Preliminary
History of Indonesia covers a very long time span, which 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-Buddhist and Islam in Java and Sumatra, which mainly relies on trade; colonial era, the introduction of the Europeans (especially the Netherlands) who wants the 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); and the reform era, which 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 the time about 500,000 years ago. The Indonesian archipelago, such as existing at the time of melting of ice formed 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 425 Buddhism reached the area. In Renaissance Europe, Java and Sumatra has had thousands of years old civilization heritage and along two major kingdoms of Majapahit in Java and Sriwijaya in Sumatra, while the western part of Java island kingdom inherited the civilization of Tarumanagara and the Kingdom of Sunda.
Hindu-Buddhist kingdom
In the 4th century until the 7th century in the region of West Java, there are Hindu-Buddhist kingdom that is patterned Tarumanagara kingdom, followed by the Sundanese 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 the capital of Palembang around the year 670. At the height of glory, 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, Majapahit. Majapahit Patih between the years 1331 to 1364, Gajah Mada managed to obtain power over the territory that is now mostly Indonesia and almost all the Malay Peninsula. The legacy of the Gajah Mada, including codification of law and in Javanese culture, as seen in the epic Ramayana.
Islamic Kingdom
Islam as a government presence in Indonesia around the 12th century, but in fact Islam has already arrived in Indonesia in the 7th century AD. It was already a busy shipping lane and become 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, became the leader of an Arab merchant Muslim Arab settlements on the coast of Sumatra. Islam also gives effect to the existing political institutions. This is apparent 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 who can explain Islam to him. The letter reads: "From the King in the King who is the descendant of a thousand kings, whose wife was also grandson of a thousand kings, who in the animal cages are a thousand elephants, whose territory there are two rivers that irrigate the tree aloes, spices fragrance, nutmeg and lime lines that fragrant smell to reach out to a distance of 12 miles, to the Arab King who does not associate other gods with God.
I have sent 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 explain to me about its laws. "Two years later, the year 720 AD, King Srindravarman, which was originally Hindu, converted to Islam. Sriwijaya Jambi Sribuza also known by the name of Islam. Unfortunately, in 730 AD captured by Jambi Sriwijaya Sriwijaya Palembang who still adhered to Buddhism.
Islam continues to mengokoh become a political institution who carry Islam. For example, an Islamic sultanate called the Sultanate of Peureulak established on 1 Muharram 225H 839M or 12 November of that year. Another example is the kingdom of Ternate. Islam arrived in this kingdom in the Maluku islands in 1440. Its king, a Muslim named Bayang Ullah.
Islamic Sultanate then semikin 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. Only Bali that still retain the majority Hindus. On the islands in the east, Churchman-known Christian and Muslim clergy has been active in the 16th century and 17, and currently there are a large majority of both religions on these islands.
The spread of Islam carried / pushed through trade relations outside the archipelago; this case, because the spreading propaganda or mubaligh an envoy of the Islamic government that came from outside Indonesia, then to feed themselves and their families, the mubaligh this work through how to trade, the mubaligh even this spread Islam to the traders from the natives, until the merchants are embracing Islam and also transmit to other residents, as most traders and experts kingdom / empire was the first to adopt the new religion. Sultanate / Kingdom of importance include Ocean Pasai, Sultanate of Banten, which establish diplomatic relations with European countries, the Kingdom of Mataram in Yogja / 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 the ruler of the territory which is now Indonesia, by exploiting divisions among small kingdoms that had replaced Majapahit. The only thing that is not affected is the former Portuguese colony, which remains controlled by Portugal until 1975, when integrated into the Indonesian province called East Timor. The Dutch controlled Indonesia for nearly 350 years, except for a short period in which a small part of Indonesia ruled Britain after the British-Dutch Java War and the period of Japanese occupation during World War II. When colonize Indonesia, Netherlands East Indies Netherlands developed into one of the world's richest colonial power. 350 years of Dutch colonialism for some people is a myth because the new Aceh region was conquered later after the Dutch near bankruptcy.
VOC
In the 17th century the 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 given monopoly rights to trade and colonial activity in the area by the Dutch Parliament in 1602. Its headquarters are in Batavia, now called 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 who tried to trade with their resident. For example, when the population continues to sell the Banda Islands, nutmeg to English 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 become involved in internal politics of Java in this period, and fought in several battles involving leaders of Mataram and Banten.
After the VOC went bankrupt in the late 18th century and after a short British rule under Thomas Stamford Raffles, the Dutch government took over ownership of the VOC in 1816. A rebellion was crushed in Java Diponegoro War in 1825-1830. After 1830 the system of forced cultivation, known as cultuurstelsel in the Dutch language were adopted. In this system, the residents were forced to plant the results of the plantation that became the world market demand at the time, such as tea, coffee, etc.. Results plants were then exported to foreign countries. These systems bring great wealth to the implementer - both the Dutch and the Indonesian. Forced 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 J.B. van Heutsz Dutch East Indies government extending direct colonial rule throughout the Dutch East Indies, and with it established the foundation for Indonesia's current state.
Nationalism movement
In 1905 the first nationalist movement, [Islamic Trade Union] was formed and was followed in 1908 by the nationalist movements that followed, [Budi Utomo]. The Dutch responded after World War I by the steps of oppression. Nationalist leaders came from small groups consisting 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 state of siege and in July transferred to Japanese exports to the U.S. and Britain. Negotiations with the Japanese aimed to secure supplies of fuel the plane failed in June 1941, and the Japanese started their conquest of Southeast Asia in December of that year. In the same month, factions from Sumatra receive Japanese aid to bring about a revolution against the Dutch government. Dutch troops who last 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 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 the Japanese occupation in Indonesia is very varied, depending on where someone lives and social status of the person. For those who live in areas that are considered important in warfare, they suffered torture, involved sex slavery, arbitrary detention and the death penalty, and other war crimes. The Dutch and Indonesian-Dutch mix is the target of the Japanese occupation.
In March 1945 the Japanese established the Enterprise Investigation Preparation of Indonesian Independence (BPUPKI). At its first meeting in May, Soepomo talk about national integration and against personal individualism; while Muhammad Yamin suggested that the new state was also once claimed to Sarawak, Sabah, Malaya, the 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 24 August.
The era of independence
Hearing the news that Japan no longer has the power to make decisions like that on Aug. 16, Sukarno read the "Proclamation" on the next day. The news of the proclamation spread via radio and leaflets while the Indonesian military forces during the 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 East Nusa Southeast.
Independence War
From 1945 to 1949, Australian maritime union are sympathetic to the business of independence, banned all Dutch shipping during this conflict for the Netherlands do not have the logistical support and supplies needed to re-establish colonial rule.
Dutch business to return to power faced strong resistance. After returning to Java, Dutch forces soon recaptured the colonial capital of Batavia, as a result of the Yogyakarta as the capital of nationalist making them. On December 27, 1949 (see article on December 27, 1949), after 4 years of warfare and negotiations, 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. MPR 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 has become a complicated matter. Soekarno prefer a secular state based on Pancasila while some Muslim groups prefer an Islamic state or a law 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 began 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 1945 a temporary constitution, which gives a great presidential power, he did not encounter many obstacles.
From 1959 to 1965, President Sukarno ruled in an authoritarian regime under the label of "Guided Democracy." He is also Indonesia's foreign policy shift towards non-aligned, the policy supported 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, the Soekarno moved closer to Asian communist countries and the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) in the country. Although PKI is the world's largest communist party outside the Soviet Union and China, its mass support never showed any ideological obedience to the communist party as in other countries.
Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation
Sukarno opposed the formation of the Federation of Malaysia and said that it is a "neo-colonial plan" to facilitate British commercial plans in the region. In addition, with the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, as it would extend the influence of Western imperialism in Asia and give the crack to the United Kingdom 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 the UN Security Council, President Sukarno of Indonesia announced the resignation of the UN membership on 20 January 1965 and founded the New Power Conference (CONEFO) as opposed to the United Nations and Ganefo as counter-Olympics. In this confrontation that later resulted in fighting between Indonesia and Malaysia (which is assisted by the British).
The fate of West Irian, West Papua Conflict
At the time of independence, the Dutch government to retain power against the western island of New Guinea (Irian), and allowing the steps toward self-government and the declaration of independence on December 1, 1961.
Negotiations with the Dutch on the incorporation of the region with Indonesia failed, and forces Indonesian paratroopers landed in New Guinea on December 18, before then there was fighting between Indonesian troops and the Netherlands 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 PKI had taken control of much of the mass organizations formed by Sukarno to strengthen support for his regime and, with the approval of Sukarno, began a campaign to establish a "Fifth Force" by arming supporters. Military leaders opposed this.
On 30 September 1965, six senior generals and some other people were killed in a coup attempt blamed on the palace guards loyal to the PKI. 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 and then killed. The number of fatalities in 1966 reached at least 500,000; the most severe in Java and Bali.
New Order Era
After Suharto became President, one of the first to do is register Indonesia became a member of the UN again. Indonesia on 19 September 1966 announced that Indonesia "intends to continue cooperation with the UN and to continue 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 Suharto for a term of 5 years as president, and he then re-elected successively in 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, and 1998.
President Soeharto started "New Order" in Indonesian politics and dramatically change the foreign policy and the country from the path taken by Sukarno at the end of his term. New Order chose repair and economic development as its primary purpose and travel policies through an administrative structure dominated by the military but with advice from Western economists trained. During his reign, these policies, and exploitation of natural resources on a large scale to produce great economic growth but not evenly distributed in Indonesia. For example, the number of hungry people reduced to the magnitude of the 1970's and 1980's. He also enrich himself, his family, and co-Sticking close by rampant corruption.
Irian Jaya
After rejecting the supervision of the UN, the Indonesian government implement the "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 finally chose to join the consensus of Indonesia. A UN General Assembly resolution and ensure transfer of power to Indonesia. The rejection of Indonesian rule led guerrilla activities of small scale in the years following the transfer of these powers. In a more open atmosphere after 1998, the statements that is more explicit for 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, a party that led in part by people who bring understanding of 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, aided 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 during East Timor within Indonesia.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East Timor voted to secede from Indonesia in a ballot held by the United Nations. Approximately 99% of the voting population participated; 3/4-nya voted for independence. Immediately after the results were announced, reported that the Indonesian military in East Timor continued vandalism, such as damage to infrastructure in the area.
In October 1999, 1976 MPR decree canceling integrate East Timor into Indonesian territory, and the United Nations Transitional Authority (UNTAET) took over responsibility for governing East Timor to full independence achieved in May 2002.
The economic crisis
Suharto announced his resignation, 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 capital movement is accelerated. 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 occupied the parliament building, Suharto resigned on May 21, 1998, three months after the MPR anoint 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 frees political prisoners and reduce controls on freedom of opinion and the activities of the organization.
Wahid government
Elections to the Assembly, the Parliament, and Parliament was held on June 7, 1999. Democratic Party of Struggle led Sukarno's daughter, Megawati Sukarnoputri came out a winner in parliamentary elections by securing 34% of all votes; Golkar (Suharto's party - has always been a winner before previous elections) to obtain 22%; 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 the term of office 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 conflicts between ethnic and inter-religion, especially in Aceh, Maluku and Papua. In West Timor, the problems caused the East Timorese people who had no place to live and chaos that made the militant pro-Indonesia East Timor resulted in the problems of humanity and a great social. MPR is increasingly put pressure challenging the policies of President Wahid, causing political debate overwhelming.
Megawati Government
At the first General Session in August 2000, President Wahid gave reports accountable. On January 29, 2001, thousands of demonstrators stormed the Assembly and requested the President to resign by reason of his involvement in corruption scandals. 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.
Yudhoyono Government
In 2004, the biggest one-day election in the world held and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has emerged 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 which was devastating lantakkan part of Aceh and other earthquakes in early 2005 that shook Sumatra.
On July 17, 2005, an historic agreement was achieved between the Indonesian government and Free Aceh Movement aimed at ending the 30-year conflict in Aceh.
