What this lesson teaches
I can weigh up how the returning European powers responded to demands for independence, by force or by talks.
Syllabus K330, Decolonisation and establishment of newly independent nations in Southeast Asia, Learning Outcomes. Assess the responses by the European powers to Southeast Asia's struggle for independence.
Make a guess
In December 1948 Dutch forces captured the Republic's capital, Yogyakarta, and arrested Sukarno and Hatta. What do you think happened to the Republic?
- It collapsed, and Dutch colonial rule was restored across the islands.
- It survived, through guerrilla fighters and an emergency government.
- Its army surrendered and agreed to join the Dutch forces.
Show the answer
It survived, through guerrilla fighters and an emergency government.
Capturing leaders did not end resistance. Guerrillas fought on, and an emergency government kept the Republic alive.
The Dutch captured towns and leaders, but guerrilla fighters and an emergency government kept the Republic alive.
The Netherlands tried to restore its colonial rule after 1945. At first, British-led Allied forces, including Indian troops, arrived to accept Japan's surrender, free prisoners and restore order. Dutch officials also tried to take back control.
In 1945, Indonesian fighters battled British and Indian troops at Surabaya in East Java. This was separate from the later Dutch attacks. It showed that returning European forces would face resistance, and the human cost was heavy.
Dutch offensives in 1947 and December 1948 captured territory. In December 1948, Dutch forces seized Yogyakarta, the Republic's capital, and arrested Sukarno, Hatta and other leaders. The Dutch called these attacks police actions, as if they were just restoring order in their own territory. The label claimed an authority the Republic rejected.
The Republic did not collapse. Guerrillas kept fighting, using mobile attacks instead of trying to hold cities against a stronger army. An emergency Republican government carried on in Sumatra after the leaders were captured. So taking the capital did not end organised resistance or make Dutch rule accepted.
- Surabaya, 1945
- Indonesians fight British and Indian troops.
- Police actions
- Dutch attacks of 1947 and December 1948.
- December 1948
- Dutch take Yogyakarta and arrest Sukarno and Hatta.
Worked example: A captured capital, a surviving Republic
Dutch forces take Yogyakarta and arrest Republican leaders in December 1948.
- The Dutch now hold the capital and the top leaders.
- But guerrillas keep fighting and an emergency government works from Sumatra.
- So the Dutch still do not have accepted control.
Watch out for this
The Republic ended when its leaders were captured in Yogyakarta.
Guerrilla fighters and an emergency government in Sumatra kept the Republic going.
Check your understanding
Why did capturing Yogyakarta not end the Republic?
- The Dutch released Sukarno and Hatta the next day under UN pressure.
- Britain took over the fight on the Republic's behalf.
- Guerrillas kept fighting and an emergency government continued in Sumatra.
Show the answer
Guerrillas kept fighting and an emergency government continued in Sumatra.
Yes. The Republic survived outside the capital.