The Disturbing "Anti-Communist" Killings Of Indonesia

Summary

This video explores the tragic Indonesian mass killings of 1965-1966, where political and ethnic violence led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands. It examines the coup that sparked the violence, the role of Indonesia's Communist Party (PKI), and the brutal response led by General Suharto. Civilians, driven by propaganda, joined in the massacres. The video highlights how the US and its allies supported Suharto's anti-communist purge, exacerbating the crisis. The consequences were far-reaching, with Sukarno’s downfall and Suharto's 32-year authoritarian regime that followed.

Takeaways

• 🇮🇩 Indonesia's national motto is 'Unity in Diversity,' but this unity collapsed in 1965-1966 with mass killings across the country.
• 💥 A coup attempt on September 30, 1965, led by military officers, resulted in the execution of six top military officials and triggered widespread violence.
• 🚫 The military, led by General Suharto, blamed the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) for the coup, despite unclear evidence of their involvement.
• 🔪 The army initiated a violent anti-communist purge, which was supported by propaganda and civilian militias. An estimated 500,000 to 1 million people were killed.
• 🪦 Victims of the purge included PKI members, their families, and anyone accused of communist sympathies. Many were executed, imprisoned, or tortured.
• 💔 Women faced specific targeting, including imprisonment and sexual violence. Many were accused based on flimsy or false claims of communist affiliation.
• 🌏 Ethnic Chinese communities were also targeted, as they were perceived to be aligned with the Communist Party due to China's own communist government.
• 🇺🇸 The United States and its allies provided support to Suharto, including military and communication equipment. They were aware of the mass killings but did not intervene.
• 📰 Western media largely ignored the scale of the atrocities, with some reports downplaying the violence as a typical example of 'violent Asia.'
• 📉 The massacres effectively destroyed the PKI and led to Suharto taking full control of Indonesia, establishing an authoritarian regime that lasted for 32 years.

Q & A

What was Indonesia's national motto during the 1960s?

Indonesia's national motto during the 1960s was 'Unity in Diversity.'

Who was Sukarno, and what was his political role in Indonesia?

Sukarno was the hero of Indonesian independence and the president of Indonesia from 1945. He maintained a delicate balance among political, ethnic, and religious interests and played a central role in the global non-aligned movement.

What were the three main political forces in Indonesia during Sukarno's presidency?

The three main political forces in Indonesia during Sukarno's presidency were Islam, communism, and nationalism, often represented by the military.

What was the PKI, and why was it significant in Indonesia?

The PKI (Indonesian Communist Party) was the largest non-ruling communist party in the world at the time, with over 2 million members. Its significance lay in its influence on Indonesian politics and its association with left-leaning policies.

What led to the 1965 coup attempt in Indonesia?

The 1965 coup attempt was triggered by a mix of rumors about a right-wing military conspiracy to overthrow Sukarno, economic instability, and Sukarno’s left-leaning policies that were seen as too close to communism. A group of military officers, possibly with Communist support, tried to preempt this conspiracy.

What was the September 30th Movement, and how did it fail?

The September 30th Movement was a group of military officers who kidnapped and executed top military officials in an attempt to preempt an alleged right-wing coup. However, they had little outside support, and the movement was swiftly crushed by General Suharto by October 2, 1965.

How did Suharto use the coup attempt to gain power?

Suharto used the coup attempt to blame the Communists for the violence, taking control of the military, media, and public opinion. He positioned himself as the savior of the nation, crushed the Communist movement, and sidelined Sukarno, eventually assuming full control.

What was Operation Annihilation, and how did it affect the Indonesian Communist Party?

Operation Annihilation was a military campaign aimed at eradicating the Communist Party (PKI) and its members. It led to mass arrests, beatings, and executions of suspected Communists across Indonesia, with hundreds of thousands being killed.

What role did the U.S. and its allies play in the anti-communist purge in Indonesia?

The U.S. and its allies, concerned with the global spread of communism, supported Suharto’s anti-communist purge by providing military and communication equipment, helping spread anti-communist propaganda, and even providing lists of alleged Communist members to be targeted for imprisonment or execution.

What was the estimated death toll of the Indonesian mass killings of 1965-1966?

The estimated death toll of the Indonesian mass killings ranges from 500,000 to as high as 3 million, though the exact number is difficult to determine due to the chaotic nature of the violence.