Sukarno

Sukarno was an Indonesian nationalist leader who became one of the principal figures in the struggle to end Dutch colonial rule. During the Japanese occupation he worked within Japanese-sponsored political structures while also promoting Indonesian nationalism. After Japan’s surrender, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaimed Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945.

Sukarno became president of the new republic and remained the most prominent political symbol of independence throughout the subsequent conflict with Dutch forces. International negotiations and armed resistance eventually led the Netherlands to transfer sovereignty in 1949. Phil Craig’s 1945: The Reckoning examines the opening of this post-war confrontation as European powers attempted to restore their Asian empires.