Colonialism In Indonesia

693 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The rise of nationalism and imperialism

Introduction

The struggle for nationalism was one the significant events during the colonial period in Indonesia. It was facilitated by the unity of the Indonesian tribes. The natives of Indonesia achieved unity through adoption of a common language that facilitated communication. Therefore, adoption of a common language was one of the significant factors that contributed to the development of nationalism in Indonesia. Today, Indonesian is the formal lingo in Indonesia. It is used as language of instruction in most learning institutions and national media (Simpson 2007, pp. 45-46). Moreover, it is one of the most popular languages globally. Indonesian evolved during the colonial period. It was called Malay before independence. A part from Indonesian, the natives commonly speak Javanese and Madurese. This paper discusses the emergence of Indonesian during the colonial period and its development since independence.

Emergence of Indonesian

Indonesian originated during the colonial period. In the early period of the twentieth century, many dialects existed in Indonesia because the indigenous communities had their own languages. The European invasion of Indonesia led to the rise of more languages. It was out these numerous dialects that the Indonesian developed gradually.

During the colonial period, the Dutch dominated the natives in all spheres of life (Woodward 2010, pp. 121-122). For instance, the Dutch colonialists disrupted the social, economic, and political organization of the natives. Therefore, colonialism led to immense suffering of the natives. This led to the struggle for independence. During the colonial period, “Dutch, Javanese, French, and Malay languages became popular in various parts of Asia” (Anwar 2001, pp. 57-5...

... middle of paper ...

...e adopted the use of Malay and made it the second official language in the colony. In the twentieth century, Malay gained prominence in many learning institutions. It was also adopted by many local media organizations. For instance, many local newspapers were written in Malay. Most of the Indonesians who attained formal education during the colonial period were taught in Malay. Only a few natives from rich families had a chance to learn in Dutch schools during the colonial period.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, well-liked associations with pro-independence ambitions began to form. In 1911, the Sarekat Muslim Organization made Malay its formal language. In 1926, “the First Congress of Indonesian Youth was held, and the future leaders of Indonesia discussed the national language issue” (Paauw 2009, p. 4). The second assembly was held after two years and

Show More
Related

  • Beveridge Why The USould Stay In The Philippines

    1035 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 1900, Senator Albert Beveridge, a Republican from Indiana, gave a speech in response to “The Philippine Question”. Beveridge was asked by senators and members of the House of Representatives to give a speech on the Philippines. At this time, the United States was in discussion of what the future steps would be after the Spanish-American War, which resulted in a win and subsequent acquisition of the Philippines. Senator Beveridge responded to the idea that the United States should stay in the Philippines for its available resources for the United States, its impact it gives the United States in the Pacific Ocean, and the destiny the United States has in spreading democracy. Senator Albert Beveridge makes a strong argument of why the United States should stay in the Philippines; his arguments of commerce, world powers, and race are all strong for the United States, but there is a strong resistance from the Filipino people and their vocal leader Emilio Aguinaldo.

    Read More

  • American Imperialism In The Philippines

    1245 Words  | 3 Pages

    ) Miss Columbia’s School House at 1894 and Emilio Aguinaldo Criticizes American Imperialism in the Philippines at 1899 illustrates the perception of being foreigners among the Americans. Among the short male figures outside the gates, is Hawaii (the men is carrying the Hawaiian flag) and Alaska. Around the 1950’s, the two states became part of America. Miss Columbia is the teacher and is in charged among the students. But inside the school house there is somewhat chaos happening with the different diverse people. An African American is running away from the school because a white male is stabbing him with some type of weapon. In 1865, slavery was outlawed but segregation was still permitted until 1964. African American were treated poorly among

    Read More

  • Essay On Colonialism In The Indian Ocean

    802 Words  | 2 Pages

    The indistinct terms of ‘imperialism’ and ‘colonialism’ have led to uncertainty and ambiguity when assessing the activities carried out by the Portuguese and other Europeans in the region of the Indian Ocean. The late fifteenth century to the early sixteenth century was labeled as the “Age of Discovery” where the Portuguese started off the exploration of the world outside of Europe, through Vasco da Gama. The incidents that occurred over the next few hundred years reflected European dominance throughout the region that complete the questionable means of Imperialism or Colonialism. Imperialism may be defined as “a policy of extending a country’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force” where colonialism is defined as “a policy or practice of acquiring full or partial control over another country, occupying it with settlers and exploiting it economically” . This essay will give a brief history of the Europeans (specifically the Portuguese as the initial Europeans) in the Indian Ocean throughout the sixteenth to seventeenth century and will also explain the process of how European activities in the Indian Ocean region should be labeled as ‘colonialism’. Furthermore I will outline the Europeans justifications in dominating the people within this region.

    Read More

  • Capitalism and Economic Dependency in Latin America

    1791 Words  | 4 Pages

    “Capitalism is a world system. But some of its parts have more than their share of leadership.”(Cardoso xxi). Latin America, like much of the third and second world has received far lesser dividends from the fruits of capitalism. In fact due to its close geographic location to the united states and its strong early history of colonialism Latin America is a shining example of how economic dependency has evolved. From its moment liberation Latin America has been seen as a economic tool by the west, particularly by the USA, and continues to be economically dominated to this day. From the Eve of conquest the region has used its economic power mostly to the benefit of another nation.

    Read More

  • American Imperialism in the Philippines

    3630 Words  | 8 Pages

    In 1898, in an effort to free Cuba from the oppression of its Spanish colonizers, America captured the Philippines. This brought about questions of what America should do with the Philippines. Soon, controversy ensued both in the American political arena as well as among its citizens. Throughout its history, America had always been expansionistic, but it had always limited itself to the North American continent. Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, however, there emerged a drive to expand outside of the continent. When America expanded to the Philippines, the policy it followed was a stark break from past forms of expansionism. Despite much controversy, America followed the example of the imperialistic nations in Europe and sought to conquer the Philippines as an imperialist colony that they would rule either directly or indirectly.

    Read More

  • The Effects Of Colonialism In The Middle East

    1146 Words  | 3 Pages

    This essay will examine both the direct effects of colonialism, in the evaluation of post-colonial economic consequences such as dependency on external bodies, as well as indirect effects of colonialism, in the evaluation of post-colonial political

    Read More

  • Effects Of Colonialism In Africa

    833 Words  | 2 Pages

    Colonialism has plagued indigenous people worldwide and has spelled disaster for countless cultures, languages, and traditions. Over the past 500 years there have been different phases of colonization in Africa as well as other various parts of earth. There were many reasons behind exploration and colonization including economic and tactical reasons, religion, and prestige. Colonialism has shaped the contemporary understanding of individuals from Niger as well as other parts of Africa and other places too, like the Chambri and Tlingit people; mainly in economics. Because of the colonial past of so many cultures, numerous indigenous people today face many issues.

    Read More

  • Imperialism in Asia

    1275 Words  | 3 Pages

    As many people know, Imperialism has shaped the culture and customs all over the world. Imperialism is the dominance of one country over another politically, economically or socially. Western culture can be seen in all parts of the world; from Asia to Africa, to the Indies and the Americans. The downside of having the bits of western culture all over the world, is how it got there. Western influence was forced upon places in Asia, specifically India, Indonesia with a hellacious price; lives and poverty.

    Read More

  • Colonialism In Three Texts

    1710 Words  | 4 Pages

    This essay will be about a comparative study of the representation of colonialism as a positive or negative force. The texts that are being used are my core text ‘Heart of Darkness’ by Joseph Conrad and ‘Collected Poems’ by Rudyard Kipling. The partner text will be ‘Swami and Friends’ by R. K. Narayan.

    Read More

  • British Colonization in Southeast Asia

    1106 Words  | 3 Pages

    Colonization for the British first began in 1591 when the merchant Sir James Lancaster had been commissioned to set sail by Commander Sir Francis Duke towards the East Indies. Sir James would continue to sail until in September 1592, he would land in Penang remaining there for two years pillaging any rival European ships that were to harbor there. Returning to Britain in 1594 and relaying the news of this newly found area, the British would not become a major participant in Penang’s history until 1786 with the Malay Sultanate of Kedah. During this time, the Burmese and the Siamese armies had increasingly threatened the Sultan of Penang forcing him to cut a deal with then Captain of the British Navy in the Southeast Asia region Francis Light.

    Read More

  • Modern Colonization Essay

    771 Words  | 2 Pages

    what an alteration there would be if they were brought under Anglo-Saxon influence.” It quickly becomes apparent that those who were integral to the modern colonization of South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa were not doing so out of the goodness of their hearts. Without delving too deeply into the actual statistics of the good done for these “barbaric” cultures, it may seem as if colonization was a positive occurrence. In all actuality, however, the ulterior motives and imperialistic attitudes of the key players in colonization brought much more harm than gain. The benefits of colonialism were almost entirely one-sided at the unfortunate loss of the other side’s culture, inhabitants, resources and overall way of life.

    Read More

  • Impact of British Imperialism on Malaya

    1329 Words  | 3 Pages

    Factors of British colonialism in Malaya were because there were vas natural resources in Malaya, strategic location and also to extend their influence; to be seen as a big powerful nation, and finally to spread the Christian ...

    Read More

  • The Colonization of the Philippines

    1412 Words  | 3 Pages

    Generally, textbooks, articles, and essays talk about America’s “occupation,” “supervision” or “intervention” in the Philippines. They seem to be afraid to use the word “colonization.” According to Webster’s Dictionary the definition of colonization is, “The colonial system of political government or extension of territory, by which one nation exerts political control over another nation, territory, or people, maintaining the colony in a state of dependence, its inhabitants not having the same full rights as those of the colonial power. The controlling power is typically extended thus by military force or the threat of force” (6). In his book analyzing Japanese Assimilation Policies in Colonial Korea, Mark Caprio makes a distinction between two different “levels” of colonialism: external and internal. He states that external colonization is what Hannah Arendt calls “overseas imperialism…where their indirect policy exerted minimal effort to forge political, social, or cultural bonds with the peoples under their jurisdiction” (2). Although this is the way the French colonized, the United States seem to adopt the British way of colonizing, which is Caprio’s second level of colonization or internal colonization. This is what Benedict Anderson describes as “inventing nations” (Caprio 2). It requires that the colonial power send ambassadors to impress its culture upon the colony through controlling things such as dialect, media, education, and military (Caprio 2). Caprio also mentions, “The decision to colonize, as well as the administration to administer the colonized, was based primarily on the needs and interests of the colonizer’s subject; those of the colonized object received minimal consideration” (2). Therefore, a colony serves...

    Read More

  • Colonialism in India

    997 Words  | 2 Pages

    The British invasion formed into a historical development of British colonialism in India. Despite India under the British rule, Mahatma Gandhi played an important role in gaining Independence. He not only changed India but also strongly fought for India's independence, using various strategies. The British Empire ruled as long as they could to reform India both politically and socially.

    Read More

  • Indonesia Tourism Essay

    1678 Words  | 4 Pages

    Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia. Consists of more than 18,000 islands, Indonesia provides a beautiful views, cultures, and tourist resort. The capital of Indonesia and the largest city is Jakarta, located in Java Island. The Indonesian’s currency is rupiah. Indonesia is a republic country, and the government system is democracy Absolutely, Indonesia also have a lot of tribes with different languages and religion. Indonesia got the freedom from the Netherlands in 1942, and Japan in 1945.

    Read More

More about Colonialism In Indonesia

Open Document