5.4 The Indonesian Independence

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5.4 The Indonesian Independence

Japan surrenders

15th 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

• autumn 1945-spring 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: 1-4

Pairs

25 minutes

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