The former Dutch colonies: from WWWII to independence
War and exploitation - activism and the struggle for independence.
The exhibition The Former Dutch Colonies: From WW II to Independence offers a multifaceted view of the events and communities during World War II in the former colonies: Indonesia, Suriname, and the six Dutch Caribbean islands.
Through more than thirty personal stories, the exhibition highlights the changes brought about by World War II and how these contributed to the push for independence. Thanks to historical research carried out in recent years, the exhibition is presented from the perspectives of Indonesians, Surinamese, and inhabitants of the Caribbean islands. Visitors discover how Indonesia suffered under Japanese occupation and resisted both Japan and the Netherlands. You also learn how Suriname and the Caribbean islands were crucial to the Allied war industry.
The exhibition concludes with the aftermath of the war, featuring stories of decolonisation and the enduring impact of the colonial past to this day.