Viral!! Bung Tomo's speech 10 November 1945 that Burns Spirit

Summary

In this powerful speech, an Indonesian leader calls on the people of Surabaya and the youth of Indonesia to resist British forces during the Indonesian National Revolution. With fervor, the speaker denounces the British demand for surrender and emphasizes the nation's commitment to freedom, unity, and defiance. The message urges all Indonesians, regardless of background, to stand together and fight for independence, declaring that they would rather die than live under foreign rule. The speech is a rallying cry for resistance, invoking national pride, unity, and religious faith in the struggle for freedom.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker calls on the people of Surabaya and all Indonesians to resist surrendering to the British army.
• 😀 The British army distributed pamphlets demanding Indonesians surrender the weapons taken from the Japanese army.
• 😀 The pamphlets also instructed Indonesians to raise their hands or carry a white flag to signify surrender.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the bravery and unity of Indonesian youth from various regions, including Maluku, Sulawesi, Bali, Kalimantan, Sumatera, Aceh, and Tapanuli, who fought valiantly in the past battles.
• 😀 The speaker warns the British army that the people of Surabaya will not submit to their demands and are prepared to fight.
• 😀 The resistance is framed as a fight for freedom, with the motto 'freedom or death' firmly endorsed.
• 😀 The speaker stresses the importance of defending Indonesian independence, even at the cost of destruction, and assures that victory will ultimately belong to the people.
• 😀 The leadership of various Indonesian groups in Surabaya has been informed that British troops are advancing and have begun shooting at Indonesians.
• 😀 The speaker calls for immediate action, urging people to join the fight and defend their freedom against the British army's aggression.
• 😀 The speech concludes with a declaration of faith that God is on the side of the righteous, and a call to arms for the youth of Surabaya and all Indonesians.

Q & A

What is the main message conveyed in the speaker's address?

The speaker is rallying the Indonesian people, particularly those in Surabaya, to resist the British forces. He emphasizes the determination to fight for freedom and rejects any form of surrender to the British, insisting that they would rather face death than live under foreign control.

What event is being referenced in this speech?

The speech refers to the Indonesian National Revolution, particularly the Battle of Surabaya in 1945, when Indonesian nationalists resisted British forces after the Japanese occupation ended and the British sought to re-establish control over Indonesia.

Who are the 'brothers' the speaker is addressing?

The 'brothers' refer to the Indonesian people, especially the youth and common people in Surabaya, including workers, traders, and soldiers from various regions of Indonesia, who are being called to defend their independence.

What do the pamphlets distributed by the British army demand?

The British army's pamphlets demand that Indonesians surrender the weapons they took from the Japanese army and come to the British forces with their hands raised or with a white flag, signaling surrender.

What is the significance of the white flag mentioned in the speech?

The white flag is traditionally a symbol of surrender. The speaker is rejecting this symbol as a sign of submission to the British and uses it to highlight the resistance of the Indonesian people, emphasizing that they will not give in to foreign control.

What does the speaker mean by 'freedom or death'?

The phrase 'freedom or death' underscores the speaker's belief that the Indonesians would rather die than live under foreign rule. It signifies their commitment to achieving independence at all costs.

How does the speaker describe the previous battles fought by the Indonesians?

The speaker praises the bravery and resilience of the Indonesian people, highlighting their successful defense efforts against foreign forces in past battles. The people of Surabaya, along with other Indonesians, have fought together against colonial powers, showing strength and unity.

What role do the various groups mentioned, such as the youth from different regions and the village troops, play in the context of the speech?

These groups represent the diverse and united front of Indonesians who are all involved in the resistance movement. The speaker emphasizes that people from different regions, including youth from Sumatra, Aceh, Maluku, Sulawesi, Bali, and others, are all fighting together to secure Indonesia's independence.

Why does the speaker mention 'red blood' in relation to the white flag?

The speaker refers to the 'red blood' as a symbol of the Indonesian people's strength and willingness to fight for their independence. He suggests that if they are forced to surrender, the white flag will be stained red with their blood, symbolizing their sacrifice for freedom.

What is the significance of the phrase 'Allah is the Greatest' in the context of this speech?

The phrase 'Allah is the Greatest' reflects the speaker's religious faith, invoking divine support and protection for the Indonesian cause. It suggests that the speaker believes their fight for freedom is righteous and that God will help them prevail.