2. Q1.Q1. What were the post-war problemsWhat were the post-war problems
and how did the British try to solve them?and how did the British try to solve them?
► You need to FocusYou need to Focus
1)1) on the seven social and economicon the seven social and economic
problems in the post-war years.problems in the post-war years.
2)2) Discuss the steps taken by the British toDiscuss the steps taken by the British to
solve the problems.solve the problems.
3. Rice-producing countries did not haveRice-producing countries did not have
enough rice to sell.enough rice to sell.
There were also not enough ships toThere were also not enough ships to
transport food totransport food to
Singapore as a large number of ships wereSingapore as a large number of ships were
destroyed in the wardestroyed in the war
This shortage of food led to profiteering andThis shortage of food led to profiteering and
a rise in food prices.a rise in food prices.
1 ) Shortage of food (Economic)1 ) Shortage of food (Economic)
4. 1 ) Shortage of food (Economic)1 ) Shortage of food (Economic)
The British imposed controls on the pricesThe British imposed controls on the prices
of essential foodstuffs and introduced foodof essential foodstuffs and introduced food
rationing.rationing.
They opened People's Restaurants toThey opened People's Restaurants to
provide meals at affordable prices andprovide meals at affordable prices and
Family Restaurants for very poor families.Family Restaurants for very poor families.
► Children under six years of age were givenChildren under six years of age were given
at least one free meal a day at feedingat least one free meal a day at feeding
centres.centres.
5. 2) Change of currency (Economic)2) Change of currency (Economic)
With the return of the British, the legalWith the return of the British, the legal
tender was changed back to the Straitstender was changed back to the Straits
dollar This meant that the Japanesedollar This meant that the Japanese
currency was no longer of any value.currency was no longer of any value.
Many people were affected by this changeMany people were affected by this change
as they held a lot of Japanese notes.as they held a lot of Japanese notes.
To help these people, the British issuedTo help these people, the British issued
relief grants in the form of money to those inrelief grants in the form of money to those in
need.need.
6. 3. Unemployment (Economic)3. Unemployment (Economic)
Many people lost the jobs that were createdMany people lost the jobs that were created
by the Japanese during the wart Earning aby the Japanese during the wart Earning a
living was difficult as salaries were low.living was difficult as salaries were low.
The BMA referred the unemployed to theThe BMA referred the unemployed to the
Labour Exchange to help them find suitableLabour Exchange to help them find suitable
jobs.jobs.
The British also reopened some factoriesThe British also reopened some factories
and this helped to provide jobs for theand this helped to provide jobs for the
unemployed.unemployed.
7. 4. Shortage of water and disruption4. Shortage of water and disruption
of facilities (Social)of facilities (Social)
Many water pipes were faulty and neededMany water pipes were faulty and needed
repairs.repairs.
Gas and electricity supplies, as well asGas and electricity supplies, as well as
telephone services were disrupted, and hadtelephone services were disrupted, and had
to be reinstated.to be reinstated.
The British used the Japanese POWs toThe British used the Japanese POWs to
repair the water mains and the machinery inrepair the water mains and the machinery in
the power stations.the power stations.
8. 5. Housing shortage (Social)5. Housing shortage (Social)
Many houses were destroyed during the warMany houses were destroyed during the war
The shortage of houses led to an increase in rent.The shortage of houses led to an increase in rent.
Many poor people lived in squatters and underMany poor people lived in squatters and under
unhealthy conditions.unhealthy conditions.
The British passed a law to control rent in pre-warThe British passed a law to control rent in pre-war
houses.houses.
They also built flats but this did not solve theThey also built flats but this did not solve the
problem.problem.
9. 6. Poor health conditions (Social)6. Poor health conditions (Social)
The death rate was twice that of pre-warThe death rate was twice that of pre-war
days. This was because hospitals weredays. This was because hospitals were
short of medical supplies and equipment. ,short of medical supplies and equipment. ,
The people also suffered from malnutritionThe people also suffered from malnutrition
and diseases.and diseases.
The British provided vaccinations and freeThe British provided vaccinations and free
medical services.medical services.
A group of businessmen and doctorsA group of businessmen and doctors
started SATA to fight against tuberculosis.started SATA to fight against tuberculosis.
10. 7. Inadequate education facilities7. Inadequate education facilities
(Social)(Social)
Places in school were needed for children as wellPlaces in school were needed for children as well
as for the over aged students whose educationas for the over aged students whose education
was disrupted by the wan However, there were notwas disrupted by the wan However, there were not
enough schools to meet the demand.enough schools to meet the demand.
Schools were without proper facilities.Schools were without proper facilities.
The BMA helped out by providing teachingThe BMA helped out by providing teaching
materials and other essentials.materials and other essentials.
Needy students of poor families also need not payNeedy students of poor families also need not pay
school fees.school fees.
11. Q2. Why did the British control pricesQ2. Why did the British control prices
for essential foodstuffs like sugar andfor essential foodstuffs like sugar and
salt? (3 marks)salt? (3 marks)
When answering any question, rememberWhen answering any question, remember
the following guidelines:the following guidelines:
Read the question carefully.Read the question carefully.
Note the number of marks allocated toNote the number of marks allocated to
each question.each question.
Analyse the question. Plan your answer.Analyse the question. Plan your answer.
12. The instruction word ‘why’ tells you that you have to giveThe instruction word ‘why’ tells you that you have to give
a reason for the control of prices of foodstuffs.a reason for the control of prices of foodstuffs.
The key words are ‘control prices’ and ‘essentialThe key words are ‘control prices’ and ‘essential
foodstuffs’.foodstuffs’.
Note that the question carries 3 marks. You have to giveNote that the question carries 3 marks. You have to give
the reason and explain its implications.the reason and explain its implications.
It was to prevent people from profiteering and sellingIt was to prevent people from profiteering and selling
these goods at high prices. — 2m are awarded as thethese goods at high prices. — 2m are awarded as the
answer only offers the reasonanswer only offers the reason
It was to prevent people from profiteering and sellingIt was to prevent people from profiteering and selling
these goods at high prices in The black market, whichthese goods at high prices in The black market, which
The people could not afford.— 3m are awarded forThe people could not afford.— 3m are awarded for
explaining the reason and showing its implicationexplaining the reason and showing its implication
13. Q3. What were three economicQ3. What were three economic
problems in the post-war years?problems in the post-war years?
Explain the steps taken by theExplain the steps taken by the
British to solve them. (7 marks)British to solve them. (7 marks)
The instruction word ‘what’ tells you that youThe instruction word ‘what’ tells you that you
have to list the economic problem which, in thishave to list the economic problem which, in this
case, consists of three problems. The wordcase, consists of three problems. The word
‘explain’ tells you that you have to elaborate on‘explain’ tells you that you have to elaborate on
the steps taken by the British.the steps taken by the British.
The key words are ‘three economic problems’ andThe key words are ‘three economic problems’ and
‘steps taken to solve them’. The time frame is the‘steps taken to solve them’. The time frame is the
period after the war. The topic is about theperiod after the war. The topic is about the
problems of the post-war years. Note that theproblems of the post-war years. Note that the
question carries 7 marks. Hence your answerquestion carries 7 marks. Hence your answer
must list the problems and elaborate on them.must list the problems and elaborate on them.
14. The Three economic problems wereThe Three economic problems were
shortage of food, change in currencyshortage of food, change in currency
and unemployment. — 1m isand unemployment. — 1m is
awarded as the answer only lists theawarded as the answer only lists the
problemsproblems
15. The three economic problems were shortage ofThe three economic problems were shortage of
food, change in currency and unemployment.food, change in currency and unemployment.
There was a shortage of food because rice-There was a shortage of food because rice-
producing countries did not have enough rice toproducing countries did not have enough rice to
sell. Furthermore, there were not enough ships tosell. Furthermore, there were not enough ships to
transport whatever food there was as many oftransport whatever food there was as many of
the ships had been destroyed in the war. Peoplethe ships had been destroyed in the war. People
also found that the Japanese currency they heldalso found that the Japanese currency they held
were useless when the Straits dollar became legalwere useless when the Straits dollar became legal
tender. Many people, too, lost the jobs that weretender. Many people, too, lost the jobs that were
created by the Japanese during the war.—created by the Japanese during the war.— 4m4m
are awarded as the answer only lists andare awarded as the answer only lists and
explains the problems. It does not focus onexplains the problems. It does not focus on
the steps taken by the British to solve thethe steps taken by the British to solve the
problems.problems.
16. The Three economic problems were shortage of food,The Three economic problems were shortage of food,
change in currency and unemployment. There was achange in currency and unemployment. There was a
shortage of food because rice—producing countries did notshortage of food because rice—producing countries did not
have enough rice To sell. FurTherm0re, There were nothave enough rice To sell. FurTherm0re, There were not
enough ships To Transport whatever food There was asenough ships To Transport whatever food There was as
many of The ships had been destroyed. To help The people,many of The ships had been destroyed. To help The people,
The British set up People's Restaurants That provided mealsThe British set up People's Restaurants That provided meals
at affordable prices. The Japanese currency had becomeat affordable prices. The Japanese currency had become
useless when The legal Tender was changed back To Theuseless when The legal Tender was changed back To The
Straits dollar. To help The people, The British issued reliefStraits dollar. To help The people, The British issued relief
grants in The form of money To Those in need. Many peoplegrants in The form of money To Those in need. Many people
also lost The jobs That were created by The Japanesealso lost The jobs That were created by The Japanese
during The war. The British set up a Labour Exchange Toduring The war. The British set up a Labour Exchange To
help find suitable jobs for The unemployed.help find suitable jobs for The unemployed. — 7m are— 7m are
awarded as the answer explains the problems andawarded as the answer explains the problems and
the steps taken to solve themthe steps taken to solve them
17. Q4. How did the communists plan toQ4. How did the communists plan to
achieve their objective of driving theachieve their objective of driving the
British out of Singapore and MalayaBritish out of Singapore and Malaya
after the war?after the war?
You need to :You need to :
1)1) Know that the communists wanted to setKnow that the communists wanted to set
up a communist government inup a communist government in
Singapore.Singapore.
2)2) Explain the communists’ strategy ofExplain the communists’ strategy of
using the people to go against theusing the people to go against the
British.British.
18. The Communist objectiveThe Communist objective
- The communists wanted to end colonial- The communists wanted to end colonial
rule in Singapore and set up a communistrule in Singapore and set up a communist
government controlled by China.government controlled by China.
The Communist strategyThe Communist strategy
- They stirred up anti-British feelings in the- They stirred up anti-British feelings in the
people. They promised the people apeople. They promised the people a
better life and freedom from the British.better life and freedom from the British.
19. Q5. What were the activities of theQ5. What were the activities of the
communists in the l940s and werecommunists in the l940s and were
they successful in achieving theirthey successful in achieving their
objective?objective?
You need to:You need to:
Highlight the tactics used by theHighlight the tactics used by the
communists to create unrest.communists to create unrest.
Evaluate the reason for the failure of theEvaluate the reason for the failure of the
communists in achieving their objective.communists in achieving their objective.
20. Communist activities in the |940sCommunist activities in the |940s
The communists made use of the trade unions,The communists made use of the trade unions,
newspapers and the Chinese-educated studentsnewspapers and the Chinese-educated students
to influence the people to their cause.to influence the people to their cause.
Many workers were ready to listen to theMany workers were ready to listen to the
communists because of their poor pay andcommunists because of their poor pay and
working conditions.working conditions.
The communists also instigated the workers toThe communists also instigated the workers to
go on strike to create disorder:go on strike to create disorder:
21. Failure of the communistsFailure of the communists
The communists were not successful. ManyThe communists were not successful. Many
workers lost interest in the communist causeworkers lost interest in the communist cause
when the strikes they participated in affectedwhen the strikes they participated in affected
their pay.their pay.
The workers also realized that the communistsThe workers also realized that the communists
were more interested in creating disorder than inwere more interested in creating disorder than in
fighting for their rights.fighting for their rights.
in I947, the British passed a law that required allin I947, the British passed a law that required all
trade unions to register with the government.trade unions to register with the government.
The aim was to monitor and control the activitiesThe aim was to monitor and control the activities
of the communists in the unions.of the communists in the unions.
22. Q6. Who was Maria Hertogh and
why did racial riots break out
because of her?
You need to:
Understand the background of Maria
Hertogh.
Examine the reasons that led to the riots,
in particular the lack of religious sensitivity
of the British.
· Evaluate the consequences of the riots.
23. The Maria Hertogh Riots
• The riots were caused by a dispute over custody of
a Eurasian girl called Maria Hertogh between her
natural parents and her foster Muslim parents.
• The British court ruled that Maria should be
returned to her natural parents. lt also did not
recognize Maria’s marriage under Muslim law.
• In addition Maria was put in a convent, an act which
angered the Muslim community who regarded her as
a Muslim.
• Riots broke out when the court denied custody to
the Muslim parents. • l8 people died, l73 were
injured, and property and vehicles were destroyed
in the riots.
24. Q7. What lessons can be drawnQ7. What lessons can be drawn
from the riots and unrest infrom the riots and unrest in
Singapore of the l940s and 50s?Singapore of the l940s and 50s?
You need to:You need to:
Explain the political and racialExplain the political and racial
vulnerabilities of Singapore.vulnerabilities of Singapore.
Examine the effects of the riots and strikesExamine the effects of the riots and strikes
on Singapore.on Singapore.
25. LessonsLessons
Singapore is vulnerable to externalSingapore is vulnerable to external
influences such as the communist threat.influences such as the communist threat.
Racial sensitivity is very important in aRacial sensitivity is very important in a
multi-racial societymulti-racial society
26. Effects of the riotsEffects of the riots
·The strikes and riots disrupted·The strikes and riots disrupted
businesses and affected the economicbusinesses and affected the economic
growth of Singapore.growth of Singapore.
lt also affected the people’s way of life.lt also affected the people’s way of life.
