5,2 Decolonisation in Asia

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

5.2 Decolonisation in South East Asia

5,2 Decolonisation in Asia

After studying this section you're able to:

- Explain how nationalist movements grew in Asian colonies

- Identify differences between the independence struggle of Indonesia and Malaysia

Asian colonies around 1900

• Indirect rule: The traditional hierarchy was kept in place. Until.....

• Growing numbers of educated Asians and the rise of Japan

Gouverneur-Generaal

Gouverneur

Resident

Binnenlands bestuur

Assistent-resident

Regent

Inlands bestuur

Districtshoofd

Onderdistrictshoofd

Dorpshoofd

Verdeelt het werk en betaalt het plantloon uit

Hoogste ambtenaar in Nederlands-Indië

Hoofd van een provincie

Controleur

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↓

↓

↓

↓

↓

↓

↓

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Javaanse vorsten

Ethical Politics: Dutch policy to do good for the native (Indonesian) population

Case study 1: Indonesia

Call for self-governance

Soekarno roept de onafhankelijk uit

17 August 1945

Sukarno proclaims independence

Bersiap-period

Aug. 1945- Nov. 1947

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

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

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 abroad 

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)

5.2 Decolonisation in South East Asia

Case study 2:Malaya

In Malaya, the British fought communists til the independance in 1957

UNDERTAKE POLICE ACTION

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

 ... are we declaring independence?

Aan de slag..

• Lees par 5.1
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