The Perjanjian Civil Affairs Agreement 14 Agustus 1945 is a pivotal moment in Indonesian history. This agreement, also known as the Linggarjati agreement, was signed between the Indonesian government and the Dutch government in an effort to establish a peaceful transition to Indonesian independence.
The agreement was named after the location of the negotiations, the Linggarjati village in West Java. The Indonesian delegation was led by the future first president of Indonesia, Sukarno, while the Dutch delegation was led by the Dutch colonial governor-general, Hubertus van Mook.
The Perjanjian Civil Affairs Agreement outlined a series of steps that would lead to full Indonesian independence. The agreement recognized the Indonesian nationalist movement as a political force and acknowledged that the Dutch government would eventually transfer sovereignty to Indonesia.
Under the agreement, the Dutch government would create a federal system of government that would grant significant autonomy to Indonesia. Additionally, the agreement created a joint commission to oversee the transfer of power and ensure a peaceful transition.
Although the Perjanjian Civil Affairs Agreement was a step towards independence, the agreement was not without controversy. Many Indonesians believed that the agreement did not go far enough in granting independence and that the Dutch government was still exerting too much control.
These tensions eventually led to the Indonesian National Revolution, a violent struggle for independence that lasted from 1945 to 1949. The Dutch government sought to reestablish control over the archipelago, but ultimately could not maintain its hold on the region.
Today, the Perjanjian Civil Affairs Agreement is remembered as a key moment in Indonesian history. The agreement marked the beginning of the end of Dutch colonialism and the creation of a truly independent Indonesia. By recognizing the Indonesian nationalist movement as a political force, this agreement ultimately paved the way for Indonesian independence.