Beyond Borders: Indians, Australians and the Indonesian Revolution, 1939 to 1950

The Indonesian Revolution of 1939 to 1950 was a powerful symbol of hope at the grassroots levels in India and Australia, inspiring ordinary men and women to challenge colonialism and racism. This 1940s internationalism was buried behind the hardening borders of new nations and hostile Cold War blocs, but reemerged as the basis for the globalisation of later years.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 12 December 2018
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press

Indonesia's struggle for independence from 1945 to 1949 not only had a profound impact on the country itself but also had a significant impact on India and Australia. The news of the Indonesian revolution spread rapidly across colonial borders, inspiring ordinary men and women to join the anti-colonial movement. Whether they were seamen, soldiers, journalists, activists, or merchants, the Indonesian independence movement inspired them to challenge colonialism and racism. The outcomes of this movement were celebrated in each country through films, memoirs, and civic commemorations, creating a sense of shared history and identity.

However, as the borders of new nations hardened and the Cold War emerged, this 1940s internationalism began to fade. The heroes of the Indonesian revolution were remembered or invented, and the memory of the global struggle for independence was buried. But as the years passed, the legacy of the Indonesian revolution continued to shape the world. The globalisation of the 1990s and 2000s was built on the foundations of the Indonesian independence movement, as countries sought to connect and trade with one another in a increasingly interconnected world.

The Indonesian revolution also had a lasting impact on the political and social landscapes of India and Australia. The movement for independence in Indonesia inspired similar movements in other parts of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia. In India, the movement led to the creation of the Indian National Congress, which became a powerful force for social and political change. In Australia, the movement led to the formation of the Labor Party, which also played a significant role in shaping the country's political landscape.

In conclusion, the Indonesian revolution of 1945 to 1949 was a momentous event that had a profound impact on the world. It inspired ordinary men and women to join the anti-colonial movement, challenged colonialism and racism, and created a sense of shared history and identity. While the 1940s internationalism that emerged from this movement faded with the emergence of new nations and the Cold War, its legacy continued to shape the world in the years that followed. The Indonesian revolution remains a powerful symbol of hope and resistance against oppression and inequality, and its lessons continue to be relevant today.

Weight: 716g
Dimension: 165 x 241 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789462981454
Edition number: 0