Indonesian Revolution
For more than 300 years, Indonesians have been under Dutch control. The islands that were then called the Dutch East Indies have been colonized for their spices and other goods. It would be in 1908, the period that would now be known as the Year of the National Awakening (Tahun Kebangkitan Bangsa) when the Indonesian independence movement started to explode.
Ironically, it would take another empire to aid the Indonesians in their struggle for independence. During World War II, Indonesia would be occupied by the Empire of Japan, which encouraged the spreading of nationalist sentiments. Japan, however, would lose the war and on the 17th of August 1945, two days after their unconditional surrender, Sukarno, under pressure from various nationalist and youth groups, proclaimed the independence of the Republic of Indonesia from Japanese control.
The Dutch would immediately try to re-establish their control on the archipelago. The Indonesian Republicans, however, would resiliently resist the Dutch. After successive military victories by the Indonesians and through active international diplomacy, the world opinion would turn against the Dutch.
On the 27th of December 1949, the Netherlands formally recognized Indonesian Independence. Indonesia is finally free.
English translation of the video:
'Proclamation: We, the people of Indonesia, hereby declare the independence of Indonesia. Matters which concern the transfer of power and other things will be executed by careful means and in the shortest possible time. Jakarta, 17 August 1945. In the name of the people of Indonesia." (Translation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, October 1948).
