TANAM PAKSA (CULTUURSTELSEL) - KEBIJAKAN BELANDA DI INDONESIA

Summary

The video script discusses the Dutch colonial policy of 'Cultuurstelsel' or forced cultivation system in Indonesia, which compelled farmers to grow export crops on their land. Implemented by Governor General Johannes Van den Bosch, it aimed to boost the Dutch economy but led to widespread poverty, overburdened farmers, and social unrest. The script highlights the policy's negative impacts, including land neglect, disease, and famine, and mentions the eventual opposition by figures like Multatuli and Baron Van Heevel, leading to the policy's gradual abolition.

Takeaways

• 📚 The Cultuurstelsel was a forced cultivation policy implemented during the Dutch colonial era in Indonesia under Governor General Johannes Van den Bosch.
• 🌾 It compelled farmers to cultivate export crops such as sugar, tobacco, and indigo on a portion of their land, contributing to the international market.
• 🏛 Before the Cultuurstelsel, the British colonial government under Stamford Raffles had implemented a land rent policy, which was considered a failure to meet the colonial government's financial needs.
• 💡 The policy was introduced due to various factors including economic crises post-Napoleonic era, the Belgian independence war, the Diponegoro War, and the Dutch financial deficit.
• 🛠 Van den Bosch's policy required farmers to cultivate export crops on 1/5 of their land or work without pay on state plantations for 66 days a year if they didn't own land.
• 📋 The Cultuurstelsel policy stipulated that the land provided for cultivation could not exceed one-third of the total agricultural land, and the time and labor for cultivation could not surpass that required for rice farming.
• 💼 The Dutch government was responsible for any crop failures not due to the farmers' faults, and the harvests from the Cultuurstelsel were to be handed over to the colonial government.
• 👥 The implementation of the Cultuurstelsel was overseen by indigenous rulers and officials, with European staff providing general supervision.
• 🔄 There were deviations in the implementation of the Cultuurstelsel, with officials often exceeding the prescribed limits, leading to adverse effects on the native population.
• 🌾 The policy resulted in widespread poverty, heavy burdens on the people, and various plagues and famines due to insufficient income and land for personal cultivation.
• 📚 Figures like Edward Douwes Dekker (Multatuli), Baron Van heivel, and Frans van der Putten opposed the Cultuurstelsel, advocating for the welfare of the indigenous people and criticizing the colonial exploitation.

Q & A

What is the Cultuurstelsel system?

The Cultuurstelsel system was a forced cultivation policy implemented during the Dutch colonial era in the Netherlands Indies, where farmers were compelled to grow export crops on their land for international markets.

Who introduced the Cultuurstelsel system?

The Cultuurstelsel system was introduced by Governor General Johannes Van den Bosch.

What was the purpose of the Cultuurstelsel system?

The purpose of the Cultuurstelsel system was to generate income for the Dutch colonial government by forcing farmers to grow export crops that were in demand on the international market.

What were the economic crises that led to the implementation of the Cultuurstelsel system?

The economic crises that led to the implementation of the Cultuurstelsel system included the aftermath of Napoleon Bonaparte's downfall in Europe, the Belgian independence war, and the high costs of suppressing the Diponegoro War in Java.

What were the terms of the Cultuurstelsel system as implemented by Van den Bosch?

The terms of the Cultuurstelsel system included farmers providing a portion of their land for the cultivation of export crops, not exceeding one-fifth of their agricultural land, and working without pay on state plantations for 66 days a year if they did not own land.

What were the consequences of the Cultuurstelsel system for the local population?

The consequences of the Cultuurstelsel system for the local population included increased poverty, heavy burdens due to land and crop surrender, forced labor, and the emergence of various diseases and famines due to insufficient income.

How did the Cultuurstelsel system impact the agricultural practices of the time?

The Cultuurstelsel system led to the neglect of food crops as farmers focused more on cultivating export crops, resulting in food shortages and famines. It also introduced the local population to various export crops and their cultivation techniques.

What were the deviations from the intended implementation of the Cultuurstelsel system?

Deviations from the intended implementation of the Cultuurstelsel system included exceeding the one-fifth land allocation for export crops, forcing farmers to work more than the required time, and not returning excess harvest revenues to the people.

Who were some of the figures that opposed the Cultuurstelsel system?

Some figures that opposed the Cultuurstelsel system included Edward Douwes Dekker (Multatuli), Baron Van heivel, Fransen vanderput, Isak Dignus Frans, and politicians who advocated for the abolition of the system through the Dutch parliament.

What was the eventual outcome of the opposition to the Cultuurstelsel system?

The eventual outcome of the opposition was the gradual abolition of the Cultuurstelsel system starting from 1865, influenced by the reactions of the Dutch people and supported by liberal factions.

How did the Cultuurstelsel system contribute to the Dutch colonial government's finances?

The Cultuurstelsel system significantly increased the Dutch colonial government's revenue, allowing them to pay off old debts, build infrastructure, and develop defense fortifications from 1831 to 1877.