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| (1811-1815) wikimedia.org |
Based on the agreement in Treaty of Tuntang, since 1811 Java Island was under the authority of British Empire. To do the duty, British government promoted Thomas Stamford Raffles as lieutenant governor who would organize the government in Indonesia.
Raffles started his duty as lieutenant governor on 19th October 1811. He resided in Batavia. Raffles was a representative of young king (viceroy) Lord Minto. Immediately, Raffles did many improvements in Indonesia. His action in Indonesia was on the following sectors, such as
Government, Court, and Social Sectors
In government, court, and social sectors, Raffles did the following improvements:
- dividing Java Island into 16 residencies including Yogyakarya and Surakarta;
- forming landraad (court institution) in each residency;
- forbidding slave trading.
Economics
In economics, Raffles did the following improvements:
- applying land rent or land tax (landrente system);
- selling land to private owners, like Karawang, Priangan, Semarang, and Surabaya.
Science
In science, Raffles did the following improvements:
- composting a history book entitled History of Java in 1817;
- inviting foreigner expert to do scientific research in Indonesi;
- finding a giant flower called Rafflesia arnoldi.
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| wikimedia.org |
Raffles government did not take a long time because British government had to give Indonesia back to the Netherlands. It is caused by the change of power in Europe. Napoleon authority fallen at 1814. Therefore, the Netherlands was not occupied by France anymore. Napoleon government was over.
European countries soon held a conference in Wina that was called Wina Congress (1814-1815). The congress stated that Europe condition and situation had to bring back like before France Revolution. Therefore, British must return the Dutch colonies that they grabbed. This colonies return was agreed by Treaty of London in 1814. Treaty of London, stated such as, the Netherlands would receive its former colonies that grabbed by British.
Raffles did not agree with the content of Treaty of London and he did not want to give back Indonesia to the Dutch. So, he was replaced by John Fendall (1816) who must give Java Island to the Dutch. Then, the Netherlands government immediately formed general commissioner that consisted of Mr. Elout, Buyskes, and van der Cappelen. In 1816, general commissioner formally received the authority over Indonesia from British. By then, Indonesia was occupied by the Dutch again. Next, the Dutch government period was well known as the Dutch colonial government period.
Ditulis
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