WWII (1941-1945) and the Aftermath of the War (1945-1955)

history cont.

Japanese Occupation of Singapore

Singapore was occupied until September, 1945. Singapore was an important place for the Japanese–the capital of their southern region. A large prison was established on the eastern end of the island at Changi (which as a side note is very close to where I will be staying in Singapore on upper Changi Rd.). Many were executed or sent to forced labor in the North for their anti-Japanese sentiments and support for China (especially the teachers, journalists, and other intellectuals). The schools were taken over; the children began to learn the Japanese language, patriotic songs, and other propaganda. However, hardly any children were sent to school during that time. Efficient trade collapsed in Singapore so the people resorted to the black market and all kinds of bribery and corruption. As the Japanese started to lose the war, one last ditch effort was made in May 1945 to build an airfield at Changi. The prisoners and other unemployed Chinese were forced into hard labor. Finally, news arrived that Japan had surrendered and British warships arrived in a peaceful reclamation of Singapore.

Aftermath of the War

With the use of the atomic bombs, the war against Japan ended much faster than anyone thought. Therefore, the colonial administration was somewhat unprepared in its organization and reoccupation in Singapore. Singapore was excluded from the Malayan Union (The peninsular Malay states along with Penang and Malacca). Instead it became a headquarters for the British. Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten became the head of the British Military Administration headquartered in Singapore. This policy upset the businessmen because they felt that Singapore’s economy was vitally connected to that of the peninsula. Furthermore, the respect and awe for the British colonialists had eroded since their “invincible protectors” had not been able to defend them against the Japanese. Although the Singaporeans did not necessarily dislike the British, they did not want to completely depend upon the British as they had done before.