History & Words: ‘Instigator’ (August 17)
Welcome to ‘History & Words.’ I’m Prashant, founder of Wordpandit and the Learning Inc. Network. This series combines my passion for language learning with historical context. Each entry explores a word’s significance on a specific date, enhancing vocabulary while deepening understanding of history. Join me in this journey of words through time.
๐ Word of the Day: Instigator
Pronunciation: /หษชnstษชษกeษชtษr/ (in-sti-GAY-ter)
๐ Introduction
On August 17, 1945, Indonesia declared independence from Dutch colonial rule, with charismatic nationalist leader Sukarno serving as the primary instigator of this momentous event. This declaration came just two days after Japan’s surrender in World War II, representing a strategic move to establish sovereignty before the Dutch could reestablish their colonial administration.
The concept of an instigatorโone who initiates or provokes significant actionโis embodied perfectly in Sukarno and his fellow independence leaders, who seized a narrow window of opportunity between Japanese capitulation and Dutch return to launch their nation into existence. Their actions that day would trigger a four-year revolutionary struggle against the Netherlands, which would finally recognize Indonesian independence in 1949.
This event exemplifies how instigators of political change often emerge during periods of transition and uncertainty, recognizing and exploiting moments when established power structures are vulnerable. The Indonesian proclamation of independence represents one of the pivotal post-World War II decolonization movements that would reshape global politics in the second half of the 20th century.
๐ฑ Etymology
The word “instigator” derives from the Latin verb “instigare,” meaning “to incite, stimulate, or urge on.” The term entered English in the 16th century, initially carrying negative connotations of goading or provoking someone to commit harmful acts. Over time, while the word has retained some of these negative associations, it has also evolved to encompass more neutral or even positive contexts, particularly in describing those who initiate social movements, political reforms, or revolutionary changes.
๐ Key Vocabulary
- ๐ Proclamation: A public or official announcement, especially one dealing with a matter of great importance
- ๐ Decolonization: The process by which colonies become independent of the colonizing country
- ๐ Revolutionary: Relating to or characterized by a complete or dramatic change, or someone who advocates such change
- ๐ Sovereignty: Supreme power or authority; the authority of a state to govern itself
๐๏ธ Historical Context
The role of instigators in historical change has been evident throughout human civilization. In ancient times, figures like Spartacus instigated slave revolts against Roman authority, while religious reformers such as Martin Luther instigated profound changes in Western Christianity. The Age of Enlightenment produced instigators of intellectual and political revolution, from Voltaire to Thomas Paine, whose words provoked new ways of thinking about governance and human rights.
The 20th century saw the emergence of numerous instigators of independence movements in colonized territories worldwide. Following World War I, figures like Mahatma Gandhi began instigating non-violent resistance against British rule in India. The trend accelerated dramatically after World War II, when the weakened position of traditional European colonial powers, combined with growing nationalist sentiments and international support for self-determination, created fertile ground for independence movements.
In Southeast Asia, the Japanese occupation during World War II paradoxically strengthened nationalist sentiments by disrupting European colonial rule and, in some cases, providing military training to local populations. When Japan surrendered in August 1945, a power vacuum emerged that nationalist leaders quickly moved to fill. Indonesia’s situation was particularly significant as the largest and most populous colony in the region, with a nationalist movement that had been developing for decades.
โณ Timeline
- 1908: Budi Utomo, the first Indonesian nationalist organization, is formed
- 1927: Sukarno founds the Indonesian Nationalist Party (PNI)
- 1942-1945: Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies
- August 15, 1945: Japan surrenders, ending World War II
- August 17, 1945: Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaim Indonesian independence
- 1945-1949: Indonesian National Revolution against Dutch attempts to reestablish control
- December 27, 1949: The Netherlands formally recognizes Indonesian independence
- 1955: Indonesia hosts the Bandung Conference of non-aligned nations
๐ The Day’s Significance
August 17, 1945, marks a decisive moment when Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, acting as instigators of a new nation, issued a brief but powerful proclamation of independence. The text, merely two sentences long, declared: “We the people of Indonesia hereby declare the independence of Indonesia. Matters concerning the transfer of power and other matters will be carried out in an orderly manner and in the shortest possible time.”
The timing of this declaration was deliberately calculated. The Japanese surrender on August 15 had created a brief power vacuum before Allied forces (including the Dutch) could arrive to accept the Japanese surrender and reestablish colonial administration. Young Indonesian revolutionaries, eager for immediate action, had kidnapped Sukarno and Hatta the night before, pressuring them to declare independence without delay. Understanding both the opportunity and the danger of the moment, Sukarno agreed to make the proclamation.
The declaration took place at Sukarno’s house on Jalan Pegangsaan Timur 56, Jakarta (then called Batavia), with a modest ceremony attended by a small crowd. Sukarno read the proclamation, followed by the raising of the red and white Indonesian flag. Though seemingly modest, this event effectively instigated the birth of a nation and a subsequent revolutionary war.
The immediate aftermath was complex and volatile. The Netherlands refused to recognize the declaration and, with British assistance, attempted to reestablish control. This led to four years of armed conflict and diplomatic negotiations, during which Sukarno continued to serve as the primary instigator and symbolic leader of the independence movement. Throughout this period, his charismatic leadership and oratorical skills helped maintain revolutionary momentum.
๐ฌ Quote
“Give me ten Sukarnos and I will shake the world.” – Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India, commenting on Sukarno’s powerful ability to instigate change
๐ฎ Modern Usage and Reflection
Today, the term “instigator” maintains its complexity, carrying both negative connotations in contexts like “instigator of violence” and more positive or neutral meanings when referring to “instigators of social change” or “instigators of innovation.” This dual nature reflects our ambivalent relationship with those who disrupt established systemsโthey may be viewed as troublemakers or visionaries, often depending on whether one supports or opposes the changes they initiate.
In contemporary political discourse, the role of instigators has been amplified by social media and instant global communication, allowing individuals to mobilize movements with unprecedented speed and reach. From the Arab Spring to various social justice movements, modern instigators can leverage technology to challenge established power structures, much as Sukarno leveraged the post-war moment of opportunity.
๐๏ธ Legacy
The legacy of Indonesia’s instigators of independence extends far beyond the nation’s borders. As one of the first colonies to declare independence after World War II, Indonesia became an inspiration and model for other anti-colonial movements throughout Asia and Africa. Sukarno himself would go on to co-found the Non-Aligned Movement, positioning Indonesia as a leader among newly independent nations seeking a path independent of both Cold War power blocs.
Within Indonesia, the date of August 17 is celebrated annually as Independence Day, with the original proclamation read at ceremonies nationwide. Sukarno remains a venerated national figure, though historical assessments of his later presidency are more complex and contested.
๐ Comparative Analysis
While 18th and 19th-century perspectives often portrayed instigators of colonial independence movements as rebels or traitors, the post-World War II era saw a fundamental shift as principles of self-determination gained international recognition. Figures like Sukarno, once labeled as dangerous agitators by colonial powers, were increasingly viewed as legitimate national leaders on the world stage. This transformation reflects broader changes in international norms regarding colonialism, sovereignty, and the rights of peoples to determine their own political status.
๐ก Did You Know?
๐ Conclusion
The proclamation of Indonesian independence on August 17, 1945, illustrates the pivotal role that instigators play in seizing historical moments of opportunity to create profound change. Sukarno and his fellow revolutionaries recognized a unique window between Japanese surrender and Dutch return, using those crucial days to set in motion events that would ultimately lead to Indonesia’s sovereignty. This case reminds us that historical change often depends not just on broad social forces but on the decisive actions of individuals willing to instigate new beginnings at critical junctures.
๐ Further Reading
- ๐ “Sukarno: A Political Biography” by J.D. Legge
- ๐ “The Birth of Indonesia: Decolonization and the International Human Rights Regime” by Brad Simpson
- ๐ “Revolutionary Spirit: Jose Rizal in Southeast Asia” by John Nery (providing regional context for nationalist movements in Southeast Asia)
