European Colonization of Indonesia Overview

Aug 19, 2024

Overview of European Colonization in the Indonesian Archipelago

Introduction

  • Discussed previous occupations by the Portuguese and Spanish.
  • Focus on other European nations: French and British.

French Colonization

  • Timeframe: Early 19th century.
  • Dutch East Indies already established.
  • French colonization occurred indirectly through Dutch control.

Dutch East India Company (VOC)

  • Founded in 1602, initiated Dutch presence.
  • VOC aimed to control trade in the region.
  • Established bases in Java, Maluku, Sulawesi, Sumatra, and Malay Peninsula.
  • Disbanded on Dec 31, 1799 due to corruption.

Transition to French Control

  • Dutch territories became known as Netherlands Indies.
  • French influence increased after the Dutch fell into French control under Napoleon.
  • Louis Bonaparte appointed as king of the Dutch kingdom.
  • Marshal Herman Willem Daendels sent to Batavia as governor-general.

Daendels' Reforms

  • Centralized administration, divided Java into 9 regions.
  • Initiated infrastructure projects: hospitals, military barracks, and roads.
  • Constructed the postal highway (1100 km) with forced labor, leading to many deaths.
  • Known for harsh, authoritarian rule.

British Colonization

  • Timeline: Began in the 16th century with Sir Francis Drake.
  • British East India Company (EIC) established trade relations.
  • Established forts in Banten and Batavia.

Transition to British Control

  • British took control of Dutch East Indies in 1811.
  • Lord Minto in Calcutta appointed Thomas Stamford Raffles as lieutenant governor-general.

Raffles' Administration

  • Established positive relations with local rulers.
  • Implemented three principles:
    1. Mandatory tributes replaced forced labor with free cultivation.
    2. Included regents in the colonial government.
    3. Government land ownership recognized.
  • Conducted military expeditions, notably the attack on Yogyakarta (June 21, 1812).
  • Promoted archaeological and cultural studies of Java.

End of British Occupation

  • British rule ended in 1815 after the Napoleonic Wars.
  • Dutch East Indies returned in 1816.
  • British presence in Benkullen led by Raffles brought benefits.
  • Raffles created Singapore as a trading hub.

Post-World War II

  • British troops returned to Indonesia as allies in September 1945.
  • Intended to secure the territory and disarm Japanese forces.
  • Led to resistance and battles during the Indonesian national revolution.
  • British officially withdrew in November 1946.