The beginning of struggle of the Indonesian anti-imperialists is quite old. It helped in keeping the flame of nationalism burning and opposed the activities of the Dutch people vehemently.
The first man who raised the voice against the Dutch was Prince Diponegoro, also known as Sultan Radja of Mataram.
He could not tolerate the cruel practices and policy of discrimination and warned the Dutch government of dire consequences, in case, they did not mend their manners.
He organised the people of East and Central Java and began the war of independence against the Dutch government.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
In spite of the superior forces the Dutch government could not get success against the princes; hence they resorted to treachery and arrested and exiled prince Diponegoro by declaring a cease-fire.
However, the Dutch people established their supremacy over Indonesia. In 1875 the people of Sumatra rose against the Dutch.
The rising continued for about thirty years and the Dutch failed to establish their influence in this area till the end of the Dutch colonial rule. Revolts in other parts of Indonesia also kept the anti-imperialist struggle alive.
National Awakening in Indonesia
ADVERTISEMENTS:
In the 20th century the spirit of nationalism grew strong in Indonesia and the anti-imperialist movement took a new shape.
The influence of western education inspired a great number of the people of Indonesia who were studying in Holland and they adopted western traditions.
They formed Budi Utomo, the first Indonesian Society in 1908. In the beginning it was a non-political cultural organization but later on, it assumed a political form.
Another organization known as Surekat Islam was also formed later on. It was based on the principles of Islam and its aim was to organise the industrialists.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
But with the passage of time it also developed political tendencies and demanded self-government for Indonesia within the Dutch Empire. The Dutch did not pay attention to their demands; hence they began to demand complete independence.
Although the Dutch government provided some facilities to the people of Indonesia during the First World War, they could not satisfy the Indonesian and they bitterly condemned the lapses of the Dutch administration in social and educational fields.
Factors Respond for Anti-Imperialist (National) Struggle
The following factors motivated the people of Indonesia to start anti-imperialist (National) struggle against the Dutch government:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
1. The people of Indonesia realised that every person has right of human dignity in social, economic and other fields. The intellectuals of Indonesia injected this idea in the minds of the people, and having realised the difference of liberal thought at home and abroad they started the national struggle.
2. The development in other countries also inspired the people of Indonesia to begin the anti-imperialist movement.
Rise of Japan as a world power, Chinese Revolution of 1911, the rise of nationalism in India and the Russian Revolution of 1917 provided impetus to this movement and feeling of nationalism grew in Indonesia.
3. The post-war economic crisis also helped the anti-imperialist struggle to flourish. The Dutch did not pay any attention to the economic interests of Indonesia which was resented by tie people. It gave birth to discontentment and disorder in various parts of the country.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The Dutch government adopted repressive methods to deal with the growing violence. Many political leaders were either exiled or sent to internment camps.
A large number of persons were assassinated as a token of warning to others, but the rising tide of nationalism could not be checked.
Organization of Indonesian Nationalist Party
The young nationalist revolutionaries formed Indonesian Nationalist Party under the leadership of Achmed Sukarno. It demanded complete independence.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Owing to the able leadership of Sukarno the party gained favour of the people very soon. The Dutch government was alarmed and dissolving the party, it imprisoned Sukarno and some other leaders.
One more party Pehimpunan Indonesia was also founded by the students of Indonesia studying abroad under the leadership of Dr. Mohd. Hatta. This party tried to develop the feeling of nationalism with the help of the elite in place of the general masses.
The Indonesian Nationalist Party put a great stress on one nation one flag and one language principle. The Party also adopted the emblem and symbol of free Indonesia and introduced National anthem at its meetings.
The government of Holland could not tolerate this growing nationalistic feeling and again resorted to repression. It arrested Dr. Hatta, Sukarno and some other prominent leaders and imprisoned them. It created chaos and confusion in the whole country.
The leaders of the Nationalist Party were released after some time. They again resorted to the revival of nationalist movement which was suppressed for the time being. The Dutch government again adopted the repressive methods and arrested the leaders.