Education in Indonesia

Indonesia is a place that is very rich in cultural diversity. Many cultures from

around the world influenced how this beautiful country has been shaped. Unfortunately

the government has been a source of conflict for years in Indonesia. The history of the

Indonesian government is not always been very pretty. Indonesia has had unfair and

vicious dictators and rulers in the past. Many people were killed and mistreated. This

paper will explore the history of control over Indonesia and how it has changed and the

influences of other governments and rulers of Indonesia on their government and culture.

Indonesia has had many cultural influences throughout its rich history. Between

100 and 200 AD Buddhist kingdoms from India Influenced the religion of the Indonesian

people. By 1331 it turned to Hindu Kingdoms, and in the late 13th century Islam came to

Indonesia. Not only has it been influenced by the religions of other places but also has

been ruled by many other nations. In 1512 the Portuguese came looking for spices and

other good to trade but they also brought the Christian religion. The Portuguese rule over

Indonesia was strong but they did not control Indonesia as long as the Dutch. During the

15th century the Dutch also came to Indonesia looking for spices. The Dutch had a

monopoly on the Spice Islands from 1596 to 1815 on the Maluku and Banda islands.

With this control over these islands the Indonesian people adopted the culture and

mannerisms of the Dutch traders. The Dutch influenced the language, government, and

trading patterns. The Dutch rule over Indonesia eventually came to an end in 1815.

In 1942 the Japanese ruled Indonesia bringing many major changes to the culture

of Indonesia. The rule of the Japanese came during the Second World War. From march

1942 until the end of the war in 1945. The Japanese were there to secure the many natural
resources that Indonesia has and use them to aid their allies during World War II. The

Japanese control of Indonesia was very harsh. The military forces took food and other

many other necessities from the people causing starvation and many health issues. The

Japanese also forced the relocation of over 4 people. Many were forced to work on

projects that had to do with defense and many others were forced to work on defense

construction projects in outer islands and other islands in Japanese controlled Southeast

Asia. Not many people were returned to Java after the war. Only about 52,000 people

were returned to their homes in Java. The occupation of the Japanese was not all bad

though. It ended many years of oppression from the Dutch and proved that they were not

as powerful as they seamed.

After World War II ended, on August 17, 1945 the first president of Indonesia,

Sukarno, declared independence. Sukarno worked hard to set up a democratic

government during his presidency. He was forced to retire do to illness in 1965. His

predecessor Suharto was asked to take over role of president when Suharto was too ill to

continue his duties. Suharto ended up taking over the government at became one of the

most infamous dictators of all time. On September 30th, 1965 Suharto lead a movement

to get rid of the communist party and it’s members. He massacred hundreds of thousands

of communists without question. Many others became political prisoners. Even though

Suharto was a dictator he worked hard to boost the economy and power of Indonesia. By

1972 he had succeeded in boosting the economy and lowering the inflation rate in

Indonesia. His New Order policies put him in control of Indonesia. With a more

authoritarian government at his back he as able to do anything he wanted because of the

military support. He arrested and imprisoned without trial many who spoke out against
the government. Finally in 1989 there was a student uprising that forced Suharto out of

office.

There has been a lot of conflict in Indonesia due to the control of the people by

other larger and more powerful nations. Now finally Indonesia has the chance to rule

itself and give the power back to the people that have been struggling for so long.

Indonesia is still growing and developing blossoming into a strong and powerful nation.

They have many resources and much to offer to the world. Although Indonesia’s history

has been riddled with forceful takeover by other nations they are now able to control

themselves and can move on to bigger and better things.

 Works Cited

"Independence for Indonesia." MacroHistory : World History. 05 Mar.

2009 <http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/ch23t.htm>.

"Indonesia - The Japanese Occupation, 1942-45." Country Studies. 05

Mar. 2009 <http://countrystudies.us/indonesia/15.htm>.

"Network Indonesia - Culture - History of Indonesia." 05 Mar. 2009

<http://users.skynet.be/network.indonesia/ni4001c8.htm>.

"Suharto (president of Indonesia) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia."

Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia. 05 Mar. 2009

<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/572060/Suharto>.