Post-War Problems in Singapore

This set of flashcards covers the vocabulary related to the post-war problems in Singapore after British rule.

British Military Administration (BMA)

Established to manage Singapore and Malaya post-World War II from 5 September 1945 to 31 March 1946, focusing on law and order and reconstruction.

Food Shortages - BMA Response

1. Controlled prices of essential supplies,

2. gave free food to children under 6 yrs old,

3. people’s restaurant set up to provide more affordable meals.

Economic Difficulties - response

1. Issued special grants to locals but were often insufficient due to large families😢

2. Repaired ports as they provide more job opportunities and increase revenue for the government to continue developing SG. 😄

Schooling Disruptions

1. Reopened schools quickly for students of schooling age as well as overaged students.

2. Provided grants and waived school fees for children for needy families.

3. Effective — 62 000 students were enrolled in schools.

Housing Shortages - Many houses were damaged during the war, creating a pressing housing crisis exacerbated by a post-war baby boom.

Singapore improvement trust fund.

Ineffective — unable to meet growing needs of the population, housing continued to be cramped.

Post-war Baby Boom

A significant increase in birth rates after World War II that strained existing resources and worsened housing and social issues.

Trade Unions

Associations of workers in a particular company or trade aiming to improve pay, benefits, and working conditions or social and political status through collective bargaining.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gain independence from their colonizing countries, significantly impacting colonial rule in Asia.

Industrial Unrest — A situation where workers strike or protest due to challenging working conditions, leading to numerous strikes in Singapore between 1945-1947.

British banned unions from using funds to organise attacks and protests. (ineffective as unions continued to be active).

Malayan Communist Party

Goals : Overthrow British and establish communist government in sg and Malaya.

Supporters: Chinese community

Post war activities — Trade Unions, demand for better work conditions and pay.

Students : demand for better future for students.

British responses to communist

Suppressing Trade Unions :

• All unions had to register with the government, allow government to closely monitor their membership and activities.

• TU no longer allowed to funds to organise strikes and protests against government.