Diametrically opposed
After the Japanese surrender, the Dutch hoped for a return to the pre-war situation. The nationalists were seeking recognition of the Indonesian Republic. Both parties were diametrically opposed to each other. The British liberators demanded that the Dutch negotiate with the nationalists. But the negotiations were difficult. The Netherlands refused to recognise a fully independent Indonesia.

‘Restore calm and order’
The Netherlands expanded its armed forces in Indonesia with volunteers and conscripts from the Netherlands. On 20 July 1947, Dutch troops entered Republican territory to ‘restore calm and order’. A second ‘police action’ followed in 1948. There was heavy fighting, in which thousands of Dutch people and tens of thousands of Indonesians were killed.

27 December 1949
The Dutch actions came under increasing criticism, both in the Netherlands and internationally. Under great pressure from the United States, the Netherlands resumed negotiations and eventually recognised Indonesian independence. On 27 December 1949, the Netherlands officially transferred sovereignty to the Republic of Indonesia.