Proclamation of Indonesian Independence

The Proclamation of Indonesian Independence was read at 10:00 Tokyo Standard Time on Friday, 17 August 1945 in Jakarta. This important event marked the beginning of Indonesia's fight for freedom from the Netherlands. The declaration started a long effort called the Indonesian National Revolution, where people worked hard to protect their new country.

Two important leaders, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, signed the document. The next day, they became the president and vice-president of Indonesia. The anniversary of this proclamation is celebrated every year as a public holiday, reminding people of the courage it took to gain independence.

Background

The beginnings of the independence movement

In 1918, Dutch leaders in the Dutch East Indies created a council where Indonesian people could have a say. Students from Indonesia studying in the Netherlands formed a group called the Indonesian Association. In 1927, one of its leaders and a future vice-president, Mohammad Hatta, and others were arrested but later freed. Back in the East Indies, another leader, Sukarno, turned his club into the Indonesian National Party in 1928. This party wanted independence through peaceful means. In October 1928, young people at a meeting in the capital agreed on three ideas: one homeland, one nation, and one language, Indonesian. This became known as the Youth Pledge.

The pre-war period

The Indonesian National Party grew quickly, worrying the Dutch authorities. They arrested Sukarno and other leaders in 1929. The party dissolved in 1931. Another leader, Sutan Sjahrir, started a new party focusing on building many leaders. Sukarno was arrested again in 1933 and sent far away. The leaders’ arrests stopped many activities. In 1935, two groups merged to form a new party aiming to work with the Dutch for independence. In 1936, a member asked for a meeting to discuss self-government, but the Dutch refused. New groups formed, but then World War II began, and the Dutch could not respond to requests for change.

The Japanese occupation

Main article: Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies

Early years

When war broke out in the Far East, the Dutch sent money for secret resistance and allowed some leaders to return. In early 1942, Japan invaded and quickly took over. The Dutch surrendered in March 1942. The Japanese banned the Dutch language and the Indonesian flag and anthem. They divided the area into three regions. In April 1943, the Japanese started a movement called the Triple-A, but it did not gain support. They then used pre-war leaders like Sukarno and Hatta to help rally people. In July 1942, Sukarno and Hatta joined the Japanese. They agreed to work with the Japanese while still aiming for independence. In March 1943, they formed a group called Putera, led by Sukarno and Hatta, but it did not achieve much.

Japanese support for Indonesian nationalism

As Japan’s situation worsened, they began talking about letting Indonesia help govern Java. They formed a Central Advisory Council with Sukarno and appointed more Indonesians as advisors. In October 1943, they created a volunteer army called the Defenders of the Homeland and a group for Muslim associations. In 1944, Putera was replaced by the Java Service Association, with Sukarno and Hatta in important roles. They used their positions to speak to people across the islands. In September 1944, a Japanese leader promised independence “later on.” In March 1945, Japan formed a committee to prepare for Indonesian independence, including Sukarno and Hatta. Younger activists wanted faster moves toward independence, causing a split with the older leaders.

Japanese plan for independence

After Japan’s surrender, the Japanese decided to grant independence to Indonesia. On August 6 and 9, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On August 7, Japan announced a committee to prepare for Indonesian independence across the whole area, not just Java. On August 15, Japan surrendered, but the Japanese in the East Indies were told to keep things as they were. There was disagreement about how to proceed. Some younger leaders wanted Sukarno to declare independence immediately without Japanese involvement. On August 16, some of these leaders took Sukarno and Hatta to a town to pressure them to declare independence, but the leaders still wanted assurances from the Japanese. Later, they returned to Jakarta and received a guarantee from the Japanese that they could declare independence as long as it did not seem to be supported by Japan.

The writing of the proclamation

See also: Rengasdengklok Incident

Earlier that day, a group called the pemuda made a statement, but leaders Sukarno and Hatta thought it might cause trouble. They wrote a new version that everyone could agree on.

They used a special typewriter borrowed from a German officer in Jakarta because that was all they had at the time. Only Sukarno and Hatta signed the proclamation, and they finished their work early in the morning.

The ceremony

The proclamation of Indonesia's independence was planned to happen in front of a crowd at a square in Jakarta, now called Merdeka Square. But because Japanese soldiers were there to keep order, the ceremony moved to a house instead. It took place at 10 am Japan Standard Time at Sukarno's home.

The ceremony was very simple. First, a document called the preamble to the draft constitution was read. Then, Sukarno, with Hatta beside him, read the proclamation. After that, a PETA officer raised the red-and-white flag of Indonesia, and everyone sang the national anthem, Indonesia Raya.

English translation

An English version of the speech was published later by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A historian named George McTurnan Kahin thought some parts were left out because of Japanese control or to avoid angering them.

The date mentioned, "05," refers to a special year count used by the Japanese at that time, called "Japanese imperial year."

Aftermath

Main article: Indonesian National Revolution

After the proclamation of independence, young people in Java quickly shared the news using old communication methods. In Bandung, the news was announced on the radio. But many ordinary people were unsure if it was true or just a trick. In Sumatra, only a few leaders in big cities learned about it by September.

The next day, leaders chose Sukarno as president and Hatta as vice-president. They also approved the rules for the new country. The Dutch, who used to rule Indonesia, did not accept this and wanted their control back. This led to a long and hard fight for Indonesia to become truly free. Young people helped a lot during this time. Many people in Indonesia had learned how to defend themselves during the years when Japan controlled the area. There were battles not just with the Dutch, but also when Japan and later the British tried to take control again. Finally, in 1949, Indonesia became an independent country, part of many nations in Asia gaining freedom after World War II.

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