Indonesia
Asia Country Project
Ancient Indonesia
Indonesia was first populated around 40,000 years ago when it was much closer to Asia. First the people only hunted animals, but nearing 2,500 BC they began to farm and grow rice and other foods. During this time all of their tools were made of stone. By 700 BC the people began making bronze and iron tools and weapons. From 400 BC the Indonesians began trading with other nations like China. Making huge advancements in society and living Indonesia was a prosperous group. Using wet rice fields, the Indonesian people could provide ample supplies of food to the people. Various religions then began to come including Buddhism and Hinduism followed by Islam around the 13th century. This caused various differing kingdoms to form each having their height of power before falling into a rapid decline.
Ancient Buddhist Temple
The Prambanan Temple Complex
Ancient Indonesian Cave Paintings
Colonial Indonesia
Beginning in the 16th century Indonesia was bombarded with countries wanting to use their land and rich spices to sell back in Europe. The Portuguese were the first country to arrive and quickly took over the main source of spices, Melaka, also an important port in 1511. While arriving first, the Portuguese lost their hold on Indonesia early in the 17th century. Once arriving the Dutch fleet formed the Dutch East India Company to control trade. During this period the Dutch increased their area of rule capturing various tribes, but still failed to influence Indonesia as a whole country. After only 100 years, the Dutch fell into debt and the project was taken over by the government. Shortly after, the Dutch went into war against the British. In 1811 the British took over all Dutch areas of Indonesia and abolished slavery. However four years later, the British returned Indonesia back to the Dutch. While the people resisted the return of the Dutch, the Dutch began retaking over areas. Wars broke out for the next 200 years. During these wars the Dutch exported huge amounts of resources to Europe until 1942 when Japan took over Indonesia. At first the people supported them, but later realized that they were worse than the Dutch. As the years followed, Indonesia was taken over three more times eventually to gain its independence in 1949.