History political impact (chapter 7)

• President Truman of the USA decided to use the atomic bombs to prevent an invasion of Japan, leading to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
• The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima wiped out 90% of the city and immediately killed 80,000 people
• The atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki killed an estimated 40,000 people
• Japan's Emperor Hirohito announced Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II on August 15, 1945, due to the devastating power of the atomic bombs
• Local anger against the British after the Japanese surrender was due to the British not protecting the locals during the occupation
• The Japanese established control in Singapore through:

  • Using force, such as meting out harsh punishments, imprisoning Allied soldiers, carrying out Operation Sook Ching, and coercing the Chinese business community
  • Winning loyalty through propaganda, providing benefits to the locals, and imposing Japanese culture with the objective of "Nipponisation" or "Nippon Seishin"
• Singapore was renamed 'Syonan-to' under Japanese rule
• The Japanese military government ruled Syonan-to by using fear and cruelty to mete out harsh punishments
• The Kempeitai, Japanese military police, used fear and cruelty to restore order
• British and other Europeans were taken as prisoners of war by the Japanese
• Harsh punishments by the Japanese created fear and served as severe warnings to the people, leading to a rule of fear and terror
• The rise of anti-Japanese resistance fighters, such as Lim Bo Seng and MPAJA, occurred due to Japanese oppression
• Operation Sook Ching was carried out to weed out anti-Japanese sentiments and foster loyalty and obedience among the people
• Chinese men aged 18-50 had to report to designated locations where informers would single out those who were anti-Japanese
• Chinese were targeted by the Japanese as a source of opposition and threat
• The Japanese coerced the Chinese business community to support Japanese war activities and British war efforts
• Propaganda was used by the Japanese to influence the minds of people in Singapore and gain their loyalty
• The Japanese provided schooling, accommodation at no cost, and favorable treatment to some ethnic groups to win loyalty
• The Japanese imposed their culture on the locals by teaching Japanese language, cultivating Japanese traditions, and promoting Japanese national symbols