4.1 The Indonesian Independence

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4.1 The Indonesian Independence

Dutch Indies

The Japanese years

Find out what happened in the Dutch Indies during the occupation of Japan

Find at least three characteristics

3 Characteristics of the
Japanse occupation

Japan surrenders

15th of August 1945

Soekarno declares the Indonesian Independence 

17th of August 1945

Soekarno declares the Indonesian Independence 

17th of August 1945

Why is this possible?

• The Dutch are still in internment camps

• No Dutch army around

• The Japanese military has to keep order.

• Pemuda's (nationalist young people) control the streets

Bersiap period

• najaar 1945-voorjaar 1946

• Power vacuum: unclear who really has power, so Pemudas can go about their business (without intervention)

• A very violent period with thousands of victims (mainly Dutch and pro-Dutch groups)

And now?

• The English are nearby, but don't feel like  having a new war: the Netherlands must solve this themselves.

• The Netherlands does not want to recognize the independent republic of Indonesia at all.

• They do not want to talk to Sukarno (Traitor and rebel)

Linggadjati agreement

• Truce

• The Netherlands recognizes the Republic of Indonesia on Java, Sumatra and Madura

• Establishment of the United States of Indonesia (with the Netherlands): the queen is head of state

• November 15, 1946

The Linggadjati Agreement Fails

• Both the Netherlands and Indonesia are not really happy with it

• The Netherlands makes adjustments to the agreement (via the House of Representatives)

• Violence flares up again in Indonesia
• The Netherlands cancels the agreement on 20 July 1947

1st ''Politionele actie''

(July 1947-January 1948)

• Operation Product (Operatie Product): restoring Dutch authority

• The name ''politionele actie'' was a conscious decision (''not a war'')

• Militarily a success, politically not: Republic continued to exist and a lot of criticism came from abroad

2nd ''Politionele actie''

(December 1948-January 1949)

• Operation Crow (Operatie Kraai): Destroy the Republic of Indonesia and imprison leaders

• The Netherlands wanted to end the unrest in the Dutch East Indies: it cost too much money

• Again, a success from a military point of view (note: war crimes have been committed on a large scale)

Indonesia becomes independent

• Great pressure is put on the Netherlands: United States threaten to stop the Marshall Plan

• New negotiations: Indonesia will become independent and there will be a Dutch-Indonesian Union

• Transfer of sovereignty on December 27, 1949

Republik Indonesia

Relations with the Netherlands, however, remain difficult:

many discussions about: the Moluccas, human rights and development aid.

(The Dutch-Indonesian Union exists until 1956)

Homework

5.4