During World War II (1942-1945) the Japanese occupied Indonesia. Just like Indonesia's previous colonists, the Portuguese and Dutch, the Japanese wanted the natural resources and a perfect trading location. When the Japanese occupied Indonesia they destroyed the idea that the Dutch were superior. The Dutch gave little resistance when the Japanese controlled their former centers of power. Indonesians gladly accepted the Japanese because they felt that after three centuries of western occupation and colonization they needed a dose of new Japanese ideas. The time of Japanese controlled Indonesia brought a great movement for self-defense for the first time in Indonesian history. (15,18)
On January 10th, 1942 the Japanese invaded Kalimantan (Tarakan) and Sulawesi (Manado). By the beginning of March 1942, most of Indonesia was under Japanese rule. On March 9th, 1942 the Dutch Commander surrendered to the Japanese. Also in 1942 Sukarno and Hatta agreed to cooperate with the Japanese officials, believing it was the best possible option to secure independence when the Japanese left. (7,31)
On July 7th, 1943 the Japanese prime minister visited Indonesia. In a speech given in Jakarta, Prime Minister Tojo promised that when the Japanese left Indonesia and returned to Japan that there would be a limited self-government under the Japanese rule. While the Japanese were in Indonesia there was a limited amount of self-rule. This gave Javanese and other Indonesian ethinic groups the chance to be involved in politics and the military. (7)
Although World War II brought great hardship and hunger to Indonesia under the Japanese’s cruel rule while occupying it, the Japanese also inspired something much more important - nationalistic ideas. Shortly after Japan’s surrender in World War II, Indonesia declared itself an independent country. (11,18)
Even though the Dutch retook control of Indonesia, Indonesian nationalist groups began to form and Indonesians resented the Dutch’s imperialism due to the ideas inspired by the Japanese. (15)
On January 10th, 1942 the Japanese invaded Kalimantan (Tarakan) and Sulawesi (Manado). By the beginning of March 1942, most of Indonesia was under Japanese rule. On March 9th, 1942 the Dutch Commander surrendered to the Japanese. Also in 1942 Sukarno and Hatta agreed to cooperate with the Japanese officials, believing it was the best possible option to secure independence when the Japanese left. (7,31)
On July 7th, 1943 the Japanese prime minister visited Indonesia. In a speech given in Jakarta, Prime Minister Tojo promised that when the Japanese left Indonesia and returned to Japan that there would be a limited self-government under the Japanese rule. While the Japanese were in Indonesia there was a limited amount of self-rule. This gave Javanese and other Indonesian ethinic groups the chance to be involved in politics and the military. (7)
Although World War II brought great hardship and hunger to Indonesia under the Japanese’s cruel rule while occupying it, the Japanese also inspired something much more important - nationalistic ideas. Shortly after Japan’s surrender in World War II, Indonesia declared itself an independent country. (11,18)
Even though the Dutch retook control of Indonesia, Indonesian nationalist groups began to form and Indonesians resented the Dutch’s imperialism due to the ideas inspired by the Japanese. (15)