Sukarno was Indonesia's first president and a leading figure in the country's struggle for independence from Dutch colonial rule. Born on June 6, 1901, in Surabaya, East Java, he was initially named Kusno Sosrodihardjo. His father, Raden Soekemi Sosrodihardjo, was a teacher, while his mother, Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai, came from Bali with royal lineage.
Sukarno studied at a Dutch colonial primary school and later at a technical school in Bandung, where he became involved in nationalist activities. He then moved to Bandung Institute of Technology, where he studied civil engineering. Here, he began to articulate his vision of Indonesian nationalism, integrating ideas from various political ideologies including Marxism, Islam, and nationalism.
By the mid-1920s, Sukarno was already an influential nationalist leader. He co-founded the Partai Nasional Indonesia (Indonesian Nationalist Party) in 1927, advocating for immediate independence from Dutch rule. His political activities led to his arrest and imprisonment by the Dutch on several occasions. Despite this, his ideas continued to gain traction among Indonesians.
During World War II, when Japan occupied Indonesia, Sukarno cooperated with the Japanese to advance his nationalist agenda, believing it would aid in the push for independence. On August 17, 1945, just days after Japan surrendered, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declared Indonesia's independence. This proclamation set off a four-year struggle against the Dutch, who attempted to reassert control over Indonesia.
Sukarno became the first president of the Republic of Indonesia when the Dutch finally recognized Indonesian independence in December 1949. His leadership style was characterized by his charismatic speeches and his philosophy of Pancasila, which became the state ideology. Pancasila outlines five principles: belief in one supreme God, a just and civilized humanity, unity of Indonesia, democracy guided by the inner wisdom in the unanimity arising out of deliberations amongst representatives, and social justice for all.
Under his presidency, Indonesia saw significant political and economic challenges. He pursued a policy of "Guided Democracy," aiming to mediate between the various political factions within the country, which often led to authoritarian measures. His foreign policy was marked by the concept of "Non-Alignment," positioning Indonesia as a leader among newly independent countries during the Cold War era.
Sukarno's rule began to falter due to economic issues, corruption, and increasing political instability. The alleged 30 September Movement in 1965, an attempted coup, led to a power vacuum. This event precipitated a violent anti-communist purge, where hundreds of thousands were killed or imprisoned. In 1967, General Suharto effectively took control, and Sukarno was stripped of his presidential powers, marking the end of his political career.
Sukarno is remembered for his role in achieving Indonesian independence and for his vision of a unified, independent, and culturally rich Indonesia. His legacy is mixed; while he is celebrated for his nationalism and leadership in gaining independence, his later years are often criticized for economic mismanagement and authoritarian tendencies.
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