What this lesson teaches
I can weigh up how fear of communism during the Cold War shaped the path to independence in Southeast Asia.
Syllabus K330, Decolonisation and establishment of newly independent nations in Southeast Asia, Learning Outcomes. Assess how the Cold War politics affected the struggle for independence in Southeast Asia.
Make a guess
In September 1948 communists rebelled against the Republic at Madiun, and the Republic crushed the revolt. How do you think the USA reacted?
- It began to see the Republic as a non-communist partner worth backing.
- It sent troops to help the communist rebels.
- It backed the Dutch more strongly in their war against the Republic.
Show the answer
It began to see the Republic as a non-communist partner worth backing.
In the Cold War, the US feared communism in Asia. Madiun showed the Republic was not communist.
When the Republic crushed a communist revolt at Madiun in 1948, the US saw it as a non-communist partner worth supporting.
Madiun is a town in East Java. In September 1948, communists there rebelled against Sukarno and Hatta's government. The Republic's forces put the revolt down. This was a fight inside Indonesia over who should lead it.
It was the Cold War, the rivalry between communist and Western powers. The US feared communism spreading in Asia. By crushing Madiun, the Republic showed it was not communist. If Dutch attacks destroyed it, the US could lose a partner that could stand up to communists. Backing the Dutch might also push nationalists away from the US.
So Madiun made the US more willing to support a deal with the Republic. It did not end Dutch attacks at once. Resistance and UN pressure still mattered.
- September 1948
- Communist revolt at Madiun, East Java.
- Result
- Republican forces crush the revolt.
- US view
- The Republic could be a non-communist partner.
Worked example: How a revolt at home changed US policy
Explain why the Republic's defeat of the Madiun revolt mattered abroad.
- The Republic crushes a communist revolt.
- The US now sees it as a non-communist government.
- So the US is more willing to press the Dutch to negotiate with it.
Watch out for this
Madiun was a communist revolt led by the Republic.
The communists rebelled against the Republic, and the Republic defeated them.
Check your understanding
Why did the Madiun revolt make the US more supportive of the Republic?
- It ended Dutch attacks on the Republic straight away.
- The Republic defeated the communists, showing it could be a non-communist partner.
- The Republic led the revolt to win Soviet and Chinese allies abroad.
Show the answer
The Republic defeated the communists, showing it could be a non-communist partner.
Yes. That mattered to the US during the Cold War.
Check your understanding
Why did the Republic's defeat of the communist revolt at Madiun in 1948 matter to the USA?
- It showed the Republic was anti-communist and worth backing.
- It made the USA back Dutch rule to stop communism spreading.
- It proved the Dutch were winning the war against the Republic.
Show the answer
It showed the Republic was anti-communist and worth backing.
Madiun made the USA more willing to back a deal with the Republic.