Thursday, March 5, 2009
Welcome to Indonesia
The Republic of Indonesia is a transcontinental country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Comprising 17,508 islands, it is the world's largest archipelagic state. With an estimated population of around 237 million people,[3] it is the world's fourth most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority nation; however, no reference is made to Islam in the Indonesian constitution. Indonesia is a republic, with an elected legislature and president. The nation's capital city is Jakarta. The country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Malaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, the Philippines, Australia, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Continuity after Colonialism
ART
Despite the arrival of the Europeans, the local art forms which Dutch East Indies is well-known for continues to flourish.
-Eg: traditional bali handicraft.
LANDSCAPE.
most parts of the country left untouched by urban development --> those not considered to be urban centres
rural areas provide opportunity for breath-taking scenery etc etc
wild life + fauna
WAY OF LIFE.
wet rice cultivation remained traditional
indigenous age-old techniques preserved despite influx of europeans.
continuity of sultans. --> traditional hierarchy preserved
Despite the arrival of the Europeans, the local art forms which Dutch East Indies is well-known for continues to flourish.
-Eg: traditional bali handicraft.
LANDSCAPE.
most parts of the country left untouched by urban development --> those not considered to be urban centres
rural areas provide opportunity for breath-taking scenery etc etc
wild life + fauna
WAY OF LIFE.
wet rice cultivation remained traditional
indigenous age-old techniques preserved despite influx of europeans.
continuity of sultans. --> traditional hierarchy preserved
Enjoy as visitors of the modernized Dutch East Indies
birdwatcher’s paradise with 1500 species of birds or 17% of the world current species, 381 found in Indonesia only
_Kalimantan or Borneo Indonesia – the world's third largest island which has the world largest tropical rain forest
_cycling - up and down the hill, passing exotic tropical rain forest, explore cultures, remote villages and plantations
_diving - new and fresh experience
_shopping
_enjoy coffee (brought to Indonesia by the Dutch in late 17th century, 6 Arabica coffee trees were first introduced)
_Kalimantan or Borneo Indonesia – the world's third largest island which has the world largest tropical rain forest
_cycling - up and down the hill, passing exotic tropical rain forest, explore cultures, remote villages and plantations
_diving - new and fresh experience
_shopping
_enjoy coffee (brought to Indonesia by the Dutch in late 17th century, 6 Arabica coffee trees were first introduced)
The prowess of Dutch modernity- economic aspects
The Westerners transformed the traditionally small and self-sufficient economy of SEA to an export-oriented one that was connected closely to the World economy and relied heavily on capital. The Dutch was one of the most successful colonial powers in developing its own economy as well as the economy of Dutch East Indies.
They made well use of natural resources.
The Dutch’s control brought a profitable economy to SEA.
Many large open areas of Java actually became plantations cultivated by the natives, collected by the Chinese and sold overseas.
Before World War II, the Indies were estimated to have supplied
90% of the world’s production of quinine
86% of the world’s pepper
75% of its kapok, 37% of its rubber
28% of its coconut-palm products
19% of its tea
17% of its tin as well as cigars, coffee, oil and most of the world’s cigar wrappers. Holland’s investment was about U.S $1,422 million in 1940, earning an annual $103 million in interest.
The Dutch commercialized the Dutch East Indies.
They made use of the wealth of agriculture and resources effectively.
In most parts of Southeast Asia, Chinese entrepreneurs and middlemen were appreciated by the Westerners and played an important part in connecting the local economy with the World economy as they were hard-working and persevere.
The Dutch East Indies was a place for consumption of products from industrial Europe.
They made well use of natural resources.
The Dutch’s control brought a profitable economy to SEA.
Many large open areas of Java actually became plantations cultivated by the natives, collected by the Chinese and sold overseas.
Before World War II, the Indies were estimated to have supplied
90% of the world’s production of quinine
86% of the world’s pepper
75% of its kapok, 37% of its rubber
28% of its coconut-palm products
19% of its tea
17% of its tin as well as cigars, coffee, oil and most of the world’s cigar wrappers. Holland’s investment was about U.S $1,422 million in 1940, earning an annual $103 million in interest.
The Dutch commercialized the Dutch East Indies.
They made use of the wealth of agriculture and resources effectively.
In most parts of Southeast Asia, Chinese entrepreneurs and middlemen were appreciated by the Westerners and played an important part in connecting the local economy with the World economy as they were hard-working and persevere.
The Dutch East Indies was a place for consumption of products from industrial Europe.
The prowess of Dutch Modernity – social aspects
Rapid population growth was commonplace because of:
_migration
_quick development of the plantations which require a lot of labor
_increased fertility and reduced mortality
E.g. Java’s population of between three and five million at the end of the 18th century had grown to 40.9 million by 1930, and a rate approaching 1.9% per annum
Urbanization happened ubiquitously in Dutch East Indies
_sizes of cities increased swiftly
_all major cities’ population grew much more quickly than rural areas surrounded them
_cities became centers of commerce and territorial administration in their own countries
_ Westerners occupied quite a large portion of those urban areas
E.g. Batavia’s population increased at an average annual rate of 5.5% between 1905 and 1930, more than half of them were born outside the city.
The Dutch intent to broaden their residencies out of the city center, for instance, they established a large residential suburb called Weltevreden (contented) in Batavia, away from the crowded and disease-ridden old port area.
The natives living in urban area fell into three groups:
_first is an elite
_second is the native middle class who account for only a tiny proportion of the whole population
_the largest portion of the population consists of working class people, a lot of whom were migrants
nBy the beginning of 20th century, Western schools were opened widely due to the demand for personnel:
_more Native Southeast Asians were allowed to attend modern schools
_government services also welcomed educated natives to hold certain positions in lower bureaucracy
_English became a common language for the educated
E.g. In 1905, the Netherlands Indies government elected to produce its own reading matter. Thus, Balai Pustaka, a government publishing and distribution firm was founded. They produced books in Malay and vernacular language in order to provide schools and public with proper material. They hope to influence the mass politically. Many Indonesia’s renowned authors were published by Balai Pustaka too.
_migration
_quick development of the plantations which require a lot of labor
_increased fertility and reduced mortality
E.g. Java’s population of between three and five million at the end of the 18th century had grown to 40.9 million by 1930, and a rate approaching 1.9% per annum
Urbanization happened ubiquitously in Dutch East Indies
_sizes of cities increased swiftly
_all major cities’ population grew much more quickly than rural areas surrounded them
_cities became centers of commerce and territorial administration in their own countries
_ Westerners occupied quite a large portion of those urban areas
E.g. Batavia’s population increased at an average annual rate of 5.5% between 1905 and 1930, more than half of them were born outside the city.
The Dutch intent to broaden their residencies out of the city center, for instance, they established a large residential suburb called Weltevreden (contented) in Batavia, away from the crowded and disease-ridden old port area.
The natives living in urban area fell into three groups:
_first is an elite
_second is the native middle class who account for only a tiny proportion of the whole population
_the largest portion of the population consists of working class people, a lot of whom were migrants
nBy the beginning of 20th century, Western schools were opened widely due to the demand for personnel:
_more Native Southeast Asians were allowed to attend modern schools
_government services also welcomed educated natives to hold certain positions in lower bureaucracy
_English became a common language for the educated
E.g. In 1905, the Netherlands Indies government elected to produce its own reading matter. Thus, Balai Pustaka, a government publishing and distribution firm was founded. They produced books in Malay and vernacular language in order to provide schools and public with proper material. They hope to influence the mass politically. Many Indonesia’s renowned authors were published by Balai Pustaka too.
Political changes during Dutch colonialsim
The impact of Dutch colonialism was significant in shaping modern Indonesia, particularly establishing its modern borders, national identity and internal security issues.
Southwestern Sulawesi was occupied in 1905–06, the island of Bali in 1906 and the Bird's Head Peninsula (West Papua), was brought under Dutch administration in 1920. This final territorial range would form the territory of the Republic of Indonesia proclaimed in 1945, with the exception of Netherlands New Guinea territory, which came under Indonesian administration in 1965.
In 1901 the Dutch adopted what they called the Ethical Policy, under which the colonial government had a duty to further the welfare of the Indonesian people in health and education.
Political reform increased the autonomy to the local colonial administration, moving a degree from central control from the Netherlands, whilst power was also diverged from the central government to more localised governing units. The Dutch restructured the ruling elites and administrations to serve their colonial resource interests, and helped to legitimize the traditional control and privileges of the local elites. Post-colonial Indonesia is more than a nation; it is a true conglomeration of disparate and unique smaller former Dutch controlled kingdoms.
Southwestern Sulawesi was occupied in 1905–06, the island of Bali in 1906 and the Bird's Head Peninsula (West Papua), was brought under Dutch administration in 1920. This final territorial range would form the territory of the Republic of Indonesia proclaimed in 1945, with the exception of Netherlands New Guinea territory, which came under Indonesian administration in 1965.
In 1901 the Dutch adopted what they called the Ethical Policy, under which the colonial government had a duty to further the welfare of the Indonesian people in health and education.
Political reform increased the autonomy to the local colonial administration, moving a degree from central control from the Netherlands, whilst power was also diverged from the central government to more localised governing units. The Dutch restructured the ruling elites and administrations to serve their colonial resource interests, and helped to legitimize the traditional control and privileges of the local elites. Post-colonial Indonesia is more than a nation; it is a true conglomeration of disparate and unique smaller former Dutch controlled kingdoms.
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