On the 25th of November 1945, shortly after the capitulation of Japan, the Dutch General W. Schilling wrote a memorandum to van Mook (the Luitenant Governor General of Indonesia) advising against...Show moreOn the 25th of November 1945, shortly after the capitulation of Japan, the Dutch General W. Schilling wrote a memorandum to van Mook (the Luitenant Governor General of Indonesia) advising against military operations in Indonesia. He had a far more pessimistic view of the situation in the (former) colony then his colleagues. This thesis explores the background of Schilling's advice and the reasons why his opinion was different from that of other officers.Show less
For years, academics have focused on colonial past of Caribbean islands, not looking into what became of these non-sovereign jurisdictions. For this reason, this thesis focuses on the post-colonial...Show moreFor years, academics have focused on colonial past of Caribbean islands, not looking into what became of these non-sovereign jurisdictions. For this reason, this thesis focuses on the post-colonial relationship between a colonizer and colony, looking at the influence of smallness and non-sovereignty on the quality of governance. The relationship at hand is that within the Dutch Kingdom, between Aruba and the Netherlands; one that is constantly fluctuating. As Aruba has just celebrated 30 years of being an autonomous country within the Kingdom, it is a good time to reflect on the relationship, its influences and the quality of governance. It is apparent that there are also many advantages and disadvantages in the relationship; where each other’s support internationally is an advantage, and the Aruban mal-governance in the finance department is arguably the biggest disadvantage. The thesis elaborates on the influences of smallness, non-sovereignty and good governance on countries in general as well as on Aruba. The thesis ends combining all influences and concluding that there is no good governance in the jurisdiction and that its sovereignty is a bigger influence than smallness, as the island’s size cannot be changed. By using scholarly works, as well as media articles, archives and personal interviews conducted by the author herself; the thesis opens way for new research on the topic, as well as highlights the need for more discourse on the matter.Show less
This thesis explores the representation of the Dutch-Indonesian conflict – between August 1945 and December 1949 – within the American media. In contrast with the popular belief of a consistent and...Show moreThis thesis explores the representation of the Dutch-Indonesian conflict – between August 1945 and December 1949 – within the American media. In contrast with the popular belief of a consistent and principled anti-colonialist approach, current research establishes that the terms in which the press portrayed the conflict were not only developing over time but, in addition, were to a great extent dependent on pragmatic interests rather than idealistic beliefs. Studying media coverage parallel to U.S. policy-making will furthermore show that the press provided the parameters for the State Department’s actions.Show less
This thesis examines the massacre of Chinese in Tangerang that occurred between late May and June 1946, following the Dutch occupation in Serpong, Tangerang. More than a thousand Chinese men, women...Show moreThis thesis examines the massacre of Chinese in Tangerang that occurred between late May and June 1946, following the Dutch occupation in Serpong, Tangerang. More than a thousand Chinese men, women, and children were killed in various places in the interior of Tangerang. This thesis argues that the massacre was not an incidental event, but had its roots in the social disorganization, economic instability, and the collapse of authority occasioned by the Dutch colonial regime and Japanese occupation. Although outbursts of violence in Indonesia have a long history, the Tangerang massacre is a unique case, as it was targeted at a specific population, and it was perpetrated by a specific religious group. Moreover, jawara was also included in local patterns of violence and played a useful role of intimidation of those considered a problem of local government. Perpetrators of anti-Chinese violence in Tangerang justified their actions by saying that the Chinese were aliens in the community, as well as non-believers. The Tangerang massacre was only one in a long series of cases of anti-Chinese violence all over Java, in which both the Dutch and the Indonesian Republic failed to protect the lives of the Chinese population during the Indonesian Revolutionary period. Although considerable efforts were made by the Republic to protect the Chinese in order to enlist their support, the Republic's military forces were insufficient to prevent hostile acts by extremist elements whose animosity had been directed against the Chinese. Soon after the massacre in Tangerang, more cases of anti-Chinese violence emerged in other parts of Indonesia: Bagan Siapi-Api (1946), Cirebon (1947), Cibadak (1947), and Cilimus (1947). To date, no specific research has been conducted to examine the communal violence in those areas.Show less
