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| Picture (top): This money was used during the Japanese Occupation. By the time the war ended, the "banana money" had no value and became useless. |
POLITICAL (Military, Law, Government)
- Singapore was renamed Syonan-to.
- propaganda campaigns to influence the locals to support the Japanese.
- Japanese nationalism (spirit) was promoted and western influence was removed.
- controlled mass media (i.e. radio broadcasts, newspapers, etc.).
- used fear to control the locals.
- military government took control of Singapore.
- Malays and Indians were promised freedom from colonial rule (independence) if they supported the Japanese.
- Kempeitai (police) restored and maintained law and order.
- strict laws were enforced.
- resistance to Japanese rule (MPAJA)*
ECONOMIC (Money, Trade, Supplies, Employment)
- Entrepot trade was disrupted.
- rationing was practised (i.e food and basic necessities).
- black market existed.
- food and basic necessities were sold at high prices due to shortage.
- Mass printing of money [banana money] leading to the devaluation of local currency.
- widespread food shortages.
- people grew their own crops and made their own basic necessities.
- alternative ingredients were used to make food.
- "Peace Living Certificates" were issued to every household.
- available resources were used by the Japanese to enhance their war efforts in other parts of the world.
SOCIAL (Health, Education, Housing, Living conditions)
- European soldiers (P.O.Ws - Prisoner of War) and civilians were forced to march 22km to Changi prison.
- Eurasians and anti-Japanese suspects were tortured and killed.
- many Chinese became victims of Japanese atrocities.
- many locals lived in poverty and were suffering from malnutrition (poor health conditions).
- locals boycotted Japanese goods.
- those who opposed the Japanese were drafted into forced labour or the death railway camps in Thailand.
- schools and offices had to begin the day by singing the Japanese national anthem (facing the direction of Japan).
- Mass drills were carried out for students, teachers and workers.
- Japanese language was made compulsory learning in schools.
*The Malayan Peoples' Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) was a resistance movement during Japanese-occupied Malaya during World War II.
QUESTION:
Which aspect do you think has the greatest impact on the locals living in Singapore at that time?
(2/8-02)
ReplyDeleteThe 2010 Deganga riots began on 6 September when mobs resorted to arson and violence over a disputed structure at Deganga, Kartikpur and Beliaghata under the Deganga police station area. The violence began late in the evening and continued throughout the night into the next morning. The district police, Rapid Action Force, Central Reserve Police Force and Border Security Force all failed to stop the mob violence, army was finally deployed. The army staged a flag march on the Taki Road, while violence continued unabated in the interior villages off the Taki Road, till Wednesday in spite of army presence and promulgation of prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC. The violence finally calmed down on 9 September after hundreds of business establishments and residences were looted, destroyed and burnt, dozens of people were severely injured and several places of worship desecrated and vandalized.