SEJARAH PENJAJAHAN PRANCIS DI NUSANTARA

Summary

The video explores the lesser-known history of French influence in Indonesia, shedding light on the era when France, under Napoleon Bonaparte, controlled the Netherlands and indirectly the archipelago. The Dutch East Indies, previously ruled by the VOC, became a strategic asset for France. Herman Willem Daendels, appointed by Napoleon, enacted harsh policies, including forced labor and military reforms, which left a lasting impact on the region. Despite his cruelty, Daendels successfully defended Java from British forces. The French colonial influence ended after his dismissal, paving the way for British control.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Netherlands and Japan are often associated with colonizing Indonesia, but other countries, including Portugal, Spain, France, and England, also had colonial influence in the region.
• 😀 The VOC (Dutch East India Company), while not a country, played a crucial role in colonizing Indonesia, and its majority shareholders were Dutch.
• 😀 France, under Napoleon Bonaparte, indirectly colonized Indonesia by controlling the Netherlands, which then led to the influence over the Dutch territories in the archipelago.
• 😀 In the late 1700s, after the bankruptcy of the VOC, the Netherlands submitted to French rule, with the Dutch King fleeing to England.
• 😀 France’s control over the Netherlands indirectly put Indonesia under French rule, with French-appointed Herman Willem Daendels becoming the Governor-General of the archipelago.
• 😀 Daendels is remembered in Indonesia as a cruel and authoritarian ruler, notorious for policies like forced labor to build the Anyer-Panarukan road.
• 😀 The Batavian Republic (1795) was a creation of France, and the Dutch King Willem V fled to England after France attacked the Netherlands, leaving the country to be influenced by France.
• 😀 French-inspired ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity appealed to young Dutch citizens, many of whom supported the creation of a democratic republican state.
• 😀 In 1806, the Kingdom of Holland was established, with Napoleon’s brother, Louis Napoleon, as its ruler. This period saw continued French influence over the Dutch territories in Indonesia.
• 😀 Daendels’ military background made him a harsh ruler who enforced strict policies like building defenses against the British, which included military bases and recruitment of soldiers across Java.
• 😀 After Daendels was recalled to Europe, the Dutch East Indies temporarily fell under British control, leading to the eventual British victory and the signing of the Tuntang Capitulation, ending French influence in the region.

Q & A

Which countries are known to have colonized Indonesia, and which one is rarely discussed in Indonesian history?

The countries known to have colonized Indonesia include Portugal, Spain, the VOC (Dutch East India Company), France, England, the Netherlands, and Japan. France is the country that is rarely discussed in Indonesian history despite its indirect role in colonizing the archipelago during the era of Napoleon Bonaparte.

How did France indirectly control the Netherlands, and what impact did it have on Indonesia?

France indirectly controlled the Netherlands when the Dutch king fled to England due to France's invasion. As a result, the Netherlands came under French influence. Since the Netherlands controlled the Indonesian archipelago at that time, this meant that the archipelago also fell under French control, with France appointing Herman Willem Daendels as the governor-general of the Dutch East Indies.

Who was Herman Willem Daendels, and why is he a significant figure in Indonesian colonial history?

Herman Willem Daendels was a former Dutch military man appointed by France as the governor-general of the Dutch East Indies. He is remembered as a harsh and authoritarian figure, especially for his implementation of the forced labor policy to construct the Anyer to Panarukan road, which caused immense suffering among the local population.

What was the Batavian Republic, and how did France influence its establishment?

The Batavian Republic was a French-influenced republic established in the Netherlands in 1795. France supported its creation after taking control of the Netherlands. The establishment of the republic was part of France's broader strategy to spread revolutionary ideals in Europe, influencing even Dutch citizens who were inspired by the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

How did the Netherlands transition back to a monarchy under French influence?

In 1806, the Dutch, influenced by France, transitioned from a republic back to a kingdom, known as the Kingdom of Holland. This kingdom was led by Napoleon Bonaparte's younger brother, Louis Napoleon, who ruled as the king, further consolidating French influence over the Netherlands.

Why did Louis Napoleon appoint Herman Willem Daendels to govern Java, and what were his main responsibilities?

Louis Napoleon appointed Daendels as the governor-general of Java in 1807 to defend the island from British attacks and secure French interests in the archipelago. His main responsibility was to maintain control over the Dutch East Indies and ensure the continuation of French dominance in the region.

What was the Anyer to Panarukan road, and how did it impact the local population?

The Anyer to Panarukan road was a 1000 km long road built under Daendels' forced labor policies. Many Javanese people were subjected to brutal working conditions, leading to numerous casualties. The road was strategically important for defending Java from British forces, but it caused immense suffering for the local population.

How did Daendels use military influence in his governance of Java?

Daendels established military bases in Surabaya and Semarang and recruited new soldiers to strengthen his control over Java. His governance was heavily militarized, with his policies reflecting a focus on defense against British attacks and maintaining French interests in the region.

What were the consequences of Daendels' policies for the Javanese nobility?

Under Daendels, the traditional Javanese nobility, who had been granted honor and positions by the Dutch, were incorporated into a military structure. They were given ranks and uniforms, which led to the continuation of military-style uniforms for official positions in Java even today. This policy was seen as cruel and disrespectful to the native population.

What led to the end of French influence in Indonesia and the dismissal of Daendels?

Daendels was dismissed by Napoleon after demonstrating arrogance and being considered more valuable to France in the European theater. After Daendels' return to Europe, the archipelago came under the control of Jan Willem Janssens, but France's influence in Indonesia ended after British forces, led by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, defeated Janssens in 1811, marking the beginning of British rule in the region.