ABSTRACT
Internal Indonesian armed strife during the decolonization war between the Indonesian Republic and the Dutch (1945–49) is a relatively neglected subject. This contribution focuses on this armed opposition. In a comparative approach, it endeavours to bring some system in the highly divergent movements that tried to change the political course of the Republic, or even intended to topple the Republic. These range from regional movements of leftist character during the early revolution in Banten, Jakarta’s environs, North Java, West and East Sumatra, to Islamist inspired movements in Aceh and West Java (Darul Islam). The culmination of internal violence was the communist revolt centred on Madiun in 1948, which by all means and purposes constituted a civil war, though that term was avoided by contemporaries. The main characteristics of all the various movements are discussed. Furthermore, an effort is made to assess the measure of violence and the number of victims. One of the results is a re-evaluation of the rather indiscriminately used terms Bersiap and revolusi sosial.
