A. Social and Economic Background:

---In the period immediately following the end of Japanese occupation, there was general administrative neglect, the people led difficult lives, and the gap between rich and poor was great.

---The birth rate was high, as was the death rate.

---Employment opportunities were limited and the unemployment problem was severe.

---The level of education was very low; the illiteracy rate approached 60% among people over 15 years of age.

B. Food

---Simple and coarse food was the norm

C. Clothing

---Hand-sown cotton garments were worn. People went barefoot or wore wooden sandals.

D. Housing

1.Urban housing:

Japanese-style single-story dwellings made of wood were common.

People lived in crowded conditions without running water. Very few houses had electricity, bathing and toilet facilities were simple and crude (bath tubs and public toilets), and the most common fuel was wood (for those who had stoves). Non-rotating electric fans were in use.

2.Rural housing:

Houses were built in a traditional rural style using mainly bamboo and earth. Running water, power, and lavatory facilities were non-existent. The most common fuel was wood.

E. Transportation

---Ox carts, rickshas

F. Education

---There was a shortage of classrooms and classroom furniture in elementary schools. Students went to school barefoot. Instructional books and magazines were in short supply.

G. Entertainment

---Because the people had difficulty keeping themselves fed and administration was in disarray, few efforts were made to develop cultural activities. During the slack time in the agricultural year, people commonly attended funeral and wedding ceremonies or religious and folk activities such as temple festivals, worship ceremonies, folk opera, and storytelling, etc.

H. Health Care

---Typhoid, malaria, smallpox, encephalitis, and cholera were widespread.

---Supplies of powdered milk and vaccines were provided as part of American aid.