Economy
Currency
CHANGE:
There was a change in the currency of the money used before and during the Japanese Occupation. Before the Japanese Occupation, the Straits money was used, however, during the Japanese Occupation, the “banana money” was used. The “banana money” was worthless compared to the Straits money as the currency suffered from hyperinflation and dropped drastically as the authorities would simply print more whenever they needed it.
CHANGE:
There was a change in the currency of the money used before and during the Japanese Occupation. Before the Japanese Occupation, the Straits money was used, however, during the Japanese Occupation, the “banana money” was used. The “banana money” was worthless compared to the Straits money as the currency suffered from hyperinflation and dropped drastically as the authorities would simply print more whenever they needed it.
Source A:
Between 1845 and 1939, Singapore used the Straits dollar. The Straits Settlements became a Crown Colony. The Indian rupee was discontinued as legal tender currency and silver dollars were made legal tender currency. Establishment of the Board of Commissioners of Currency through the passing of Ordinance No 8.The 1st government notes issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency. Following the recommendation by the Straits Settlements Currency Committee, chaired by Sir David Barbour, the new silver Straits dollar was introduced.
Source: http://www.singaporemint.com/fact_sgcurrency.php
Between 1845 and 1939, Singapore used the Straits dollar. The Straits Settlements became a Crown Colony. The Indian rupee was discontinued as legal tender currency and silver dollars were made legal tender currency. Establishment of the Board of Commissioners of Currency through the passing of Ordinance No 8.The 1st government notes issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency. Following the recommendation by the Straits Settlements Currency Committee, chaired by Sir David Barbour, the new silver Straits dollar was introduced.
Source: http://www.singaporemint.com/fact_sgcurrency.php
Source B:
The “banana money” was used during the Japanese Occupation.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_occupation_of_Singapore
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_occupation_of_Singapore
Jobs
CHANGE:
There was a change in the locals' jobs. From Source A, it shows that the locals had many different professions. However in Source B, it shows that during the Japanese Occupation, the locals only worked as farmers. They plant crops to eat so that they can survive, or sell them to make a living.
Before the Japanese Occupation, the Europeans earned more money than the other races. But during the occupation, they did not earn anything because they became a prisoner of war, and had to work as slaves.
CHANGE:
There was a change in the locals' jobs. From Source A, it shows that the locals had many different professions. However in Source B, it shows that during the Japanese Occupation, the locals only worked as farmers. They plant crops to eat so that they can survive, or sell them to make a living.
Before the Japanese Occupation, the Europeans earned more money than the other races. But during the occupation, they did not earn anything because they became a prisoner of war, and had to work as slaves.
Source A:
Indians
· mostly money lenders or transport providers
· successful in the areas of banking and transportation
Malays
· became gardeners and huntsmen
· provide necessities like firewood and food stuff
· skilled shipbuilders; made ships
Chinese Middlemen
· Traders from Europe and the Malay Archipelago bought and sold their goods mainly through the Chinese middleman.
· They could speak sufficient English, Malay and local dialects to communicate with their clients.
· This allowed trade to take place easily as trade prospered, more workers were brought into Singapore.
Europeans
· set up companies and agency houses
· worked as government officials; maintain law and order
Source: http://www.slideshare.net/scaree-w/chapter-4-immigrants?next_slideshow=3
Indians
· mostly money lenders or transport providers
· successful in the areas of banking and transportation
Malays
· became gardeners and huntsmen
· provide necessities like firewood and food stuff
· skilled shipbuilders; made ships
Chinese Middlemen
· Traders from Europe and the Malay Archipelago bought and sold their goods mainly through the Chinese middleman.
· They could speak sufficient English, Malay and local dialects to communicate with their clients.
· This allowed trade to take place easily as trade prospered, more workers were brought into Singapore.
Europeans
· set up companies and agency houses
· worked as government officials; maintain law and order
Source: http://www.slideshare.net/scaree-w/chapter-4-immigrants?next_slideshow=3
Source B:
Settlers trying to grow crops in the Bahau settlement during the Japanese Occupation. They soon found that the soil was so bad, it could not sustain farming. --PHOTO: EURASIAN ASSOCIATION SINGAPORE
Source: http://ifonlysingaporeans.blogspot.sg/2014/10/from-syonan-to-fuji-go.html
Source: http://ifonlysingaporeans.blogspot.sg/2014/10/from-syonan-to-fuji-go.html
Prisoners of War (POWs)
Source: http://ww2today.com/29-november-1944-survival-as-a-pow-in-nagasaki-japan
Trade
CHANGE:
The source shows a change in how business was going. The people in Singapore used to be very prosperous. But, during the Japanese Occupation, the people had difficulty coping with money so food prices were increased.
CHANGE:
The source shows a change in how business was going. The people in Singapore used to be very prosperous. But, during the Japanese Occupation, the people had difficulty coping with money so food prices were increased.
Source A:
With the advent of the steamship in the mid-1860s and the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, Singapore became a major port of call for ships plying between Europe and East Asia. And with the development of rubber planting, especially after the 1870s, it also became the main sorting and export centre in the world for rubber. Before the close of the 19th century, Singapore was experiencing unprecedented prosperity and trade expanded eightfold between 1873 and 1913. The prosperity attracted immigrants from areas around the region. By 1860, the population had grown to 80,792. The Chinese accounted for 61.9 per cent of the number; the Malays and Indians 13.5 and 16.05 per cent respectively; and others, including the Europeans, 8.5 per cent.
Source: http://www.singaporeexpats.com/about-singapore/brief-history.htm#nav
With the advent of the steamship in the mid-1860s and the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, Singapore became a major port of call for ships plying between Europe and East Asia. And with the development of rubber planting, especially after the 1870s, it also became the main sorting and export centre in the world for rubber. Before the close of the 19th century, Singapore was experiencing unprecedented prosperity and trade expanded eightfold between 1873 and 1913. The prosperity attracted immigrants from areas around the region. By 1860, the population had grown to 80,792. The Chinese accounted for 61.9 per cent of the number; the Malays and Indians 13.5 and 16.05 per cent respectively; and others, including the Europeans, 8.5 per cent.
Source: http://www.singaporeexpats.com/about-singapore/brief-history.htm#nav
Source B:
Black Market
CHANGE:
There was a change in the lives of the locals as black market was introduced into their life. Before the Japanese Occupation, there were lesser black markets and the prices of the goods were cheaper. However, during the Japanese Occupation, there was a drastic change of the price, and black markets were everywhere.
RESULT: Many people suffered from malnutrition (trading was unavailable and food and goods were scarce) à gave rise to black markets
CHANGE:
There was a change in the lives of the locals as black market was introduced into their life. Before the Japanese Occupation, there were lesser black markets and the prices of the goods were cheaper. However, during the Japanese Occupation, there was a drastic change of the price, and black markets were everywhere.
RESULT: Many people suffered from malnutrition (trading was unavailable and food and goods were scarce) à gave rise to black markets
Source A:
Price of eggs in a black market before the Japanese Occupation.
Source: http://www.slideshare.net/gohbangrui/history-chapter-6-how-did-world-war-ii-affect-singapore
Source B:
In Singapore during the Japanese occupation, food and other commodities were in very short supply and strictly rationed. This means that people would be willing to pay high prices to get more than their ration. You might be able to do this in the normal shops. If you paid the shopkeeper enough money, he would be able to find what you wanted.
There were also thousands of people who made a living by hawking goods on the street, and even door-to-door salesmen. So the black market was everywhere.
The black market was so rampant because of corruption among Japanese officials. They would deliberately hoard supplies of food in order to drive up the price. The city's traders would then have to pay bribes to the Japanese in order to get hold of these scarce commodities. Both the traders and the Japanese officials stood to make a nice profit, because of the high prices.
So although the black market was illegal, it was secretly encouraged by Japanese officials, who were making money off it through bribes.
Source: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080719063403AAAysPG
In Singapore during the Japanese occupation, food and other commodities were in very short supply and strictly rationed. This means that people would be willing to pay high prices to get more than their ration. You might be able to do this in the normal shops. If you paid the shopkeeper enough money, he would be able to find what you wanted.
There were also thousands of people who made a living by hawking goods on the street, and even door-to-door salesmen. So the black market was everywhere.
The black market was so rampant because of corruption among Japanese officials. They would deliberately hoard supplies of food in order to drive up the price. The city's traders would then have to pay bribes to the Japanese in order to get hold of these scarce commodities. Both the traders and the Japanese officials stood to make a nice profit, because of the high prices.
So although the black market was illegal, it was secretly encouraged by Japanese officials, who were making money off it through bribes.
Source: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080719063403AAAysPG