Colonialism in Dutch Indonesia

Question 1

The idea where Europeans were obliged to civilise less developed countries such as the SEA countries.

Answer 1

White Man’s Burden

Question 2

Crops grown for trade and profit rather than subsistence.

Answer 2

Cash crops

Question 3

Common language used by the Dutch and locals which was originally used by Malay traders.

It originated from failed attempts at promoting Dutch as common language in Indonesia.

Answer 3

Bahasa Melayu (later changed to Bahasa Indonesia)

Question 4

Plural society

Answer 4

A society composed of different ethnic groups or cultural traditions.

Question 5

Urbanisation

Answer 5

Urbanisation is the increase in the proportion of people living in towns and cities. Urbanisation occurs because people move from rural areas (countryside) to urban areas (towns and cities) – for e.g. Batavia, Yogyakarta, Surabaya. This usually occurs when a country is still developing.

Question 6

Western-educated elites

Answer 6

Some locals/natives (usually from aristocratic families) had the opportunity to pursue a western education either through Dutch school in Indonesia (more created for children of Dutch officials) or even be sent to Amsterdam. As a result, they receive a different kind of education and return with western perspectives of democracy and equality.

Question 7

The Hogere Burgerschool

Answer 7

The Hogere Burgerschool or HBS was a secondary school type in the Netherlands and the Dutch Empire existing between 1863 and 1974.

Question 8

OSVIA

Answer 8

School for Training Native Administrators (Opleiding School Voor Inlandsche Ambtenaren)

Question 9

STOVIA

Answer 9

School for Training Native Doctors (School tot Opleiding van Inlandsche Artsen)

Question 10

Creation of smallholdings

Answer 10

With industrialization developing rapidly, many Javanese saw business opportunities. Some of them created smallholdings which grow and collect rubbers. This is also a form of change in livelihood.

Question 11

To further consolidate Dutch authority in Indonesia, a __________ is appointed and works under the supervision of the __________.

Answer 11

Regent (bupatis), Resident

Question 12

The old name of Jakarta

Answer 12

Jayakarta, Djakarta, Batavia (1619)

Question 13

The unified Germany (1871) annexed this place and resulted in an intensification in the race for colonies in Southeast Asia

Answer 13

German New Guinea

Question 14

This British company was increasing influence in Sarawak in 1800s and threatened Dutch interest in the region

Answer 14

British North Borneo Company

Question 15

This global phenomenon/process increased demand for raw materials, which led to interests in Southeast Asia

Answer 15

Industrialization

Question 16

This system was implemented by the Dutch in Java and forced natives to plant cash crops and sell them back to the Dutch at fixed prices. It was also a harsh system that was exploitative.

Answer 16

Culture System, Cultivation System or Cultuurstelsel

Question 17

Johannes van den Bosch

Answer 17

The person behind the Culture System.

Question 18

This policy was in response to the Culture System; it allowed the removal of forced cultivation

Answer 18

Liberal Policy (1870-1901)

Question 19

Ethical Policy (1901-1942)

Answer 19

This was implemented as Dutch lawyers and activists fought to reverse the impacts of the Culture System”. It acknowledge the ‘debt of honour’ it owed to the Dutch East Indies.

Question 20

What were the three focus areas of the Ethical Policy to better the lives of natives?

Answer 20

Irrigation, Transmigration, Education

Question 21

The tribe from Borneo that the Dutch perceived as ‘backwards’

Answer 21

Dayaks

Question 22

In traditional Javanese society, a class that comprised the elite in contrast to the masses, or “little people” (wong cilik).

Answer 22

priyayis (often descendants of the royal family)

Question 23

The Dutch ‘Short Declaration’

Answer 23

The Short Declaration was a three-point contract, drafted by Snouck Hurgronje (see below) in 1898. It stipulated the sovereignty of the Indies government, forbade indigenous rulers from having international contacts and required strict obedience of Indies government regulations. It basically forced local rulers to accept the authority of the Dutch.

Question 24

Volksraad

Answer 24

Provision in 1916 to allow local representation in politics and to allow democratisation of Indonesia. The power of the Volksraad was limited as it only had advisory powers. Although part of the council was elected only a small proportion of the population had voting rights.
Eventually it became a platform for nationalist leaders to air their views to win independence.

Question 25

Dutch oil company with interests / investments in Indonesia. Often associated with the exploitation of petroleum in the region.

Answer 25

The Royal Dutch Shell

Question 26

Secular leadership introduced by the Dutch

Answer 26

Separation of religion from state. Leadership was chosen based on merit but by ancestry/divine lineage etc. Allows the best person for the job, based on ability.
The creation of this secular leadership paved the way for leaders of modern Indonesia to work for the welfare of the country without confining ideas to religious teaching.

Question 27

Connection to world economy

Answer 27

Dutch catalysed the Dutch East Indies’ connection with the world economy through exportation of materials out of the region / facilitated trade. However, it also made them more vulnerable to global fluctuations affecting supple and demand, for e.g. The Great Depression of 1929/30.

Question 28

The process of increasing concentration of administrative power in a central government, authority, etc. Usually brings along some benefits such as standardisation (e.g. of laws/currency) but also disadvantages such as conformity and lack of autonomy.

Answer 28

Centralisation

Question 29

The Coolie Ordinance

Answer 29

Passed by the Dutch East Indies government in 1880. The regulation allowed companies to engage coolies in a contract that bound them for three years. The workers were meant to pay for their “debt” of transportation cost. The contract included a penal sanction that allowed the company to punish the workers if they forfeited the agreement. The ordinance gave power to the planters to punish coolies who were thought to be disobedient, lazy or tried to run away.

Question 30

War that was fought from 1803 until 1837 in West Sumatra, Indonesia between the Padris and the Adats. “Padris” were Muslim clerics from Sumatra who wanted to impose Sharia in Minangkabau country in West Sumatra, Indonesia. “Adats” comprised the Minangkabau nobility and traditional chiefs. The latter asked for the help of the Dutch.

Answer 30

The Padri War (1803-1837)

Question 31

Completion of Dutch intervention/consolidation of power with the conquest of this place in the Dutch East Indies. It was a bloody affair where local resistance was evident but futile.

Answer 31

Bali (1906)

Question 32

Example of a war fought by locals against the Dutch as a sign of resistance. The Dutch has wanted this area very much due to the spices (black pepper) it would provide for the lucrative trade. This war is also an example of violent response to colonial rule.

Answer 32

Aceh War (1873-1904)