Dutch East Indies Facts for Kids

The Dutch East Indies, also known as the Netherlands East Indies, was a Dutch colony. Today, this area is the country of Indonesia. Its main city was Batavia, which is now called Jakarta.

The old Stadhuis in Batavia. This building was once the home of the Governor General of the Dutch East India Company. Today, it is the Jakarta Historical Museum.

This colony started from lands controlled by the Dutch East India Company. In 1800, these lands officially became a colony of the Netherlands. During World War II, the Japanese Empire took control of the region. After the Japanese left in 1945, Indonesian leaders declared their independence. They fought a war to gain freedom. Finally, in December 1949, the Netherlands recognized Indonesia as an independent country.

A Long History of Trade and Control
- From Company Rule to Colony
- Life Under Dutch Rule
  - Challenges and Resistance
World War II and Independence
- Declaring Freedom
- The Birth of Indonesia
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A Long History of Trade and Control

The story of the Dutch East Indies began with trade. European countries wanted spices from Asia. The Dutch East India Company was a powerful trading company. It started setting up trading posts in the Indonesian islands in the early 1600s. Over time, the company gained more and more control over different parts of the islands. They built forts and made agreements with local rulers.

From Company Rule to Colony

By the late 1700s, the Dutch East India Company faced many problems. It was losing money and struggling to manage its vast territories. In 1800, the Dutch government took over the company's lands. This is when the Dutch East Indies officially became a Dutch colony. The Dutch government then worked to expand its control across the entire archipelago.

Life Under Dutch Rule

Life in the Dutch East Indies changed a lot under Dutch rule. The Dutch built new roads, railways, and ports. They also set up schools and hospitals, but these were mostly for the Dutch and a few wealthy Indonesians. The colony was very important to the Netherlands because of its rich resources. These included spices, coffee, tea, rubber, and oil. The Dutch made a lot of money from these goods.

Challenges and Resistance

Many local kingdoms and people resisted Dutch control. There were several wars and uprisings throughout the colonial period. One famous example is the Java War (1825-1830), led by Prince Diponegoro. Even though the Dutch had stronger weapons, the desire for freedom was always present among the Indonesian people.

World War II and Independence

During World War II, the Japanese Empire invaded and occupied the Dutch East Indies. This was a big change for the people. The Japanese occupation lasted from 1942 to 1945. When Japan surrendered at the end of the war, Indonesian leaders saw their chance.

Declaring Freedom

On August 17, 1945, just days after Japan's surrender, Indonesian leaders declared their country's independence. This was a brave step. However, the Netherlands wanted to regain control of their colony. This led to a long and difficult fight known as the Indonesian National Revolution.

The Birth of Indonesia

The war for independence lasted for over four years. Indonesian fighters, often called revolutionaries, fought hard against the Dutch forces. Many lives were lost. Finally, with pressure from other countries, the Netherlands agreed to recognize Indonesia's independence. On December 27, 1949, the Dutch East Indies officially became the independent nation of Indonesia.

Images for kids

Expansion of the Dutch East Indies in the Indonesian Archipelago
Figure Megalith found in 1931 near the Royal Palace of Sakala Brak in Hanibung Batu Brak.
The Submission of Prince Dipo Negoro to General De Kock, by Nicolaas Pieneman. This painting shows a key moment in the Java War.
Tjarda van Starkenborgh Stachouwer and B. C. de Jonge, the last two governor-general of the Dutch East Indies, before the Japanese invasion.
Volksraad members in 1918: D. Birnie (Dutch), Kan Hok Hoei (Chinese), R. Sastro Widjono and M. N. Dwidjo Sewojo (Javanese). The Volksraad was a council with some Indonesian members.
Students of the School Tot Opleiding Van Indische Artsen (STOVIA), also known as Sekolah Doctor Jawa. This was a medical school.
Dutch, Eurasian, and Javanese professors of law at the opening of the Rechts Hogeschool (Law School) in 1924.
Headquarters of the Deli Company in Medan around 1925. This company was involved in plantations.
De Javasche Bank (Java Bank) in Banjarmasin.
Workers pose at the site of a railway tunnel being built in the mountains, 1910.
Perhimpunan Pelajar-Pelajar Indonesia (Indonesian Students Union) delegates at the Youth Pledge in 1928. This was an important event where Indonesian language was chosen as the national language.
A painting showing the De Grote Postweg near Buitenzorg.
Bioscoop Mimosa cinema in Batu, Java, 1941.
Museum and lab of the Buitenzorg Plantentuin (Botanical Garden).
A Dutch family enjoying a large Rijsttafel dinner in 1936. Rijsttafel is a Dutch-Indonesian meal with many dishes.
Ceremonial Hall, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung. It was designed by architect Henri Maclaine-Pont.
Javanese nobles in 1890. They adopted some European fashion styles.
A Dutch colonial couple in the early 20th century wearing native batik and kebaya fashion.
Dutch imperial art from 1916. It shows the Dutch East Indies and says "Our most precious jewel."