Sukarno in Indonesia for AP World History

Feb 7, 2024

2 min read

Sukarno in Indonesia is an illustrative example of the Cold War topic in Unit 8 of AP World History. You could reference this example on your AP World History test.

During the Cold War, Indonesia, under the leadership of Sukarno, emerged as a prominent player in the global political arena by championing the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Sukarno, the charismatic first president of Indonesia, played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s foreign policy, steering it away from aligning with either the Western bloc led by the United States or the Eastern bloc led by the Soviet Union.

Sukarno’s rise to power followed Indonesia’s struggle for independence from Dutch colonial rule. As the founding father of the Indonesian nation, Sukarno was revered for his nationalist fervor and anti-colonial sentiments. Upon assuming the presidency in 1945, he embarked on a mission to establish Indonesia as a sovereign and influential nation on the world stage.

Central to Sukarno’s foreign policy was the doctrine of “dynamic neutrality,” which aimed to maintain Indonesia’s independence and autonomy amidst the intensifying rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. Sukarno viewed the Cold War as a manifestation of imperialism and neocolonialism, and he sought to position Indonesia as a leader of the newly independent nations in the Global South.

In 1955, Sukarno played a key role in convening the historic Bandung Conference, which brought together leaders from 29 Asian and African countries. The conference laid the foundation for the Non-Aligned Movement, advocating for principles such as national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of states. Sukarno’s eloquent speeches and diplomatic acumen at Bandung solidified Indonesia’s status as a leader of the non-aligned bloc.

Throughout the Cold War, Sukarno maintained a delicate balancing act, seeking economic and military assistance from both superpower camps while fiercely guarding Indonesia’s independence. Despite facing pressure from both the United States and the Soviet Union to align with their respective ideologies, Sukarno remained steadfast in his commitment to non-alignment.

However, Sukarno’s tenure as president was marked by domestic challenges, including economic instability, political dissent, and regional separatist movements. His increasingly authoritarian rule and flirtation with socialist policies fueled tensions within Indonesia and strained relations with Western powers.

In 1965, Sukarno’s presidency was abruptly ended by a military coup led by General Suharto, which was allegedly supported by the United States. The new regime ushered in a period of anti-communist purges and shifted Indonesia’s foreign policy towards closer alignment with the West.

Despite Sukarno’s ousting, his legacy as a champion of non-alignment and Third World solidarity endured. The principles espoused by Sukarno at the Bandung Conference continued to shape Indonesia’s foreign policy for decades to come, solidifying its role as a leading voice in the Non-Aligned Movement and a proponent of global peace and solidarity during the Cold War era.

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