Indonesian National Revolution

From 1945 to 1949 Indonesians fought Dutch attempts at recolonization and won recognition of their independence.

Overview

Nationalist leaders Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declared independence two days after the Japanese surrender, on 17 August 1945. Dutch attempts to restore rule produced the battle of Surabaya in November 1945, where British Indian troops suffered heavy losses, and two large Dutch police actions later in the decade. Republican diplomacy at the United Nations, guerrilla resistance, and international pressure, including American threats to withhold Marshall aid, forced the Netherlands to negotiate. The December 1949 transfer recognized sovereignty over most of the Dutch East Indies, with West Papua disputed until 1962. The revolution created the world largest Muslim-majority nation and marked the turning of the tide in Asian decolonization.