Indonesian female president

President of the Republic of Indonesia Date of Birth: 06.06.1901 Country: Indonesia

Content:

1. Early Life and Childhood
2. Significance of Name:
3. Education and Political Awakening:
4. The Nationalist Movement
5. Founding the Indonesian National Party (PNI):
6. Struggle for Independence
7. Declaration of Independence:
8. Rise to Dictatorship
9. Indonesian Socialism:
10. Decline and Downfall
11. Political Crisis and Coup:
12. Isolation and Legacy
13. Corrupt Practices:
14. Death and Legacy:

Early Life and Childhood

Birth and Name:

Sukarno, born as Kusno on June 6, 1901, in Surabaya, Java, was destined to lead Indonesia to independence. His Javanese parents believed that his birth at sunrise in the Year of the Ox marked him as a chosen one.

Significance of Name:

His father, worried about his weak health, renamed him "Karno," after the legendary warrior from the Mahabharata epic. The prefix "Su" (meaning "best" or "good") was added to his name to further enhance his destiny.

Education and Political Awakening:

Sukarno spent his formative years at the "cradle of nationalism," the home of Islamic leader Chokroaminoto. He left home to pursue higher education at one of East Java's elite schools, where he embraced nationalism, Islam, and Marxism.

The Nationalist Movement

Uniting Diverse Forces:

Sukarno recognized the need to unify the fragmented liberation movement that encompassed nationalism, Islamism, and Marxism. He declared in 1926, "The ship that will lead us to a free Indonesia is the ship of unity."

Founding the Indonesian National Party (PNI):

Sukarno consolidated his power by establishing the PNI in 1927. The PNI claimed to represent the interests of the common people and advocated for Indonesia's independence.

Struggle for Independence

Japanese Occupation:

During World War II, Japan promised independence to Indonesia in exchange for cooperation. Sukarno accepted this compromise, believing it was a stepping stone toward his ultimate goal.

Declaration of Independence:

Three days after Japan's surrender in 1945, Sukarno and his allies declared Indonesia's independence. He was elected as the country's first president, enjoying vast executive and legislative powers.

Rise to Dictatorship

Constitutional Changes:

Sukarno gradually concentrated power in his own hands. He dismissed the opposition and dissolved parliament in 1957, citing a need for "guided democracy."

Indonesian Socialism:

Sukarno introduced a unique brand of socialism that blended elements from the US Declaration of Independence, Islam, Marxism, and Javanese traditions. In 1963, he was appointed president for life.

Decline and Downfall

Growing Unrest and Corruption:

Sukarno's authoritarian rule and economic mismanagement led to widespread discontent and instability. In the mid-1960s, the country experienced severe inflation and a decline in living standards.

Political Crisis and Coup:

In 1965, an attempted coup by a leftist group accused Sukarno of communist sympathies. The army intervened, leading to a bloody crackdown and Sukarno's downfall.

Isolation and Legacy

Stripped of Power:

Sukarno was stripped of his presidential powers in 1966 and placed under house arrest. He attempted to resist, but his appeals were met with silence.

Corrupt Practices:

Sukarno was accused of corruption and mismanagement, but he was never prosecuted. The military believed that putting him on trial would be tantamount to putting the entire nation on trial.

Death and Legacy:

Sukarno's health deteriorated in his later years, and he died on July 21, 1970. His legacy remains complex and controversial, with some praising his nationalistic fervor while others criticize his authoritarian rule.