When you think of an authoritarian leader, you might imagine someone who is charismatic and commands attention. However, Suharto, the focus of our story, was quite different. Known as the “smiling general,” he was more of a background figure who rose to power in Indonesia through cunning and strategic moves. Despite his seemingly gentle demeanor, Suharto was a manipulative ruler who could act swiftly and violently when needed.
Suharto was born on June 8, 1921, in a small village near Yogyakarta on the island of Java, which was then part of the Dutch East Indies. Coming from a humble background, he faced financial challenges during his early education. After high school, he worked as a bank clerk but left the job due to a torn suit. Seeking better opportunities, he joined the Dutch colonial forces. However, when the Japanese invaded in 1942, he switched sides to join a Japanese-sponsored militia.
After World War II, Suharto joined the newly formed Indonesian army, which was fighting for independence from the Dutch. The army was led by generals Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, who balanced support from nationalist, communist, and Islamic factions. This balance would shape Indonesian politics for years.
As the struggle for independence continued, Suharto quickly climbed the military ranks, becoming a lieutenant colonel by age 24. Despite setbacks, such as the Dutch capturing Yogyakarta without resistance, he proved himself in various military roles. By 1963, he commanded the army’s strategic command, setting the stage for his rise to power.
In 1959, President Sukarno introduced “guided democracy,” giving him significant control over parliament. However, poor economic policies led to unrest and the growing influence of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), which had millions of members by 1965. This worried military leaders, who feared a communist takeover.
In October 1965, the 30th of September Movement kidnapped and executed several top generals, sparking a violent backlash against the PKI. Suharto seized this opportunity to take control of the army and launched a brutal purge against the PKI and its supporters. This resulted in mass killings and human rights abuses, with death toll estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions.
Suharto’s power was solidified when he became acting president in 1967 and officially president in 1968. His regime, known as the “New Order,” was marked by authoritarian rule and economic growth fueled by foreign investment. However, this growth often benefited the military and urban elites more than the general population.
Despite initial successes, Suharto’s regime faced challenges by the late 1970s and 1980s due to rampant corruption and nepotism. In 1997, Indonesia was hit by a severe economic crisis, leading to widespread protests and riots. On May 21, 1998, Suharto resigned, leaving behind a legacy of violence and corruption.
After his resignation, Suharto faced numerous allegations of embezzlement and human rights abuses but never stood trial. He passed away on January 27, 2008, leaving a complex legacy in Indonesian history.
Research Suharto’s early life and military beginnings. Create a presentation that highlights key events and influences that shaped his path to power. Focus on how his humble beginnings and early career choices contributed to his leadership style. Present your findings to the class, emphasizing the connection between his early experiences and his later political strategies.
Participate in a class debate on the topic: “Was Suharto’s New Order beneficial for Indonesia?” Divide into two groups, with one arguing in favor of the economic growth and stability brought by Suharto’s regime, and the other highlighting the human rights abuses and corruption. Use evidence from the article and additional research to support your arguments.
Create a detailed timeline of the key events that led to Suharto’s rise to power, starting from his military beginnings to his establishment of the New Order regime. Include significant political and social events, and illustrate how these events contributed to his consolidation of power. Share your timeline with the class and discuss the turning points in his career.
Engage in a role-playing activity where you assume the roles of various political figures and factions involved in the 1965 political turmoil in Indonesia. Explore the motivations and actions of each group, including the military, the Indonesian Communist Party, and President Sukarno. This activity will help you understand the complexity of the political landscape during Suharto’s rise.
Write an essay analyzing the legacy of Suharto in Indonesian history. Discuss both the positive and negative aspects of his rule, including economic development and human rights issues. Reflect on how his leadership has shaped modern Indonesia and consider the long-term impacts of his policies. Share your essay with the class for peer review and discussion.
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If you think of an authoritarian leader, you might picture a decisive, charismatic, and ruthless figure—someone who commands attention and cultivates a strong personality cult. However, today’s subject does not fit that mold at all. He was more of a background character for much of his life, and even when he rose to power, he did not project a menacing aura. In fact, he wished to be remembered as the “smiling general.” But don’t let that unassuming smile fool you; Mr. Suharto was a cunning and manipulative ruler capable of swift and violent action when necessary.
This is the story of how Suharto rose to power in Indonesia during one of the worst massacres of the 20th century and how he maintained power while exploiting the country.
Suharto was born on June 8, 1921, in a small village near Yogyakarta, on the island of Java, which was then part of the Dutch East Indies. His family was not wealthy, and he faced financial difficulties in his early education. After graduating high school, he worked as a bank clerk but had to leave that job due to a torn suit. Seeking to improve his social standing, he joined the Dutch colonial forces, but when the Japanese invaded in 1942, he switched allegiances to a Japanese-sponsored militia.
After the Japanese surrendered in 1945, Suharto joined the newly formed Indonesian army, fighting for independence against the returning Dutch forces. This new army was led by generals Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, who relied on nationalist, communist, and Islamic factions for support. The balance between these forces would shape Indonesian politics for years to come.
As the fight for independence continued, Suharto quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a lieutenant colonel by the age of 24. He faced setbacks, such as the Dutch capturing Yogyakarta without resistance, but he continued to prove himself in various military roles. By 1963, he was in command of the army’s strategic command, a prestigious position that set the stage for his future rise to power.
In 1959, President Sukarno implemented a system called “guided democracy,” which allowed him to exert significant influence over parliament. However, poor economic policies led to social unrest and the growing popularity of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). By 1965, the PKI claimed millions of members, raising concerns among military leaders about a potential communist takeover.
In October 1965, a group called the 30th of September Movement kidnapped and executed several high-ranking generals, leading to a violent backlash against the PKI. Suharto seized the opportunity to take control of the army and initiated a violent purge against the PKI and its supporters. This purge resulted in mass killings and widespread human rights abuses, with estimates of the death toll ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions.
Suharto’s rise to power was solidified when he was appointed acting president in 1967 and officially became president in 1968. His regime, known as the “New Order,” was characterized by authoritarian rule, economic growth driven by foreign investment, and a focus on stability. However, this growth often benefited the military and urban elites more than the general population.
Despite initial successes, cracks began to show in Suharto’s regime by the late 1970s and 1980s, as corruption and nepotism became rampant. In 1997, Indonesia faced a severe economic crisis, leading to widespread protests and riots. On May 21, 1998, Suharto resigned, leaving behind a legacy of violence and corruption.
After his resignation, Suharto faced numerous allegations of embezzlement and human rights abuses, but he never faced trial. He passed away on January 27, 2008, leaving a complicated legacy in Indonesian history.
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Suharto – Suharto was an Indonesian military leader and politician who served as the second President of Indonesia, holding office from 1967 to 1998. – Suharto’s long tenure as president was marked by significant economic growth but also by widespread corruption and human rights abuses.
Indonesia – Indonesia is a Southeast Asian nation made up of thousands of volcanic islands and is home to hundreds of ethnic groups speaking many different languages. – Indonesia’s strategic location and diverse culture have played significant roles in its historical development and political dynamics.
Power – In a historical context, power refers to the ability or capacity to influence or control the behavior of people and the course of events. – The struggle for power among European nations was a driving force behind the colonization of Africa and Asia in the 19th century.
Military – The military is an organized force authorized by a sovereign state to use lethal force to support the interests of the state and its citizens. – The military coup in Chile in 1973 led to the overthrow of President Salvador Allende and the establishment of a military dictatorship under Augusto Pinochet.
Regime – A regime is a government, especially an authoritarian one, that is in power. – The fall of the Soviet regime in 1991 marked the end of the Cold War and led to significant political changes in Eastern Europe.
Democracy – Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives. – The transition to democracy in South Africa in 1994 was a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, ending decades of apartheid.
Corruption – Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, often involving bribery or the manipulation of policies and systems. – The Watergate scandal in the United States is a notable example of political corruption that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
Protests – Protests are organized public demonstrations expressing strong objection to policies or situations, often aiming to bring about change. – The protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989 were a significant moment in Chinese history, highlighting demands for political reform.
Legacy – Legacy refers to something handed down by a predecessor, often reflecting the lasting impact of historical events or figures. – The legacy of colonialism continues to affect the political and economic landscapes of many African countries today.
Politics – Politics is the set of activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power. – The politics of the Cold War era were dominated by the ideological conflict between capitalism and communism.
