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August 1945
August 9 Sukarno, Hatta, and Radjiman Wediodiningrat are flown by the Japanese to Vietnam to meet with Marshal Terauchi. There they are informed of the collapse of Japanese forces, and that Japan will grant Indonesia independence on August 24. August 14 Sukarno, Hatta, and Radjiman Wediodiningrat return to Jakarta, mistrustful of the Japanese promise. August 15 Japan surrenders to the Allies. The Japanese army and navy still control Indonesia. Japan has agreed to return Indonesia to the Dutch. August 16 Sukarno and Hatta are spirited away by youth leaders to Rengasdengklok at 3:00 A.M. They later return to Jakarta, meet with General Yamamoto, and spend the next night at Vice-Admiral Maeda Tadashi's residence. Sukarno and Hatta are told privately that Japan no longer has the power to make decisions regarding the future of Indonesia. August 17 Sukarno reads the brief, succinct, and unilateral "Proklamasi"; the Declaration of Independence. PETA forces, radical youths, and ordinary people in Jakarta organize defense of Sukarno's residence. Flyers are distributed proclaiming independence. Adam Malik sends out a shortwave announcement of the Proklamasi. August 18 Piagam Jakarta (Jakarta Charter) mentioning Islam among the Pancasila principles is dropped from the preamble to the new constitution. August 22 Japanese announce their surrender publicly in Jakarta. The New Republic: The constitution that had been drafted by the preparatory committee, and announced on the 18th, is adopted (UUD 45). Sukarno is declared President, Hatta is declared Vice-President. KNIP (Central Indonesian National Committee) is the temporary governing body until elections can be held. The new government is installed on August 31. Japanese forces disarm and disband Peta and Heiho. Many members of these groups have not yet heard of independence. August 23 BKR (Badan Keamanan Rakyat), predecessor to ABRI, begins organizing from former Peta and Heiho members. Dutch forces land at Sabang in Aceh. The Patih (chief advisor) of Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX of Yogya dies, no successor chosen, Sultan takes charge of his own affairs, begins to institute reforms in Yogya Tan Malaka reappears in Jakarta.	The original constitution of 1945 is not very specific on many issues, and placed much power in the hands of the President. In 1950 a more comprehensive constitution was adopted that gave the most power to the Assembly, but this constitution was dropped in favor of a return to the 1945 constitution under Sukarno's orders in 1959. In the opinion of the victorious Allied powers in 1945, Lord Mountbatten, the Allied supreme commander in southeast Asia, was in charge of Sumatra and Java. Australian forces were given responsibility for Kalimantan and Eastern Indonesia.
September 1945
September 1 Van Mook, Dutch Lieutenant-Governor of the Indies, meets British Lord Mountbatten in Ceylon, and asks that Japanese troops still in Indonesia be ordered by the British to suppress the Republican government. Mountbatten agrees, but the Japanese delay. September 5 Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX of Yogya and Pakualam VIII in Yogya declare their palaces to be part of the Republic of Indonesia. September 8 First British troops parachute into Kemayoran Airport at Jakarta. Japanese navy in Kalimantan formally surrenders to Australian forces near Balikpapan. September 9 Japanese navy in eastern Indonesia formally surrender to Australian forces at Morotai. Japanese forces on Timor surrender to Australians in Kupang harbor. September 16 British Rear Admiral Patterson lands in Jakarta. He announces that the British mission is "to maintain law and order until the time that the lawful government of the Netherlands East Indies is once again functioning". The Dutch ask Patterson to have the leaders of the Republic arrested, but the British high command tells Patterson not to interfere in politics. September 17 Mass pro-Republic rallies in Jakarta. September 23 Patterson sends Captain Huyer of the Dutch Navy to inspect installations in Surabaya. September 27 Republican youths take over PTT (Post, Telegraph and Telephone) headquarters in Bandung. September 29 British reinforcements land in Jakarta. Republican youths take over railways and radio stations in Jakarta, installations in Yogya, Solo, Malang, and Bandung. Mass independence rallies are held in Jakarta and Surabaya. The Susuhunan of Solo declares allegiance to Republic. King of Bone declares support for the Republic; rajas of Makassar and Bugis join him. Balinese rajas declare their support for the Republic. Former Peta and Heiho soldiers, Islamic forces try to organize themselves into a new fighting force. Scattered violence breaks out between youths and Dutch former internees. Dutch soldiers who had been prisoners-of-war under the Japanese are put back into active service against the Republic. Australian troops take surrender from Japanese navy. Australian military gives support to NICA (Netherlands Indies Civil Administration) to retain government control in eastern areas, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan.	Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX of Yogya was an early supporter of the new Republic.
October 1945
October 5 ABRI founded. October 8 Republican forces in Surabaya take Captain Huyer into custody. British troops in Padang, Medan, Palembang. Fighting escalates between Republican youths and foreigners. Dutch troops attack civilians. ABRI forces skirmish with Dutch on Java, Sumatra, Bali. Japanese military police massacre Republican youths in Pekalongan. Japanese troops push Republicans out of Bandung; hand over city to British. October 14 Republican youths begin five-day battle against Japanese troops in Semarang. October 16 Sutan Sjahrir and Amir Sjarifuddin take over Central Indonesian National Committee (KNIP). Sjahrir is Prime Minister of the Republic. Sjahrir publishes pamphlet in support of democracy and social justice, and against feudalism, fascism and the remnants of Japanese fascist thought. October 17 Van Mook sends telegram to Dutch government urging that negotiations with the Republic be rejected. October 18 Japanese troops secure Semarang; hand over city to British. October 22 Nahdlatul Ulama proclaims that a state of jihad exists against the Dutch, making participation obligatory for Muslims. October 23 Under British pressure, Van Mook meets with Sukarno for informal talks. Neither side gives ground. Japanese Admiral Shibata surrenders Surabaya to Dutch, but hands over his weapons to Republicans. Many Japanese troops are disarmed by Republican youths. October 25 British 49th Indian Infantry arrives under General Mallaby. October 27 British airplanes drop leaflets on Surabaya demanding surrender by Republican forces within 24 hours. British troops on the ground are nearly destroyed by Indonesian troops and mobs of ordinary people. October 29 Sukarno and Hatta arrive in Surabaya by plane. Sukarno and General Mallaby agree on a truce. Poor communications and general chaos prevent Sukarno from enforcing the truce. Australian commander in South Sulawesi bans all political activity, organization of militias, etc. among the public under his control. October 30 British Major General Hawthorn flies to Surabaya from Jakarta. Sukarno, Hatta, Mallaby, and Hawthorn sign a cease-fire. Five hours later Mallaby is killed. British bombard Surabaya as punishment, thousands left dead or homeless. British strafe civilian refugees on highway. PKI created again.	Sjahrir was more inclined to negogiate with the Dutch; Sjarifuddin was not only a Communist, but a figure who had received covert support from the Dutch government-in-exile during the war. There was friction between Sjarifuddin as Minister of Defense, who was secretly Communist and may have had Dutch ties, and ABRI, which was dominated by officers who served in PETA under the Japanese and had Islamic sympathies. Van Mook was never quite happy that he had been named "Lieutenant-Governor" instead of "Governor-General" of the Indies.
November 1945
November 3 Sukarno lifts ban on political parties. November 9 Sukarno asks Sjahrir to form a Cabinet. British 5th Indian Division lands at Surabaya. November 10 (Heroes' Day/Hari Pahlawan) Indonesian counterattack in Surabaya. Fighting continues for three weeks. 600 Indian troops defect from the British and join the Indonesians. Some Japanese troops battle ABRI forces on Java, Sumatra, Bali. Dutch abandon Aceh forever. Japanese-favored leaders removed from NU and Muhammadiyah. Kongres Ummat Islam Indonesia meets, remakes the originally Japanese-organized Masyumi as an Indonesian and Islamic political party. November 23 British Foreign Secretary Bevin urges negotiations between the Dutch and the Republic.	Many of the British occupying troops in Indonesia in 1945 were actually from India. Nehru strongly protested the use of Indian troops against Indonesians; this was an important reason that the British withdrew.
December 1945
12-15 December Battle of Ambarawa 15 December Soedirman installed as Panglima Besar (supreme commander) Allies evacuate remaining Japanese from Aceh; a few Japanese remain to help Republic. "Social War" breaks out in Aceh: the traditional aristocracy loses in a bloody conflict with Islamic leaders. Sjahrir, Sjahrifuddin and their followers form Partai Sosialis. Dutch forces begin to replace Australians as occupying power in eastern areas.	In the areas that were controlled by the new Republic of Indonesia, ABRI forces carried out their mission to repatriate Japanese soldiers, Allied prisoners of war and former internees.
January 1946
PNI reestablished. Persatuan Perjuangan (Union of Struggle) formed by Tan Malaka to oppose Sjahrir government and negotiations. Soedirman speaks against negotiations and Sjahrir. "Barisan Banteng" radicals kidnap Pakubuwono XII of Surakarta. Republic of Indonesia government leaves Jakarta for Yogya. Gajah Mada University founded in Yogya; Sultan offers front portion of Kraton to house it. Dutch forces occupy Bangka and Belitung. Indonesia issue raised in UN for the first time.	At the beginning of 1946, Dutch forces in Indonesia numbered about 20,000.
February 1946
February 10 Van Mook sends proposal to Sjahrir for "democratic partnership" between the Netherlands and Indonesia, but which still does not provide for real independence.
March 1946
"Social War" breaks out in Batak areas of Sumatra. Tan Malaka and Persatuan Perjuangan increase criticism of Sjahrir. March 12 Sjahrir publicly replies to Van Mook's offer of February, demanding immediate recognition of Indonesia's sovereignty without delay. March 17 Sjahrir and Sjahrifuddin pull their followers out of Persatuan Perjuangan, arrest Tan Malaka and others. Sjahrir secretly agrees with Dutch to negotiate for Republican control of Java, Madura and Sumatra only, in a political union with the Netherlands, Curaçao and Surinam.
April 1946
King of Bone and Republican government arrested by Dutch in Sulawesi. Dutch replace British in Bandung. "Bandung Lautan Api": Indonesians burn down city rather than surrender it to the Dutch. Barisan Banteng rules Surakarta in defiance of Sjahrir government. April 14 Dutch and Indonesian representatives begin talks at Hoge Veluwe in the Netherlands. The talks are unsuccessful.
May 1946
Violence between Toba and Karo Bataks in Sumatra. Nasution takes command of Siliwangi division of ABRI. Soedirman gives speech with Sukarno present: government must work for the principles of the Constitution (UUD 45) and independence.
June 1946
Government revokes privileges of Pakubuwono and Mangkunegara houses in Surakarta, under pressure from Soedirman. June 27 Army units under General Sudarsono open the jail in Surakarta and release Tan Malaka and his followers. Sjahrir is arrested in Surakarta while on an overnight stay the same night, and is taken to the Kraton (Sultan's Palace) with other notable figures. General Sudarsono's troops occupy Yogya. Sukarno declares martial law and demands Sjahrir's release. Troops loyal to Sukarno advance on Surakarta from Surabaya; the loyal Siliwangi division sends troops to Yogya. Adam Malik, young radical, others are arrested.
July 1946
Allies officially turn over all of Indonesia except Java and Sumatra to Dutch. July 2 General Sudarsono and Mohamed Yamin visit Sukarno in person, and demand that Sjahrir be replaced by Tan Malaka. Sjahrir, supposedly still a captive, surprises everyone by walking into the room. Sukarno orders that Sudarsono and Yamin be arrested. July 3 "July 3rd Affair": army units release Adam Malik from jail and demand that Soedirman be put in charge of security. Sukarno takes control of the situation. Sjahrir reorganizes government to include Natsir, Sjarifuddin, the Sultan of Yogya, Haji Agus Salim, and Djuanda. July 15 Van Mook calls conference at Malino, Sulawesi, to plan for new Dutch-sponsored state in eastern Indonesia.	The Philippines became independent from the United States on July 4, 1946.
September 1946
Talk are reopened between the Sjahrir government and the Dutch at Linggajati, near Cirebon.
October 1946
October 14 Preliminary military truce signed at Linggajati.
November 1946
November 15 Linggajati agreement: Dutch recognize Republic of Indonesia authority in Java, Sumatra and Madura. Both sides agree to form United States of Indonesia with Netherlands crown as symbolic head. November 20 Battle of Marga: resistance on Bali led by Ngurah Rai is defeated by Dutch force. November 29 Last British troops leave Indonesia. Dutch Capt. Raymond Westerling begins campaign in South Sulawesi against Republican youths. Westerling and his men commit many war crimes against citizens, including atrocities against children and hospital patients.
December 1946
December 18 Dutch create state of East Indonesia/Negara Indonesia Timur at conference in Denpasar, Bali. Sjahrir protests. "Left Wing/Sayap Kiri" coalition packs KNIP with pro-Linggajati members.	The Dutch delayed signing the Linggajati agreement for months. Many of their actions over the following six months appeared to be aimed at undermining it.
February 1947
Sukarno and Hatta threaten to resign if Linggajati is not ratified.
March 1947
March 25 Netherlands government finally ratifies Linggajati agreement. Dutch create state of West Kalimantan with Sultan of Pontianak at head; Sjahrir protests.
June 1947
Dutch complain that Indonesia is stopping shipments of rice to Dutch-controlled areas. June 26 Dutch forces mobilize for an invasion of Madura, and eventually Java. William Foote, a USA diplomat, intervenes and offers to mediate between Dutch and Indonesians. The invasion is postponed. June 27 Amir Sjarifuddin and the "Left Wing" withdraw support of Sjahrir. Sjahrir leaves the government and becomes Indonesia's representative at the United Nations. Amir Sjarifuddin becomes Prime Minister.
July 1947
July 8 Sjarifuddin government makes conciliatory offer to Dutch: Republic of Indonesia will stop seeking international recognition; Netherlands officials can take government positions in the Republic. 20 July first Dutch "police action": Dutch troops occupy West Java, East Java, Madura, Semarang, Medan, Palembang, Padang, bomb many cities. 30 July Young students blow up bridge at Bumiayu, preventing Dutch forces from taking Purwokerto. USA and Britain unhappy, India, Australia, Soviet Union support the Republic of Indonesia in the UN. Refugees pour into Central Java. Australia boycotts Dutch shipping.	At the start of the first Dutch "police action", there were 92,000 Dutch forces in Indonesia.
August 1947
August 1 UN Security Council calls for cease-fire in Indonesia. August 4 Ceasefire agreed to by Dutch and Sukarno, but is ignored in the field. Dutch declare "Van Mook line" at the edge of their military advances in Java and Sumatra.
October 1947
Dutch military tries to consolidate control of areas within the "Van Mook line". Dutch take control of all of Madura.
December 1947
Dutch create state of East Sumatra. December 8 Dutch and Indonesian representatives meet on board the U.S.S. Renville, a U.S. Navy transport stationed in the Philippines, which was moved Jakarta harbor for the talks.
January 1948
January 17 Renville agreement under UN auspices draws ceasefire line favorable to Dutch. PNI, Masyumi, and Tan Malaka oppose the Renville agreement. Sjarifuddin resigns as Prime Minister. Sukarno appoints Hatta to head emergency cabinet answerable to President.	The Renville agreement called for a truce along the so-called "Van Mook line". The original draft did not even mention the Republic. Amendments were added that included mention of the Republic of Indonesia after the United States applied pressure on the Dutch, and it was only then that the Indonesians agreed.
February 1948
Sjahrir forms PSI, supports Sukarno Dutch create state of Madura, state of "Pasundan" in West Java "Left Wing" under Amir Sjarifuddin renames itself People's Democratic Front. Sjarifuddin criticizes Renville agreement. Col. Nasution leads Siliwangi division out of West Java to Central Java.	The Dutch blockaded the areas under control of the Republic of Indonesia around this time, causing shortages of food and medicine.
March 1948
Van Mook creates provisional government for federated Indonesia.	By this time, Van Mook saw that Indonesia would not remain a colony of the Netherlands forever. His actions became not so much efforts to keep the Netherlands Indies, as ways to manage a slow transition to self-rule.
May 1948
Kartosuwirjo proclaims himself Imam of Negara Islam Indonesia, or "Darul Islam", Islamic state rebelling against both Dutch and the Republic.
July 1948
July 8 Representatives of 13 Dutch-controlled states created by Van Mook convene at Bandung, to begin process of creating United States of Indonesia.
August 1948
August 11 Musso, former PKI leader from the 1920s, arrives in Yogya after spending twelve years in the Soviet Union. Sjarifuddin announces that he has been an underground member of PKI. PKI sponsors strikes and demonstrations. Hatta, with little money to pay troops, begins demobilizing some ABRI units.
September 1948
Dutch create state of South Sumatra. PKI gains recruits from PDF; new Politburo includes Aidit, Lukman and Njoto. Republican Government releases Tan Malaka from custody as counter to PKI influence. September 5 Musso gives speech advocating that Indonesia align itself with the Soviet Union. September 17 Siliwangi division drives PKI out of Surakarta; PKI retreats to Madiun. September 18 PKI attempts coup in Madiun, kills pro-government officers there. September 19 PKI figures in Yogya arrested; Sukarno denounces Madiun coup; Musso replies that he will fight; popular opinion sides with Sukarno. September 30 Siliwangi division recaptures Madiun. PKI abandons Madiun, pursued by army. Aidit and Lukman leave for China.	The "Madiun incident" was the second time the PKI made an unsuccessful, poorly-planned revolt. The first was against the Dutch in 1926-7; the last was in 1965.
October 1948
Pro-government Tan Malaka followers create Murba Party. Tan Malaka is arrested again. October 11 Van Mook resigns as Lt.-Governor of the Indies. October 31 Musso killed while attempting to escape arrest.
November 1948
Dutch create state of East Java.
December 1948
December 1 Amir Sjarifudddin captured. December 11 Dutch inform UN representatives that further talks with the Republic are "futile". December 18 Dutch officials tell representatives of the United States and the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta that they are cancelling the Renville agreement. The news does not reach Yogya, as the Dutch have already cut the phone lines there. December 19 Second Dutch "police action" begins at 5:30 A.M. without warning. Yogya falls to the Dutch. Civil government of republic, including Sukarno, Hatta, Sjahrir, allows itself to be captured, hoping to outrage world opinion; Sukarno and Sjahrir are taken into Dutch custody, and eventually flown to Bangka. Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX of Yogya remains in his palace, and does not leave during the entire Dutch occupation. Dutch occupy Bukittinggi. Emergency government for Indonesia is declared (PRDI) at Payakumbuh nearby. Tan Malaka escapes again during the confusion. December 20 Army executes Sjarifuddin, withdraws from Yogya. All of Indonesia except Aceh in Dutch control; guerilla warfare heats up; Soedirman leads guerilla war from sickbed. Many American newspapers publish editorials against the Dutch. December 22 Nasution declares military government for Java. UN is outraged at Dutch; Dutch attack while UN observers are at Kaliurang. 19 Asian countries boycott Dutch. Dutch-chosen members of East Indonesia state government vote to condemn the "police action". USA suspends postwar aid to the Netherlands (Marshall Plan money) that is budgeted for military use in Indonesia. December 24 UN Security Council calls for end to hostilities. December 31 Dutch accept UN call for ceasefire in Java.	Panglima Besar Soedirman Soedirman is warmly remembered today as perhaps the greatest hero of the revolution. Towards the end of the fighting, he fell ill and directed troops from his sickbed.
January 1949
January 5 Dutch accept UN call for ceasefire in Sumatra Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX of Yogya refuses Dutch offer to head new Javanese state, resigns as head of Yogya government, aids Republic guerilla fighters January 28 UN Security Council demands release of the Republican government, and independence for Indonesia by July 1, 1950.	There was significant guerilla activity against the Dutch during this period.
February 1949
February 7 Resolution is introduced in United States Senate to stop all Marshall Plan aid to the Netherlands. Resolution is defeated on March 8.
March 1949
March 1 Guerillas retake Yogya for six hours under Suharto. March 31 U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson privately tells Dutch that their Marshall Plan aid is still in jeopardy.
April 1949
April 6 United States Senate passes resolution to stop Marshall Plan aid to the Netherlands, but only if the UN Security Council votes sanctions against the Netherlands. April 16 Tan Malaka is captured and executed by an ABRI commander after a Dutch contingent attacks the town where he was staying. April 22 Dutch announce that they will return the Republican government to Yogya if the guerilla war stops.
May 1949
Sukarno and Hatta remain in custody on Bangka. May 7 Dutch agree to restore Republic of Indonesia government, and to hold talks according to the UN Security Council resolution of January 28. General Spoor, commander of the Dutch in Indonesia, resigns. He dies of a heart attack on May 25.
June 1949
June 24 Dutch troops begin evacuating Yogya. June 29 ABRI troops enter Yogya.
July 1949
July 6 Republican government returns to Yogya. Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX receives Sukarno and Hatta at the Kraton. Dutch-created states hold conference, support joining Republic
August 1949
Republic troops retake Surakarta. August 11 Ceasefire on Java. August 15 Ceasefire on Sumatra. Hamengkubuwono IX of Yogya coordinates handovers from Dutch to Republic. Dutch begin releasing 12000 prisoners. August 23 Round Table conference begins in the Hague. Hatta head delegation for the Republic of Indonesia, Sultan of Pontianak heads delegation from the Dutch-created states.
November 1949
November 2 The Hague Agreement is the result of the Round Table Conference: "Republik Indonesia Serikat" would have the crown of the Netherlands as a symbolic head, Sukarno as President, Hatta as Vice-President. It consists of 15 Dutch-created states plus the original Republic. Sovereigny is to be transferred by December 30. Dutch investments are protected, and the new government is responsible for the billion-dollar Netherlands Indies government debt. The Dutch keep Irian Jaya.
December 1949
December 19 Universitas Gadjah Mada founded at Yogya. December 27 Dutch formally transfer sovereignty to Republic of Indonesia. December 28 Sukarno returned to Jakarta.	The Dutch finally signed their defeat at this table, preserved still in the Kraton Yogyakarta.
January 1950
January 23 Dutch Capt. Westerling attempts assassination and coup in Bandung; some members of Dutch-created Pasundan government are involved. January 27 Pasundan government dissolves itself. January 29 Soedirman dies.
February 1950
Westerling sneaks out of country.
March 1950
Most Dutch-created states have dissolved themselves and joined Republic.
April 1950
Sultan of Pontianak arrested for connections with Westerling plot. RUSI takes over West Kalimantan state. Republic and pro-Dutch forces clash at Ujung Pandang; East Indonesia government is shaken. April 25 Republic of South Maluku proclaimed at Ambon.
May 1950
East Indonesia decides to dissolve itself into the Republic of Indonesia.
July 1950
Republic of Indonesia troops begin putting down Republic of South Maluku. Dutch disband Netherlands Indies armed forces (KNIL).	As many as 300,000 Dutch citizens left Indonesia for the Netherlands around 1950.
August 1950
17 August New constitution; the new Republic of Indonesia is made out of the original (now expanded) Republic, East Sumatra and East Indonesia. There is no more RUSI. Jakarta is the capital of the Republic.