Section II (National Study): Indonesia 1945-2005

13 dot points across 13 inquiry questions, in syllabus order. Each dot point has a focused answer, with exam-style questions and worked answers where available.

Why did Sukarno launch Konfrontasi against Malaysia, and what were its military, diplomatic, and economic consequences?

Konfrontasi (Confrontation) with Malaysia 1963 to 1966, including the Dwikora command, the Borneo campaigns, the role of the PKI, and the consequences for the Indonesian economy

Konfrontasi. Covers the origins in the formation of Malaysia (September 1963), the Dwikora speech, the Borneo cross-border campaigns, Australian and Commonwealth involvement, and the economic cost.

9 min read →

What was Suharto's New Order, and how did it transform Indonesian politics, economy, and society between 1967 and 1998?

Suharto's New Order 1967 to 1998, including dwifungsi, GOLKAR, Pancasila as sole foundation (asas tunggal), the Berkeley Mafia and economic development, and the limits of pembangunan

Suharto's New Order. Covers dwifungsi, GOLKAR electoral hegemony, the Berkeley Mafia, Pancasila as asas tunggal, the oil boom, transmigration, the family business empire, and the limits of pembangunan.

10 min read →

How did the Republic of Indonesia survive four years of armed struggle and diplomacy to win international recognition by December 1949?

The Indonesian National Revolution 1945 to 1949, including the Battle of Surabaya, Dutch police actions, the Renville and Linggadjati agreements, the Madiun Affair, and the transfer of sovereignty at the Round Table Conference

Indonesian National Revolution. Covers the Battle of Surabaya (November 1945), the Linggadjati and Renville agreements, the two Dutch police actions, the Madiun Affair, and the Round Table Conference transfer of sovereignty.

10 min read →

Why and how was Indonesian independence proclaimed on 17 August 1945, and what were its immediate political consequences?

The proclamation of independence on 17 August 1945, including the role of Sukarno and Hatta, the pemuda pressure at Rengasdengklok, the drafting of the proclamation, and the establishment of the Republic

Proclamation of Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945. Covers the Rengasdengklok kidnapping, the drafting of the proclamation at Maeda's house, the role of Sukarno and Hatta, and the immediate political consequences.

9 min read →

How did Indonesia transition from authoritarianism to democracy between 1998 and 2004, and what were the limits of Reformasi?

The Reformasi period 1998 to 2004, including Habibie's openings, the 1999 election, the Wahid and Megawati presidencies, constitutional amendments, decentralisation, and the limits of democratisation

Reformasi period. Covers Habibie's openings, the 1999 election, Wahid's impeachment, the four constitutional amendments, decentralisation under UU 22/1999, the 2002 abolition of TNI seats, and the 2004 direct presidential election.

10 min read →

How did the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis bring down the Suharto regime, and why did Suharto resign on 21 May 1998?

The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and the fall of Suharto in May 1998, including the rupiah collapse, the IMF programme, the May 1998 riots, student protests, and Suharto's resignation

1997 Asian Financial Crisis in Indonesia and Suharto's resignation. Covers the rupiah collapse, the IMF programme, the Trisakti shootings, the May 1998 anti-Chinese riots, the student occupation of the DPR, and Suharto's resignation on 21 May 1998.

10 min read →

What was Guided Democracy, and how did Sukarno's political balance of NASAKOM transform Indonesian politics between 1957 and 1965?

Sukarno's Guided Democracy 1957 to 1965, including the abandonment of parliamentary democracy, the role of NASAKOM (Nationalism, Religion, Communism), the West Irian campaign, and the deepening economic crisis

Sukarno's Guided Democracy. Covers the end of parliamentary democracy, NASAKOM, the PRRI-Permesta revolts, the West Irian campaign, MANIPOL-USDEK, and the economic crisis.

10 min read →

What happened on the night of 30 September 1965, and how did the army's response transform Indonesian politics through the anti-Communist massacres of 1965 to 1966?

The 30 September 1965 coup attempt (G30S) and the anti-Communist massacres of 1965 to 1966, including the killing of the generals, the role of Suharto, and the destruction of the PKI

30 September 1965 coup attempt and the anti-Communist killings. Covers G30S, the murder of six generals, Suharto's response, the Supersemar transfer of authority, and the killings of an estimated 500,000 to 1 million PKI members and sympathisers.

10 min read →

Why did Indonesia invade and occupy East Timor in 1975, and what were the consequences for Indonesian foreign relations and Timorese society?

The Indonesian occupation of East Timor 1975 to 1999, including the December 1975 invasion, annexation as the 27th province, the resistance under FRETILIN, the Santa Cruz massacre, and the 1999 referendum

East Timor under Indonesian occupation. Covers the Carnation Revolution, Operation Komodo, the invasion of December 1975, annexation, the FALINTIL resistance, the Santa Cruz massacre, and the 1999 referendum.

10 min read →

How did the Japanese occupation transform Indonesian political life and create the conditions for the proclamation of independence?

The nature and impact of the Japanese occupation of the Netherlands East Indies 1942 to 1945, including the collapse of Dutch rule, the use of Indonesian nationalists, the formation of PETA, romusha labour, and Japanese sponsorship of the independence movement

Japanese occupation of the Netherlands East Indies. Covers the collapse of Dutch rule in March 1942, the use of Sukarno and Hatta, PETA, the romusha forced labour system, the formation of BPUPKI and PPKI, and the verdicts of Ricklefs, Vickers, and Reid.

10 min read →

Why did parliamentary (liberal) democracy fail in Indonesia between 1949 and 1957, and how did this open the way to Guided Democracy?

The nature and breakdown of parliamentary democracy in Indonesia 1949 to 1957, including unstable cabinets, the 1955 elections, regional and ideological tensions, economic problems, and the move towards Guided Democracy

Parliamentary democracy in Indonesia 1949 to 1957: the federal RIS, unstable coalition cabinets, the 1955 elections (PNI, Masyumi, NU, PKI), regional and economic strain, and why Sukarno turned to Guided Democracy.

10 min read →

What was the significance of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's election as Indonesia's first directly elected president in 2004?

The 2004 election and the establishment of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's presidency, including the consolidation of Indonesian democracy, civil-military relations, and the conclusion of the national study period

2004 election and the start of Yudhoyono's presidency. Covers the first direct presidential election, the two rounds of voting, Yudhoyono's profile, the formation of his cabinet, and the consolidation of Indonesian democracy as the end of the national study period.

9 min read →

How did the 2002 Bali bombing transform Indonesian counter-terrorism, and how was the Aceh insurgency ended through the 2005 Helsinki peace process?

Terrorism and conflict in early Reformasi Indonesia, including the 12 October 2002 Bali bombing, the response to Jemaah Islamiyah, the Aceh insurgency, the December 2004 tsunami, and the 2005 Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding

2002 Bali bombing and the Aceh peace process. Covers Jemaah Islamiyah, the 12 October 2002 attacks at Kuta, the establishment of Densus 88, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), the 2004 tsunami, and the 15 August 2005 Helsinki MoU.

10 min read →