Pop Quiz on Historical Events

What was the date of British surrender to the Japanese after the Battle of Singapore?

• 15 Feb 1942

• 13 Feb 1942

• 8 Feb 1942

• 1 Feb 1942

Answer explanation

The Japanese invaded Singapore on 8 Feb 1942 and the British surrendered on 15 Feb 1942, after about one week of intense battle.

In which year did the Japanese Occupation (JO) start in Singapore?

• 1940

• 1941

• 1942

• 1943

Answer explanation

This is a giveaway question because the previous question stated that the British surrendered on 15 Feb 1942

Who was also known as the "Tiger of Malaya"?

• General Hideki Tojo

• General Arthur Percival

• General Douglas MacArthur

• General Tomoyuki Yamashita

Answer explanation

General Yamashita, commander of the 25th Army, that was sent for war in Malaya, was also known as the "Tiger of Malaya".

True / False - After the Japanese surrender, people in Southeast Asia saw their chance to rise up against their European colonial rulers (e.g. the British) and end colonial rule.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. Even before WW2, people already had anti-colonial sentiments (meaning not wanting them to rule) but the Japanese Occupation increased those feelings. Why? because the people saw and experienced the European powers being defeated by Japan, an Asian power.

After WWII ended, the (a)   War between the United States and the Soviet Union started.

Differences in ______ between the United States and the Soviet Union contributed to the Cold War.

• Pop Culture

• Identity

• Ideology

• Policies

Answer explanation

Ideology simply means "idea". The US and the Soviet Union had different political and economic systems based on different beliefs and values. After WW2 ended, these ideological differences led to the start of the Cold War.

The United States believed in democracy while the Soviet Union was driven by the ______ ideology.

• Nazi

• Communist

• Liberal

• Fascist

Answer explanation

The Soviet Union was a big communist country made up of smaller states. It was located near both Europe and Central Asia.

The Soviet Union practised a system of government ownership of resources while the United States believed in the idea of _______ ownership.

• Private
• Market

• State

• Shared

Answer explanation

Private ownership means that the capitalist economy is led and determined by market forces (e.g. supply and demand). In contrast, the Soviet Union practised government ownership, which meant the state controlled the use of resources.

Communism as an ideology gained popularity because _________.

• It was based on the idea of state ownership of resources.

• People generally admired Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union.

• It sounded cool.

• It opposed colonial rule for its exploitation of people.

In Singapore, the _________ had considerable popular support.

• Malaysian Communist Party

• Singapura Communist Party

• Malayan Communist Party

• British Communist Party