A Chronology of Indonesian History

Pleistocene Age: Pithecanthropus Erectus (Java Man), one of the earliest human species, inhabits Java,

c. 3000-200 B.C.: Malayan immigrants from South China introduce Stone and later Iron Age cultures.

c. 100 A.D.: Trade connections between Indonesia and South India are established.

c. 100-700: Continuous influx of Hindus from India. Hinduism spreads among Indonesian upper classes.

c. 100-200: First Buddhists arrive from India.

700-1377: Buddhist empire of Sri Vijaya in Sumatra spreads to most of Indonesia, flourishes as a naval and commercial power, and fosters art and learning.

936-1006: Javanese King, Dharmavangca, codifies laws. Javanese version of Hindu epic Mahabharata written.

13th century: Muslim traders from India introduce Islam. Priest Wali Songo converts many to new faith.

c. 1292: Marco Polo, the first European, arrives. Kubla Khan’s Mongolian invasion from China repulsed.

1377-1478: Sri Vijaya Empire declines. Originating in East Java, Majapahit Empire under Gadjah Mada’s leadership unites Indonesian archipelago.

1510: Intent on acquiring the Moluccas (the Spice Islands) Portuguese and Spaniards land in Indonesia.

c. 1590: British and Dutch arrive in the archipelago.

1602: Founding of the Dutch East India Company.

1641: Seizing the Moluccas from the Portuguese, the Dutch gain island trade monopoly.

1650: Beginning of the Dutch East. Indies Colonial Empire. Dutch East India Company controls spice and coffee exports, increases sovereignty over Indonesian potentates and territories, and levies agricultural tributes.

1799: Forced into bankruptcy, the East India Company cedes its Indonesian interests to the Dutch Crown.

1811-1814: Indonesia falls under British East India Company’s rule during the Napoleonic wars. Java’s Iff. Goverupr Raffles introduces partial local self-government. 1815: Holland reclaims Indonesian islands.

1835: “Forced Cultivation System” in Java requisitions part of all crops for Dutch government.

1825-1830: Prince Diponegoro becomes a national hero in struggle against colonial powers.

1869: Completion of the Suez Canal increases trade and influx of Dutch planters, explorers, builders, etc.

1870: Agrarian Law revised. Indonesia opened to private enterprise.

1908: Budi Utomo (High Endeavor) Cultural Society, founded by Indonesian intellectuals opposed to colonial oppression, turns to political ends and gives rise to the Indonesian National Movement.

1911: Sarekat Dagang Islam (Society of Muslim Traders) begins as a nonrevolutionary middle-class organization sponsoring national trade interests; becomes a political party in 1912.

1916: Sarekat Islam holds first national congress in Bandung and advocates Indonesian self-government with Dutch co-operation.

1918: Sarekat Islam’s demands for minimum social legislation are countered by the Dutch s setting up an advisory “People’s Council” with limited Indonesian representation.

1921: After split within the Sarekat Islam, left wing forms Communist party of the Indies.

1923: Increasing strikes and worsening economic conditions in the archipelago lead to further severe restrictions of Indonesian civil liberties.

1927: Violent clashes between Nationalist and Colonial forces in Java and Sumatra. Sukarno iorms the Indonesian Nationalist Party (PNI), which adopts Malaybased Bahasa Indonesia as official tongue, espouses militant policy of nonco-operation with colonial authorities.

1928: First imprisonment of Sukarno. His release after two years is followed by exile in 1933, and he remains in Dutch custody until Japanese occupation.

1934-1942: Mohammad Hatta and Sutan Sjahrir are exiled. Nationalist skirmishes continue in Indonesia.

1942-1945: Japan occupies Indonesian archipelago. Sukarno and Hatta join Japanese Occupation Government to further Indonesian independence.

1945: Upon defeat of Japan, Indonesia proclaims independence (August 17). The Provisional Constitution is confirmed by the National Committee. Sukarno is elected President, Hatta Vice-President, Sjahrir appointed Prime Minister, despite large-scale fighting between Indonesian and Dutch forces, aided by British.

1947: The Linggadjati Agreement through the UN Good Offices Committee grants the Republic of Indonesia de facto authority over Java, Madura, and Sumatra and provides for the formation of a United States of Indonesia with Dutch co-operation. Dutch “police action causes renewed violence.

1948: Second “police action” leads to continued DutchIndonesian hostilities.

1949: Round Table Conference at the Hague transfers complete sovereignty from the Netherlands to the United States of Indonesia.

1950: First Provisional Parliament of the United States of Indonesia convenes in Jakarta. Republic of Indonesia is established. Hatta becomes Prime Minister. ExportImport, Bank grants $100,000,000 credit and E.C.A. allots $4,709,000. Diplomatic relations are extended; Ali Sastroamidjojo becomes first Ambassador to the U.S.

1952: Plan to speed compulsory education introduced.

1953: Sastroamidjojo is appointed Prime Minister.

1954: First conference of the “Colombo Powers,” Burma, Ceylon, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan convenes. The West Irian Bureau is formed to co-ordiuate Indonesia’s claims to that territory.

1955: Twenty-nine nations attend the Asian-African Conference in Bandung, Eighty per cent of the eligible voters participate in the first Indonesian general elections for Parliament and Constituent Assembly.

1956: First popularly elected Parliament convenes. Sastroamidjojo is re-appointed Prime Minister.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Publisher and the Editor wish to thank all those whose kind advice and assistance made possible the preparation of material for this collection, notably Rosihan Anwar, George Bowers, Herbert, heith, Michael S. Harris, Robert J. MacQuaid, Sherry Maugan, Alexander Marshack, Sant ha Rama Rau, Koko Sujatmoko, Surjono, and Mr. and Mrs. Lothar Wolff. Acknowledgment is gratefully made to the Consulate-General in New York of The Republic of Indonesia, and its press attache, R. Sumarjo, under whose auspices was held the exhibition including most of the paintings reproduced herein; and to I. F. E. Releasing Corporation for the rice field picture taken for the film “Lost, Continent,”made by Leonardi Bonzi, which was used lor our cover design. Works which are not followed by the name of a translator have been written in English.