PreliminaryHistory of Indonesia covers a very long time span that began in prehistoric times by the "Java Man" at the time about 500,000 years ago. Period in the history of Indonesia can be divided into five age: pre-colonial era, the emergence of the kingdoms of the Hindu-Buddhism and Islam in Java and Sumatra, which mainly relies on trade; the colonial era, the influx of Europeans (mainly Dutch) who want spice lead colonization by the Dutch for about 3.5 centuries between the beginning of the 17th century until the mid-20th century: the era of independence, after the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence (1945) until the fall of Sukarno (1966); New Order era, the 32-year reign of Suharto (1966 -1998), as well as the reform era that lasted until now.
Prehistoric
Geologically, the territory of modern Indonesia appeared roughly around the time of the Pleistocene when still connected to the Asian mainland. The region's first settlers was a man known to Java at that time about 500,000 years ago. Indonesian archipelago such as the current is formed when the melting of ice after the end of the Ice Age.
Pre-colonial era
Indian scholars have written about Dwipantara or Dwipa Javanese Hindu kingdom in Java and Sumatra around 200 BC. Kingdom of West Java Tarumanagara master about the year 400. In the 425 years of Buddhism had reached the area. In Renaissance Europe, Java and Sumatra has had a legacy of old civilizations thousands of years and along the two great empires of Majapahit in Java and Sriwijaya in Sumatra, while the western part of Java island Tarumanagara inherit the kingdom and civilization of the Kingdom of Sunda.
Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms
In the 4th century until the 7th century in West Java, there are Hindu-Buddhist kingdom that is patterned Tarumanagara kingdom, followed by the Sunda kingdom until the 16th century. During the 7th century until the 14th century, Buddhist kingdom of Srivijaya in Sumatra growing rapidly. Explorers Chinese I Ching visited Palembang capital around the year 670. At their peak, the Srivijaya controlled as far as West Java and the Malay Peninsula. The 14th century also witnessed the rise of a Hindu kingdom in East Java, the Majapahit. Majapahit Patih between the years 1331 to 1364, Gajah Mada succeeded in obtaining power over the territory which now are mostly Indonesia and almost all the Malay Peninsula. The legacy of the Gajah Mada including the codification of law and in Javanese culture, as seen in the epic Ramayana.
Islamic empire
Islam as a government presence in Indonesia around the 12th century, but in fact Islam had already entered Indonesia in the seventh century AD. At that time there has been a busy shipping lanes and is international through the Malacca Strait that connects the Tang Dynasty in China, the Srivijaya in Southeast Asia and the Umayyads in West Asia since the 7th century. According to Chinese sources by the end of the third quarter of 7th century, Arab traders became a leader of the Arab Muslim settlements on the coast of Sumatra. Islam also gives effect to the existing political institutions. This is evident in the year 100 H (718 AD) King of Srivijaya Jambi named Srindravarman send a letter to the Caliph 'Umar ibn' Abdul 'Aziz of Bani Umayyad Caliphate request sent da `i, which could explain Islam to her. The letter reads: "From the King of Kings who is the descendant of a thousand kings, whose wife is also grandson of a thousand kings, who in the animal cages are a thousand elephants, who in his area there are two rivers that irrigate the tree aloes, spices fragrance, nutmeg and lime the fragrant scent balls to reach out to a distance of 12 miles, to the King of Arabia who do not associate other gods with God.
I've send you a gift, which is actually a gift that is not so much, but just a sign of friendship. I want you to send me someone who can teach Islam to me and explained to me about the laws. "Two years later, the year 720 AD, King Srindravarman, which was originally Hindu, converted to Islam. Sriwijaya Jambi also known by the name of Islam Sribuza. Unfortunately, in 730 AD captured by Jambi Sriwijaya Sriwijaya Palembang who still adhered to Buddhism.Islam continues to mengokoh into political institutions that carry Islam. For example, an Islamic sultanate called Sultanate was founded on 1st Muharram Peureulak 225H 839M or 12 November of that year. Another example is the kingdom of Ternate. Islam entered the kingdom in the Maluku islands this year 1440. Imagine a Muslim king named Ullah.
Islamic sultanate semikin then spread his teachings to the people and through assimilation, replaced Hinduism as the main trust at the end of the 16th century in Java and Sumatra. Retaining only the Balinese Hindu majority. On the islands in the east, religion-Christian and Islamic clergy are known already active in the 16th century and 17th, and today there are a large majority of both religions on these islands.
The spread of Islam carried / pushed through trade relations outside the archipelago; this, because the preachers are spreading propaganda or government representatives of Islam who came from outside Indonesia, then to support themselves and their families, these preachers work through trade, preachers even this spread Islam to the traders of the natives, until the merchants are embracing Islam and transmit same to the rest of the population, as most traders and experts kingdom / empire was the first to adopt the new religion. Sultanate / Kingdom of importance including Pasai Ocean, the Sultanate of Banten which established diplomatic relations with European countries, the kingdom of Mataram in Yogya / Central Java, and the Sultanate and the Sultanate of Ternate in the Moluccas in eastern Tidore.
Dutch colonization
Starting in 1602 the Netherlands gradually became ruler of what is now Indonesia, by exploiting divisions among small kingdoms that had replaced Majapahit. The only thing not affected is of Portuguese Timor, which remains controlled by Portugal until 1975, when integrated into the Indonesian province of East Timor named. Dutch controlled Indonesia for nearly 350 years, except for a short period in which a fraction of Indonesia ruled Britain after the Anglo-Dutch Java War and the Japanese occupation during World War II. When Indonesia invaded, the Netherlands developed the Netherlands East Indies into one of the world's richest colonial rule. 350 years of Dutch colonialism for some people is a myth because the newly conquered territory of Aceh after the Dutch and then approaching bankruptcy.
VOC
In the 17th century Dutch East Indies and 18 are not controlled directly by the Dutch government but by a trading company called the Dutch East Indies Company (Dutch: Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie or VOC). VOC has been granted a monopoly on trade and colonial activity in the area by the Dutch Parliament in 1602. Headquarters are in Batavia, now Jakarta.
VOC main purpose is to maintain its monopoly on the spice trade in the archipelago. This is done through the use and threat of violence against the population in the islands spice, and against people of non-Dutch residents tried to trade with them. For example, when the Islanders continue to sell Banda nutmeg to British merchants, the Dutch troops killed or deported virtually the entire population and then populating the islands with the servants or slaves who worked in the nutmeg plantations. VOC became involved in the internal politics of Java in this period, and fought in several battles involving the leaders of Mataram and Banten.
After the VOC went bankrupt at the end of the 18th century and after a short British rule under Thomas Stamford Raffles, the Dutch government took over ownership of the VOC in 1816. A Javanese uprising was crushed in the Java War in 1825-1830. After 1830 the system of forced cultivation, known in Dutch as a culture system was implemented. In this system, the residents were forced to plant the results of the plantation that became the world market demand at that time, such as tea, coffee, etc.. Crop was then exported to foreign countries. These systems bring great wealth to the executive - both the Dutch and the Indonesian. This cultivation system is a government monopoly and was abolished in the more free time after 1870.
In 1901 the Dutch adopted what they called the Ethical Policy (Dutch: Ethische Politiek), which included greater investment in education for indigenous people, and little political change. Under the governor-general of J.B. van Heutsz Dutch East Indies government extending direct colonial rule throughout the Dutch East Indies, and with it established the foundation for the current state of Indonesia.
Nationalist movement
In 1905 the first nationalist movement, [Islamic Trade Unions] was formed and then followed in 1908 by a nationalist movement that followed, [Budi Utomo]. Holland responded that after World War I with oppressive measures. Nationalist leaders came from a small group of young professionals and students, some of whom have been educated in the Netherlands. Many of those imprisoned for political activities, including Indonesia's first president, Sukarno.
World War II
In May 1940, the beginning of World War II, the Netherlands was occupied by Nazi Germany. Dutch East Indies declared a state of siege and in July divert exports to Japan to the United States and Britain. Negotiations with Japan aimed at securing supplies of aviation fuel in June 1941 failed, and the Japanese conquest of Southeast Asia starting in December of that year. In the same month, factions from Sumatra to receive Japanese aid to bring about a revolution against Dutch rule. The last Dutch forces were defeated Japan in March 1942.
Japanese Era
In July 1942, Sukarno accepted Japan's offer to hold a public campaign and form a government that can also provide answers to the needs of the Japanese military. Sukarno, Mohammad Hatta, and the Kyai decorated by the Emperor of Japan in 1943. However, the experience of mastery of the Japanese in Indonesia vary widely, depending on where one lives and social status of the person. For those who live in areas that are considered important in warfare, they suffered torture, sexual slavery involved, arbitrary detention and the death penalty, and other war crimes. The Dutch and Dutch-Indonesian mixture is a target in the mastery of Japanese.
In March 1945 the Japanese established the Enterprise Investigation Preparation of Indonesian Independence (BPUPKI). At its first meeting in May, Soepomo discuss national integration and against personal individualism; while Muhammad Yamin suggested that the new state was also once claimed to Sarawak, Sabah, Malay, Portuguese East, and throughout the Dutch East Indies before the war.On August 9, 1945 Sukarno, Hatta and Radjiman Widjodiningrat flown to Vietnam to meet with Marshal Terauchi. They reported that Japanese troops were to destruction but the Japanese wanted the independence of Indonesia on August 24.
The era of independence
Hearing the news that Japan no longer has the power to make such a decision on August 16, Sukarno read "Proclamation" on the next day. News of the proclamation spread via radio and leaflets while the Indonesian military forces in time of war, Homeland Defense Forces (PETA), the youth, and others immediately set out to maintain the residence of Sukarno.
On August 18, 1945 the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI) inaugurated as President Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta as Vice President by the Constitution designed a few days earlier. Later formed the Central Indonesian National Committee (KNIP) as a temporary parliament until elections can be held. This group declared a new government on August 31 and wants the Republic of Indonesia which consists of 8 provinces: Sumatra, Borneo (excluding the territory of Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei), West Java, Central Java, East Java, Sulawesi, Maluku (including Papua) and Nusa Southeast.
War of independence
From 1945 to 1949, the Australian maritime union sympathizing with the effort for independence, banned all Dutch shipping during this conflict that the Netherlands does not have the logistical support and supplies necessary to reshape the colonial power.
Dutch attempt to return to power facing strong resistance. After returning to Java, Dutch forces soon recaptured the colonial capital of Batavia, as a result of the nationalists as the capital of Jogjakarta make them. On December 27, 1949 (see article on December 27, 1949), after four years of war and negotiation, Queen Juliana of the Netherlands transferring sovereignty to the Federal government of Indonesia. In 1950, Indonesia became the 60th member of the UN.
Parliamentary democracy
Not long after, Indonesia adopted a new law that consists of the parliamentary system in which the executive council elected by and responsible to the parliament or Assembly. Assembly divided the political parties before and after the first election in 1955, so that a stable coalition government difficult to achieve.The role of Islam in Indonesia be a tricky thing. Soekarno prefer a secular state based on Pancasila while some Muslim groups prefer an Islamic state or a statute that contains a section that requires Muslims subject to Islamic law.
Guided Democracy
A failed uprising in Sumatra, Sulawesi, West Java and other islands which started since 1958, plus the failure of the Assembly to develop a new constitution, weakened the parliamentary system of Indonesia. Consequently in 1959 when President Soekarno unilaterally revived the provisional 1945 constitution, which gives a great presidential power, he did not encounter many obstacles.
From 1959 to 1965, President Sukarno's authoritarian regime came to power in under the label of "Guided Democracy". He is also Indonesia's foreign policy shift towards non-alignment, a policy supported by the leaders of important countries of the former colonies who rejected formal alliances with the Western Bloc and the Soviet Bloc. The leaders gathered in Bandung, West Java in 1955 in the Asia-Africa Summit to establish a foundation which later became the Non-Aligned Movement.In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Sukarno moved closer to Asian communist countries and the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) in the country. Although PKI is the world's largest communist party outside the Soviet Union and China, its mass support never show obedience to the party's ideological communists like in other countries.
Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation
Sukarno opposed the formation of the Federation of Malaysia and said that it was a "neo-colonial plan" to facilitate British commercial plans in the region. In addition to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, it is considered would extend the influence of Western imperialism in Asia and provide a gap to the UK and Australia to influence the regional politics of Asia. Responding to the UN's decision to recognize the sovereignty of Malaysia and make Malaysia tetab not members of UN Security Council, President Sukarno of Indonesia announced its withdrawal from membership of the United Nations on January 20, 1965 and founded the New Power Conference (CONEFO) as opposed to the United Nations and as a counterpoint Ganefo Olympics. In this confrontation also then lead to a battle between the forces of Indonesia and Malaysia (which is assisted by the British).
The fate of West New Guinea West Papua Conflict
At the time of independence, the Dutch government to maintain control over the western half of the island of New Guinea (Irian), and permitted steps toward self-government and the declaration of independence on December 1, 1961.
Negotiations with the Dutch on the incorporation of the territory into Indonesia failed, and the Indonesian army parachutists landed in New Guinea on 18 December before a battle ensued between Indonesian and Dutch troops in 1961 and 1962. In 1962 the United States pressed the Dutch to agree to conduct secret talks with Indonesia which produces the New York Agreement in August 1962, and Indonesia took control of Irian Jaya terhadapa on May 1, 1963.
Negotiations with the Dutch on the incorporation of the territory into Indonesia failed, and the Indonesian army parachutists landed in New Guinea on 18 December before a battle ensued between Indonesian and Dutch troops in 1961 and 1962. In 1962 the United States pressed the Dutch to agree to conduct secret talks with Indonesia which produces the New York Agreement in August 1962, and Indonesia took control of Irian Jaya terhadapa on May 1, 1963.
30 September Movement / PKI G30 S
Until 1965, the CPI has mastered many of Sukarno's mass organizations formed to strengthen support for his regime and, with the approval of Sukarno, began a campaign to establish a "Fifth Force" by arming its supporters. Military leaders opposed this.
On 30 September 1965, six senior generals and several others were killed in a coup attempt blamed on the palace guard loyal to the Communist Party. Commander of the Army Strategic Command at the time, Major General Suharto, crushed the coup and turned against the PKI. Suharto then use this situation to take over power. More than tens of thousands of people accused of communist then killed. Death toll reaches at least 500,000 in 1966, the most severe occurred in Java and Bali.
New Order
After Suharto became president, the first one he did was to enroll Indonesia became a member of the UN again. Indonesia on 19 September 1966 announced that Indonesia "intends to continue cooperation with the United Nations and continued participation in UN activities", and became a member of the United Nations back on September 28, 1966, exactly 16 years after Indonesia accepted the first time.
In 1968, the Assembly was officially inaugurated Soeharto for a term of 5 years as president, and he was then sworn in again in a row in 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, and 1998.President Suharto start the "New Order" in Indonesian politics and dramatically change the foreign policy and domestic routes from Soekarno at the end of his term. New Order chose improvements and economic development as its primary purpose and travel policies through an administrative structure dominated by the military but with advice from Western-educated economic experts. During his reign, these policies, and the exploitation of natural resources on a large-scale generating substantial economic growth, but uneven in Indonesia. For example, the number of hungry people reduced by large in the 1970's and 1980's. He also enrich himself, his family, and co-Sticking close by rampant corruption.
Irian Jaya
After refusing the supervision of the UN, the Indonesian government implemented "Act of Free Choice" (Free Choice Action) in Irian Jaya in 1969 where the 1025 vice heads of regions of Irian selected and then given training in the Indonesian language. They ultimately chose to join the consensus Indonesia. A UN General Assembly resolution and ensure transfer of power to Indonesia. The rejection of Indonesian rule raises the activity of small-scale guerrilla activity in the years following the transfer of these powers. In a more open atmosphere after 1998, these statements more explicit who want independence from Indonesia has emerged.
East Timor
From 1596 to 1975, East Timor was a Portuguese colony on the island of Timor, known as Portuguese Timor and separated from the north coast of Australia by the Timor Sea. As a result of political events in Portugal, Portuguese officials abruptly withdrew from East Timor in 1975. In local elections in 1975, Fretilin, the party that led in part by the people who brought Marxism, and UDT, the largest parties, having previously formed an alliance to campaign for independence from Portugal.
On December 7, 1975, Indonesian troops entered East Timor. Indonesia, which has a material and diplomatic support, assisted equipment supplied weaponry the United States and Australia, hopes to have East Timor they will acquire additional oil and natural gas reserves and strategic location.In the early days, the Indonesian military (ABRI) kills nearly 200,000 East Timorese - through murder, forced starvation and others. Many human rights violations committed during East Timor within Indonesia territory.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East Timor voted to secede from Indonesia in a UN vote held. Approximately 99% of the voting population participated; 3/4-nya voted for independence. Immediately after the result was announced, is rumored that the continued destruction of the Indonesian military in East Timor, such as damage to infrastructure in the area.In October 1999, 1976 MPR decree canceling integrate East Timor into Indonesia, and the United Nations Transitional Authority (UNTAET) took over responsibility for governing East Timor to full independence achieved in May 2002.
The economic crisis
Soeharto announced his resignation was accompanied by BJ Habibie.In mid 1997, Indonesia was attacked Asian financial crisis and the economy (for details see: The Asian financial crisis), accompanied by the worst drought in 50 years and the price of oil, gas and other export commodities are increasingly falling. Rupiah falls, inflation rose sharply, and the accelerated movement of capital. The demonstrators, who initially led the students, asking for the resignation of Suharto. In the midst of mass turmoil the widespread anger, as well as thousands of students occupying the building DPR / MPR, Suharto resigned on May 21, 1998, three months after the MPR melantiknya for the seventh term of office. Suharto then choose the Vice-President, B. J. Habibie, to become the third president of Indonesia.
The Habibie government reform era
President Habibie immediately form a Cabinet. One important task is to re-gain the support of the International Monetary Fund and the community of donor countries for the economic recovery program. He also freed political prisoners and reduce controls on freedom of expression and activities of the organization.
Wahid government
Elections for the MPR, DPR and DPRD held on June 7, 1999. PDI-P leader Sukarno's daughter, Megawati Sukarnoputri came out a winner in parliamentary elections by getting 34% of all votes; Golkar (Suharto's party - has always been a winner before previous elections) to obtain 22%; the United Development Party leader Hamzah Haz 12%; Party National Awakening leader Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) 10%. In October 1999, the Assembly inaugurated as president Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati as vice president for a term of 5 years. Wahid formed his first cabinet, the National Unity Cabinet in early November 1999 and to reshuffle his cabinet in August 2000.
President Wahid's government to continue the process of democratization and economic development under challenging situations. In addition to the economic uncertainty continues, the government also faces a conflict of inter-ethnic and inter-religious, especially in Aceh, Maluku and Papua. In West Timor, a problem that caused the East Timorese people who do not have a place to live and mayhem committed by the militant pro-Indonesia East Timorese cause humanitarian problems and greater social. MPR is increasingly putting pressure challenging the policies of President Wahid, causing political debate overwhelming.
Megawati government
In the first parliamentary session in August 2000, President Wahid provide accountability reports. On January 29, 2001, thousands of demonstrators stormed the Assembly and requested the President to resign by reason of his involvement in a corruption scandal. Under pressure from the Assembly to improve the management and coordination within the government, he circulated a presidential decree giving the state power daily to the vice president Megawati. Megawati took over as president shortly afterwards.
The Yudhoyono government
In 2004, the biggest one-day elections are held in the world and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono appears as the new president of Indonesia. The new government at the beginning of his tenure has received numerous trials and challenges, such as major earthquakes in Aceh and Nias in December 2004 that meluluh lantakkan part of Aceh as well as other earthquakes in early 2005 that rocked Sumatra.On July 17, 2005, an historic agreement was reached between the Indonesian government and Free Aceh Movement aimed at ending a 30-year long conflict in Aceh.
