Soekarno, 1901-1970

Soekarno (b. Kusno Sosrodihardjo, June 6, 1901, Surabaya, East Java-d. June 21, 1970, Jakarta, Indonesia) was the first President of Indonesia. He was the leader of his country's struggle for Independence from the Netherlands and a prominent leader of Indonesia's nationalist movement during the Dutch colonial period. Soekarno and his fellow nationalists collaborated to garner support for the Japanese war effort from the population, in exchange for Japanese aid in spreading nationalist ideas. Upon Japanese surrender, Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta declared Indonesian independence on August 17, 1945, and Soekarno was appointed as first president.

Soekarno met Tjokroaminoto, a nationalist and founder of Sarekat Islam in 1916 while at school and Tjokroaminoto introduced Soekarno to nationalist ideas. In July 1927 Soekarno with his friends established a pro-independence party, Partai Nasional Indonesia (PNI), of which Soekarno was elected the first leader. In December 1930, Soekarno was sentenced to four years in prison. During World War II, Soekarno supported the Japanese and was made head of Tiga-A mass organization movement.

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