During World War II, the Dutch rule in Indonesia came to an end, when Java was occupied by militarist Japan. However in August 1945, the nationalists under the leadership of Ahmed Sukarno, seized political power from the Japanese. They then proclaimed the Republic of Indonesia with its capital at Djakarta. Though the Dutch opposed these developments, they finally recognized the independence of the Republic of the United States of Indonesia, except for New Guinea. In 1955, its name was changed back to the Republic of Indonesia and in 1963 the Dutch ceded New Guinea to the Republic of Indonesia.

The British were keen on controlling Malaya which was rich in tin and rubber. In 1954, the British were compelled to grant a large measure of self-rule, to the native nationalists and the communist guerillas. In 1957, the British recognized Malaya as an independent dominion. Since it was strategically and commercially an important port, the British made sure that Singapore was separated from Malaya. In 1958, partial self-rule was granted to Singapore and it later became a sovereign nation.

French Indo-China

Exhibit 16.4
Dr. Ho Chi Minh

Indo-China was composed of states like Annam, Tonkin, Cochin China, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos which were under French rule. During World War II, while Indo-China was under Japanese occupation, a native revolutionary movement known as Viet Minh was in progress. In August 1945, it brought about the dethronement of the pro-French Emperor Bao Dai of Annam. In his place, Dr. Ho Chi Minh was chosen as the national leader i.e. the President of an independent Republic of Vietnam.

However even until December 1949, Bao Dai was formally recognized by the French, as the head of the State of Vietnam. Thus two rival regimes were set up in Vietnam:

1. Ho Chi Minh’s government aided by the Communists and recognized by the USSR in 1950; and

2. Bao Dai’s government, backed by French troops, and recognized by the U.S., Great Britain and other western nations.