Indonesia And East Timor Conflict
Brandie Torres
Von Behren
International Politics
14 October 2013
Indonesia and East Timor Conflict
History on Indonesia:
The first three hundred years of key events began whilst Indonesia was being ruled by Dutch colonials, Indonesia then was known as the Dutch East Indies. The Portuguese attempted to take over what was Indonesia entirely although failed because they did not have enough forces to colonize the entire country so the Dutch did. During World War II, the Japanese invaded Indonesia and took over the country, they wanted to have control over the oil that it possessed especially during wartime. At first the Indonesians believed that Japan was there to liberate them of their colonial influence, they soon came to realize that Japan was doing the exact same thing to them as the Dutch were but were even more brutal and oppressive. About four million people in Indonesia died as a result of the Japanese occupation.
Indonesians had an uproar and when World War II had ended leaving Japan broken, the Dutch came back in an attempt to overtake them once more. This failed as they declared their independence in 1945 and began a four year war for independence. With the help of supporting countries and the United Nations Indonesia became a sovereign country and free country. From then until the 1970s Indonesia’s main economic money maker was exporting oil and spices, making it an asset to neighboring countries who bought it there rather than exporting from the Middle East. The first two presidents of Indonesia were autocrats who remained “presidents for life” which is why their terms were so elaborate. The Indonesian military, which was trained and partially established by the United States, was the main reason why they stayed in power for so long. However since the first democratic election in October of 1999, terms and expectations have changed, presidents in Indonesia can only serve two consecutive 5 year terms.
In 1975, Portugal announced that they had plans to
Von Behren
International Politics
14 October 2013
Indonesia and East Timor Conflict
History on Indonesia:
The first three hundred years of key events began whilst Indonesia was being ruled by Dutch colonials, Indonesia then was known as the Dutch East Indies. The Portuguese attempted to take over what was Indonesia entirely although failed because they did not have enough forces to colonize the entire country so the Dutch did. During World War II, the Japanese invaded Indonesia and took over the country, they wanted to have control over the oil that it possessed especially during wartime. At first the Indonesians believed that Japan was there to liberate them of their colonial influence, they soon came to realize that Japan was doing the exact same thing to them as the Dutch were but were even more brutal and oppressive. About four million people in Indonesia died as a result of the Japanese occupation.
Indonesians had an uproar and when World War II had ended leaving Japan broken, the Dutch came back in an attempt to overtake them once more. This failed as they declared their independence in 1945 and began a four year war for independence. With the help of supporting countries and the United Nations Indonesia became a sovereign country and free country. From then until the 1970s Indonesia’s main economic money maker was exporting oil and spices, making it an asset to neighboring countries who bought it there rather than exporting from the Middle East. The first two presidents of Indonesia were autocrats who remained “presidents for life” which is why their terms were so elaborate. The Indonesian military, which was trained and partially established by the United States, was the main reason why they stayed in power for so long. However since the first democratic election in October of 1999, terms and expectations have changed, presidents in Indonesia can only serve two consecutive 5 year terms.
In 1975, Portugal announced that they had plans to