obselete during the war because they were spotted and sunk by Japanease planes before the invasion.
        
        There were only 166 planes stationed in singapore compared the the requested 500, and many of the planes were unfit for service
  - - - The british were under-prepared although they had plenty of time to lay defenses (no defense on the north coast)
      - The british had a lack of equipment and outdated technology :
        
        They had older planes and lesser tanks then the japanease
      - The british leadership was poor with the general having not commanded a war before
        
        He approved a early surrender although the british prrime minister wanted every last person fighting
      - The british war tactics were inadequate and depended too heavily on the island defending itself of extended durations of time which it was incapable of.
        
        The stratergy were to defend the island using planes and soliders as they outnumbered the Japanease, but the airfields were soon destroyed and the British never send more ships
      - The british morale were low, and since many soldiers were not fighting to defend their home, they surrendered after a few casualties.
        
        They were overconfident in their defenses and thought the island was inpregegable.
    - - They had high morale
  - - - The british had outdated planes and low morale
        
        Many soldiers were not actually defending their home, hence gave in after a while of fighting
        
        The commander did not want to have even more deaths and hence ordered a retreat/surrender
- - - - The police would do regular check or follow people around if suspected
      - Prominent figures in the community would be handpicked to keep watch over the neighbourhood. They were appointed by the police. Chain of hierarchy - one star men to three star men.
      - People would have the mentality that if they did not report their neighbours first, their neighbours will report them eventually
        
        Led people to rush to give information, even if false
      - The fear of not knowing who to trust caused many people to support Japanese to save their own skin
        
        Because of the fear of the punishments, The locals did not want to interfere with Japanese operations
  - - - Mass executions at beaches
        
        During the JO, there was operation Sook Ching, which led many chinese people to get killed by the beaches
        
        This was done often without full proof of the victim being guilty
        
        More then 1000 people killed
        
        People were just taken away and never heard of again
      - Forced labour
        
        Many Europeans were forced to work, often under harsh conditions and wide spread disease
      - Torture
        
        People with information were often tortured for months for the information
        
        Some people were tortured for being pro british/west
    - - Use of power and brute force to enforce change eg. execution
      - Creates an atmosphere of fear and dread eg. Sook Ching
- - - - People good at learning the language were send to work as teachers or propaganda people
  - - - Needed to employ locals to help translate/write
- - - - People had to queue for hours for food
      - Families with large amounts of household members managed to get more food as they could queue at more places
    - - Food became a currency - used as an exchange tool.
        
        People started to hoard it
    - - Led to sellers only being able to sell at prices lower then what they could earn on the black market
        
        People started to buy from black market instead
  - - - Many goods prices skyrocketed throughout the war
        
        By the end of the war, the currency was almost worthless
- - - - Malay sultans came to pay respects to the Japanese generals in the aftermath of British surrender to the Japanese
        
        Gave the Japanese the impression that Malays were on the side of the Japanese
      - The Japanese were interested in the Malay community when Abdul Ghani, the private secretary of the Sultan of Terengganu went to Japan to teach Malay at a Japanese University for 11 years.
        
        This gave the impression that the Malays were interested in Japanese culture - respect for Japanese culture
    - - Still made to bow to the emperor (against their customs)
  - - - Deemed to be the biggest threat to Japanese rule in Singapore as their homeland were invaded by the Japanese.
      - Treated harshly as they were seen as a potential threat to Japanese rule due to SG’s Chinese community calling for a boycott of Japanese goods and contributing funds to China’s war effort against Japan during the Sino-Japanese War in 1937.
        
        Chinese businessmen based in SG regularly donated to the war effort back in China to resist the Japanese
  - - - Seen as allies in the fight against the British - common goals, common enemy - translated to unity.
    - - Indian freedom fighters or nationalist movements such as Indian National Army collaborated with the Japanese in plans to attack India.
  - - - This was done to humiliate them and change the locals’ impression of the Europeans.
- - - - There was a shortage of houses while there was a baby boom increasing the population rapidly, while many people still lived in slums
        
        The slums were unhygienic, dirty, and cramped, which were often filled with diseases
        
        Many houses were all destroyed during war.
    - - The SIT (Singapore Improvement Trust) build low cost housing to meet the population housing needs.
    - - Housing shortages persisted and many continued to live in cramped conditions, as the SIT had not produced enough housing per year
        
        1.7 k out of the needed 10 k a year
  - - - The war had disrupted shipping, which affected the flow of food to Singapore, while neighbouring countries did not produce enough to export to Singapore.
        
        This led to malnutrition and wages not being able to keep up with the rising food prices.
      - At the same time, the black market was still the main source of food after the war.
    - - They established 10 People’s Restaurants to provide affordable meals
      - They also maintained wartime food rationing.
    - - According the sources, the People’s Restaurants managed to serve 2-3 thousand meals in 2 hours.
  - - - There were a wave of strikes during the post war period, where workers from industries took part.
        
        Within 1 year, there were 300 strikes involving 70000 workers.
      - Many people who took part in the strikes were members of trade unions.
      - Due to unsatisfactory working conditions and food/housing conditions.
    - - The British officials suspected that the communists working within the trade union were stirring up anti colonial feelings and causing the strikes
      - Requiring all trade unions to register with the government and not being able to organise strikes and protests against the government
    - - It enabled the government to monster the membership of the unions
      - It still continued to be an active issue throughout the 1950s.
  - - - Theres a need to revive trade and industry
        
        To allow people to have jobs and give sufficient tax to the government for programs to improve welfare.
        
        After war, the main thing stopping trade was that infrastructure was destroyed
    - - Repaired the ports that were damaged during the war, which allow Singapore to become a trading centre again.
    - - The volume of trade surpassed pre-war levels, which finally ended the worst shortages in Singapore
      - More jobs were available
  - - - The british needed to win local support
        
        There was no representative in the government by Asians
        
        Barely any political opinion were given to Asians
    - - They ran political elections to have a say in who represents them in the legislative council.
        
        The election was based on the british model
    - - Most people were not able to vote, and those who got voted in were still controlled by the British.
      - 6 People were elected
- - - - Racial Conflict
        
        European Law vs Local Islamic Law
        
        Both accepted locally but not back in Europe
        
        All judges and officials involved were Europeans who knew nothing about local culture
        
        Adopted without legal papers
        
        Islamic Marriage practice vs European Practise
        
        Marriage at 13 ---) According to local laws
      - Anti-colonialism
        
        There was also growing resentment against the colonial powers
        
        Women movements protested against the Dutch for enforcing European laws
        
        In countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia,
      - Religious Sensitivity
        
        Voiding a Muslim marriage
        
        Placed in a catholic convent for 9 days while the trial was on-going
        
        Pictured with nuns while a Muslim
        
        Court dismissing the appeal within minutes
    - - Dutch Pride
        
        They had lost Indonasia and wanted to restore some pride
  - - - Those who failed to do so would be jailed or fined.
      - Secondary students from Chinese-medium schools were dissatisfied.
        
        They had already lost many years from the JO
        
        They didn't want to help defend a foreign government that didn't give them back anything
        
        500 Students went to protest march as the police clashed with them
        
        All chinese-medium schools were closed, but the students protested by staying in their classrooms
        
        Policy was delayed and boosted the morale and strength of students to be more politically active
- - - - Japan having defeated the colonial powers further accelerated the view point
- - - - PAP risked losing power to the Communist in the next election (Political Stability)
    - - Will stop the Barisan Socialist from gaining power
        
        Malaya had a history of dealing with communists harshly
- - - - Though Singapore was promised there to be a common market, there was no progress
        
        This was due to the central government being scared of Singapore becoming the dominant economic power
        
        Hence, Singapore did not keep its promise to provide money for the development of Sarawak
        
        Led to disputes between Singapore and Central Goverment
    - - For protection from Indonesia (Sabotage as they didn't like Malaysia threatening their regional power)
      - Singapore refused
  - - - They were mostly Chinese, while Malaysia’s political party wanted to establish a nation where there was Malay supremacy.
        
        The central government wanted Malays to have special privileges (such as education)
        
        The PAP wanted all Malaysian to have the same privilege
        
        PAP didn't give the Malays in Singapore privilege.
        
        Made many Singaporean Malays disappointed
        
        UMNO Leaders played upon the disappointment and fears of the Malays to stir up feelings of alleged discrimination
        
        There was deep distrust and resistance among Chinese and Malays
        
        1 more item...
    - - Malaysian Solidarity Convention
        
        Campaign democratic Malaysia Malaysia
        
        Equality for all races
        
        3 May 1963
        
        Campaigned for equality for all races
        
        But mostly Chinese and other races (besides Malays) supported this
        
        The extremist UMNO leaders wanted LKY to be killed
        
        The Tunku had no choice but to kick Singapore out of Malaysia
        
        People were very angry and were reaching a tipping point
        
        To avoid further racial tension - Singapore gained independence on 9 August 1965
        
        Further fuelled the anger towards Singapore and the PAP
- - - - Problem
        
        Income from British bases (They have to pay for food, accommodation)
        
        Servicing Malayan staple communities
        
        Singapore was still largely dependent on international entrepot commerce
        
        Population was growing rapidly
        
        Lack of natural resources
      - Why Merger was wanted
        
        Rapid economic growth/ strong economic support from the Federation (Less taxation from Malaya, they could tap on Malaya resources)
        
        Possibility of setting up a Common Market → to support Singapore’s new industries
    - - Why Merger was wanted
        
        PAP: Presence of a strong central government to keep the Communists under control → help to prevent a Communist takeover in Singapore + Would create a common market to boost Singapore's economy + British would grant Singapore independence as long as they saw Singapore would survive
        
        Saw the best way to become politically stable as joining Malaya
        
        Rapid economic growth/ strong economic support from the Federation possibility of setting up a common market
        
        Support Singapore’s new industries
        
        Barisan Socialis: They were not satisfied with the proposed terms
        
        They wanted a committed full and unreserved merger with the Federation--) All Singaporeans gets citizenship, full rights
        
        Felt that Singapore and its people would be disadvantaged in the Federation
        
        Malaya did not allow Singapore to have complete control over internal security
        
        The communists would then be oppressed by the central government
        
        Federation of Malaya: Lost of Malay political power + potential spread of communism to Malaya
        
        It will upset the racial balance in Malaya, which could potentially result in the Chinese having political dominance over the Malays.
        
        Communist sympathisers in Singapore may united, and spread to Malaya
        
        Why they changed their mind
        
        They realised that working with Singapore to stop the communist spread would be better
        
        They would add Sarawak and Sabah to the nation to stop Chinese from being the dominant race
- - - - SEA was of less priority to defend
      - Hence, there were insufficient quality and quantity of troops
        
        Troops came from many places
        
        Made it difficult to work together
        
        Many soldiers didn't see it as their duty to defend Malaya
        
        Little local forces were raised-had minimal equipment and training
        
        Many were not trained in fighting in a tropical climate
        
        Troops in Singapore/Malaya were poorly trained and ill equipped
    - - There was no tanks, while having little anti-tank weapons
      - It was still using outdated buffalo fighters
      - The British were not able to send many warships to Singapore due to them needing to fight in Europe
        
        Main ships Singapore had was sank before the war started
        
        Singapore's naval and air superiority was lost
    - - It relied on the local forces being able to defend Malaya/Singapore for extended periods of time
  - - - Had a unit to research and train soldiers for fighting in Jungles
      - They knew not to attack Malaya from the sea (due to the British defences)
      - Planned to land on the beaches of South Thailand and advance south
    - - They had light tanks and bicycles to move through the jungle quickly
        
        The British thought the Jungle was a natural defense
        
        Were fast and surprised the British troops
        
        British left behind supplies, equipment and weapons which the Japanese used
      - They had modern Zero fighters to support the troops from the air
        
        Compared to British Buffalo fighters
  - - - They had set up camp in the Palace of the Sultan of Johor
        
        They knew the British would not fire at the home of their old friend
    - - Made the British think the Japanese were invading from there-The British moved their troops to the Northeast
        
        The Japanese instead invaded from the Northwest-Less defended, troops were spread across the coast
        
        The British were unprepared for this
    - - The British planned to retreat from Northwest to City Centre but it was done too early due to a miscommunication
        
        Bukit Timah (Where equipment was stored) was lost from the British. Water supply was also lost
        
        Pasir Panjang was soon defeated too, where even more equipment and a hospital was lost to the Japanese
        
        Singapore surrendered
- - - - In the meantime, Singapore relied on local defenses
        
        Mostly situated at the South/West/East side of the island
        
        Aimed to protect from a naval invasion
        
        Most guns were for to shoot at ships
        
        They could not shoot at land enemies or troops
        
        It was believed that landing troops in Malaya was difficult during the monsoon+Difficult to advance through jungles
        
        British saw the Malayan Jungles as a natural protection
        
        Aircraft Bases was build in Malaya to defend from hostile landings
- - - - They went on a hunger strike and prevented buses from going out of the depot
        
        Policed intervened, 15 people injured
        
        David Marshall tried to settle the dispute but was unsuccessful
        
        Water Hoses were used and 4 people died. A deal was reached in the end
        
        Led to the British not being impressed with his handling as he was reluctant to do anything
  - - - The British wanted to see action done against the communist
      - 5000 students took over their schools and demanded the re-registration of the union
        
        The government did not agree, warned the students sternly
        
        Expelled 142 students from several schools on suspicion of anti-government activities.
        
        Students did not leave the school, hence the government demanded they do
        
        A mob confronted the police outside the school, the students did not want to change
        
        13 People died, 120 people injured, but the British was pleased with the handling of the situation, though some locals were not pleased
- - - - Both parties promised independence from the British
        
        Labour Front won, with David Marshall being the new Chief Minister
        
        Singapore's Governor was reluctant to work with him
- - - - Lim Yew Hock went to London to hold talks again (Second Merdeka Talks)
        
        Was successful though the policies were the same
        
        The British were pleased with the handling of the riot