2. § 4.1 The end of world empires

• Geschiedenis
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Deepening

Characteristic aspect: nationalist movements in the colonies and the striving for independence.

- Dutch Indies

- Middle East

How did the Second World War strengthen Asian nationalism? Mention three causes.

After the capitulation of Japan, the Indonesian nationalist Soekarno proclaimed the independent republic of Indonesia. The Netherlands did not accept this proclamation.

This caused the Indonesian War of Independence (1945-1949) to break out. The Dutch government called the military operations in this war politionele acties ('police actions'), because they were supposed to be aimed at restoring domestic order.

Under pressure from the US and the UN, the Netherlands caved in. Queen Juliana signed the transfer of sovereignty on 27 September 1949.

Dutch decolonisation in Asia

proclamation:

announcement, declaration

politionele actie:

Dutch name for 2 military operations during the Indonesion war of independence

transfer of sovereignty:

officially giving the highest power to someone else.

21 July 1947 - 5 Aug. 1947

• Operation Product / Agressi 1

Goal: restore authority in Indonesia

• Military success

Reactions: Criticism by the UN and others

9 Dec. 1948 - 5 Jan. 1949

• Operatie Crow / Agressi 2

Goals:

• Destruction of the Republic of Indonesia
  
• Capturing leaders
• Military success
  

Reacties

• UN demands that Republic of Indonesia  be restored.
• US threatens to cut off Marshall aid
  

UNDERTAKE POLICE ACTION

So ... and what do the gents think they are doing?

 ... are we declaring independence?

The term "police actions" (politionele acties) is
clearly a POV. Explain this by including at least 4 W's
in your answer: who, what, where, why?

Deepening

Characteristic aspect: nationalist movements in the colonies and the striving for independence.

- Dutch Indies

- Middle East

The Great War (1914 - 1918)

Balfourverklaring

a letter that changed the world

WWII had strengthened nationalism in Asia.

The Japanese had turned the indigenous peoples against the West.
As a result, Asia decolonised rapidly after the war.

The new superpowers, the US and the Soviet Union, were opponents of colonialism and supported decolonisation.

Post WWII influence

The British, too, were in favour of decolonisation after 1945.

In 1947, they handed over power in British East Indies. This led to violence between Muslims and Hindus.

The colony was split into the states of

•     India (Hindus),
•     Pakistan (Muslims) &
•     Bangladesh (Muslims).

British

decolonisation in Asia

The French did not leave Indochina (now Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia) voluntarily.

After a colonial war, they allowed these colonies to become independent in 1954.

French

decolonisation in Asia

Bij instellingen kan je de Engelse ondertiteling automatisch vertalen in het Nederlands

Soekarno roept de onafhankelijk uit

17 August 1945

Sukarno proclaims independence

Filmpje nav 75 jaar einde WOII (15 aug 2020)

08:00

What is the meaning of the word 'Bersiap' (= Malay)?

1. Freedom
2. Peace
3. Beware
4. Attack

08:25

What was the name of the Dutch army in the East Indies?

1. Koninklijk Nationaal Indisch Leger / Royal Dutch East Indies Army
2. Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger / Royal Dutch East Indies Army
3. Koninklijk Nederlands Indonesisch Leger / Royal Dutch Indonesian Army
4. Koninklijk Nationaal Indonesisch Leger / Royal National Indonesian Army

08:34

Why did the Dutch call these military actions "police actions"?

Bersiap-period

autumn 1945- spring 1946

• Authority vacuum: unclear who really had the power, so pedoemas (young Indonesians) could do as they pleased (without intervention).

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

On the website of NPO kennis (see link next slide) the history of the independence of Indonesia, and its consequences, is explained in a simple but clear way.

https:

And now what...?

The English are around, but do not want a new war: the Netherlands has to solve it itself

The Netherlands does not want to acknowledge the independent Republic of Indonesia at all.

The Dutch government does not want to talk to Soekarno (traitor and rebel)

1st Police action
(July 1947 - Jan 1948)

Operation Product (Agresi 1): restoration of Dutch authority.

Deliberate choice for the name 'police' action and not for the word 'military' or 'war'.

Militarily a success, politically not: the Republic remained and there was a lot of criticism from abroadet woord 'militair', of 'oorlog'.

Militair een succes, politiek niet: Republiek bleef bestaan en er kwam veel kritiek uit het buitenland

2nd Police action
(Dec 1948 - Jan 1949)

Operation Crow (Agresi 2):
destroy Republic of Indonesia and capture leaders

The Netherlands wanted to settle quickly the unrest in the Dutch East Indies: cost too much money

Again, militarily speaking, a success (note: war crimes were committed on a large scale)

Should the Netherlands apologise for its role in Indonesia's colonial past?

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