Indonesian Independence Movement

Increasingly harsh Japanese rule between 1942-1945 stimulated the Indonesian Independence movement, and an underlying nationalist sentiment. Under the leadership of Sukarno and Mohommad Hatta, a nationalist group proclaimed Indonesia as an independent republic on 17 August 1945. A provisional constitution was adopted, which incorporated a strong presidential form of government. After much hostility between Indonesian independence groups and allied forces, the Netherlands eventually agreed to officially recognise Indonesian independence in 1949.