Dutch East Indies

The Dutch East Indies, or Netherlands East Indies, (Dutch: Nederlands Indië) was the name of the colonies set up by the Dutch East India Company, which came under administration of the Netherlands during the 19th century (see Indonesia).

Post-Indonesian independence

Following the capitulation of Japan at the end of the second World War, Indonesia declared her independence, sparking armed conflict when the Dutch attempted to regain control of the region. The Dutch were able to first regain control of Jakarta, forcing the removal of the Indonesian capital to Yogyakarta. A second offensive resulting in the takeover of Yogyakarta meant that capital was again moved, this time to West Sumatra. However, pressure from Australia and newly-independent India forced a negotiation brokered by the United States of America resulting in the Round Table Conference of 1949 in which the Dutch acknowledged the sovereignty of Indonesia excepting the region of western New Guinea.

Related Topics:
Indonesia - Yogyakarta - Sumatra - Australia - India - United States of America - 1949 - Western New Guinea

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The Indonesian government under Sukarno eventually took control of western New Guinea by force, and military skirmishes took place between 1961 to 1962, including a brief naval engagement in 1962. The United States pressured the Netherlands to surrender West New Guinea to Indonesia in August under terms negoiated in New York City in a document called the "New York Agreement". At the same time, the Australian government reversed its policy and also began supporting Indonesian control of the area. Today it remains under Indonesian control, although resistance continues in various parts of the region.

Related Topics:
Sukarno - Military - 1962 - New York City

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