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.