Chap 7 : End of War and Post-War Problems

1. End of War2. Period of Uncertainty3. Return of the British4. Post-war Problems

End of WarEnd of War1. Germany’s Surrender

End of WarEnd of War2. End of War in Asia and the Pacific

Region

End of WarEnd of War2. End of War in Asia and the Pacific

Region

Enormous atomic cloud

About one hour after the bombing on 6 August 1945.Photo: the U.S. Army.

Victims

Victims

Victims

Victims

Period of Uncertainty

Anxiety and Uncertainty– 15 Aug 1945 : Japanese Emperor announced end of war– 17 Aug 1945 announcement over radio that Japan had surrendered– rush to get rid of Japanese currency– Looting of shops, especially Japanese shops

Revenge Killings– revenge against informers

Warning: for Mature adults only! Pls prepare puke

bags!

Boy suffering 70% burns over his body when the bomb explode 1.6miles from the hypocentre

Return of the British

3 Sep 1945– British troops returned to Singapore

12 Sep 1945– grand victory parade at the Padang– surrender document was signed in the City Hall between Lord Mountbatten and the Japanese Commander

Return of the British

British Military Administration (BMA)

– took charge of governing Singapore until 1 Apr 1946– That’s when the British Govt took over– help to maintain law and order – Re-construct Singapore in the immediate post-war years– Many problems– Attitude of the people towards the British had changed

During the Japanese occupation, many locals were alerted to the quick pace of British withdrawal

This made them aware of not relying on others but being masters of their own fates

They also demanded more equal treatment, a dream which Communists “promised”.

Post-war thoughts

Post-war Problems Shortage of food Disruption of Water, Electricity and Gas Supplies Change of Currency Unemployment Shortage of Housing Poor Health Conditions Disruption of Education

Shortage of Food Most urgent problem

rice-producing countries had no extra rice to sell War destroyed merchant ships Sunken ships blocked the harbour few warehouses left

Created a severe shortage of food Cause & Effect : Effect - high prices Creation of a black market

Shortage of Food Solutions/Measures taken1. Harbour was cleared

Wharves repaired; warehouses built

2. Food rationing Price control for essential foodstuffs Heavy punishments for profiteering Because of these measures, difficult for poor to obtain food People’s Restaurants provided affordable meals

Shortage of Food Solutions/Measures taken

3. Setting up of Family Restaurants to help the very poor who could not even afford cheap meals Opened by Social Welfare Dept in Dec 1946 8-cent meals : rice, fish, vegetables, gravy and iced water or Chinese tea

Food supplies slowly increased more food produced by other countries trade between S’pore and other countries resumed

Despite this, starvation still occurred Improvisation

Disruption of water, electricity and gas

supplies

Water shortage due mainly to faulty supply pipes British - repair / chlorine Gas, electricity and phones services were disrupted Situation improved when Jap POWs made to help repair

the water mains and machinery in power stations

Change of currency Japanese currency not legal tender Most did not have British currency BMA issued special relief grants to people ie gave money to tide over the difficult period also high unemployment

Unemployment High unemployment after the war Jobs created by Japanese disappeared with the return of the British Many forced to take up odd jobs and any jobs that came along SITUATION

Everyday, BMA refer many to the Labour Exchange in Havelock Road Match skills to needs Long queues were a common sight 60,000 found jobs with the help of the Labour Exchange within the first few months

Many houses were destroyed during the war Resulted in rapid rise in rentals Those who could not afford squeezed into small overcrowded

buildings 1947 - many still living in overcrowded rooms and cubicles Some moved out and became squatters

Shortage of Housing

Solutions/Measures Law on rent control Government built some flats Unsuccessful at solving the housing problem Overcrowded and unhygienic conditions prevailed Problem made worse with increase in population in the 1950s

Shortage of Housing

Poor Health Conditions Death rate in 1945 double that in pre-war level Hospitals short of equipment, medicine, furniture and bedding Malnutrition and smallpox were common Health Campaign in Oct 1945

Free medical services Vaccinations against infectious diseases

Poor Health Conditions Unfortunately, these steps were still inadequate Poor health conditions made worse by overcrowded living conditions Diseases like TB were widespread

SATA was formed to combat TB still exists today

Disruption of Education

Schools faced many problems as a result of the Japanese Occupation BMA was quick to re-open schools in Oct 1945 Places needed for normal intake as well as over-aged children Those who went back to school found a different problem No proper facilities and teaching materials Shortage of textbooks, most desks and chairs badly

damaged

Disruption of Education

Solutions/Measures Orders for teaching materials and other essentials were

placed BMA helped to get needy children back to school - how? No school fees if parents are receiving emergency relief Mar 1946 - 62,000 children attending school

CONCLUSION We have learnt some of the main problems people faced in post-war years In spite of the efforts by the BMA, many were inadequate and ineffective Rapid population growth, food shortage, unemployment and poor housing

continued well into the 1950s Caused discontent and many became increasingly unhappy with British rule Next chapter : The Communists