Indonesia Colonial Records

Portuguese Colonization (1512-1602)
The Portuguese arrived in 1512 to dominate the sources of valuable spices. The Dutch arrived in 1602 to establish a monopoly.

Dutch Colonization (1602-1942)
The Dutch arrived in 1602 and followed the aspirations of the Portuguese with much more success. The Dutch regained control again in 1816. The last Dutch forces were defeated by Japan in March 1942.

French Colonization (1806-1811)
The East Indies were treated as a proxy French Colony in 1806. Control then shifted to the British in 1811.

British Colonization (1811-1815)
The British gained control from the French in 1811. Control was transferred back to the Dutch in 1815.

Japanese Colonization (1942-1945)
The Japanese defeated the Dutch in March 1942. Indonesian Independent was announced on 17 August 1945.