Dutch east indies

Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Dutch government in 1800.

History

The Dutch East India Company (VOC) had been formed in the early 17th century and the Dutch government established the Dutch West India Company in 1621. Both companies acquired and lost territories through war, but it was the VOC that contributed significantly to what would become the Dutch East Indies. By the mid-19th century, Dutch control over the islands was established.

Economy

The economy of the Dutch East Indies was heavily based on agriculture. The Dutch introduced the cultivation system, a form of forced plantation agriculture, to the colony. The system was used to produce cash crops for export, such as coffee, tea, sugar, tobacco, and rubber.

Independence

The Dutch East Indies declared independence as Indonesia on 17 August 1945, following the end of World War II. The Dutch initially tried to re-establish their rule, but after four years of warfare agreed to transfer sovereignty to the Republic of Indonesia.

See also

• Dutch colonial empire
• History of Indonesia
• Indonesian National Revolution

External links

• Encyclopædia Britannica - Dutch East Indies

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