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Modern Indonesian History Trivia Quiz

Major events and important people in Indonesia's recent history, with a focus on political history.

A multiple-choice quiz by buguru. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
buguru

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
78,949

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
10 / 15

Plays
1341

Last 3 plays: Guest 182 (9/15), Guest 36 (1/15), Guest 36 (13/15).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. What was Indonesia called in the first half of the twentieth century? Hint

Portuguese East Indies

German East Indies

British East Indies

Dutch East Indies

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Question 2 of 15

2. Which nation invaded Indonesia in 1942? Hint

Malaya

Thailand

Papua New Guinea

Japan

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Question 3 of 15

3. On what date was Indonesian independence proclaimed? Hint

30 September 1956

23 June 1946

17 August 1945

9 July 1958

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Question 4 of 15

4. For approximately how long did Indonesians have to fight (physically and diplomatically) for their independence from the colonial power? Hint

Seven months

Four years

One year

20 months

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Question 5 of 15

5. Who was Indonesia's first president? Hint

Soeharto

Soekarno

Sutan Sjahrir

Mohammed Hatta

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Question 6 of 15

6. Which political party received an outright majority in the 1955 elections? Hint

Socialist Party

Communist Party

None

Nationalist Party

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Question 7 of 15

7. Whom did the 'Thirtieth of September Movement' kill? Hint

The President

Leaders of four political parties

The American Ambassador

Six Generals

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Question 8 of 15

8. In the pogroms of 1965 and 1966, approximately how many people were killed? Hint

150,000 to 180,000

15,000 to 25,000

250,000 to 1,000,000

75,000 to 120,000

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Question 9 of 15

9. As the first president's power waned, which person assumed the presidency? Hint

General Nasution

The first president's son

Colonel Simbolon

General Soeharto

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Question 10 of 15

10. Which territory did Indonesian troops go into on the 7th December 1975? Hint

Papua New Guinea

Christmas Island

Malaysia

East Timor

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Question 11 of 15

11. In 1998, who became Indonesia's third president? Hint

Abdurrahman Wahid

Akbar Tanjung

Megawati Soekarnoputri

BJ Habibie

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Question 12 of 15

12. How long did the third president stay in office? Hint

36 hours

Four years

About 17 months

Twelve days

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Question 13 of 15

13. During the New Order regime, there were only three political parties allowed. How many political parties participated in the 1999 general election? Hint

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Question 14 of 15

14. Which Muslim cleric became Indonesia's fourth president? Hint

Abdurrahman Wahid

Zainuddin MZ

Hamzah Haz

Akbar Tanjung

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Question 15 of 15

15. What is interesting about Indonesia's fifth president? Hint

Her gender

All of these

Her father was president

Her party was once torn in half

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was Indonesia called in the first half of the twentieth century?

Answer: Dutch East Indies

The Dutch controlled much of what is now Indonesia by the end of the 19th century.

2. Which nation invaded Indonesia in 1942?

Answer: Japan

It was part of Japanese expansionism during World War II.

3. On what date was Indonesian independence proclaimed?

Answer: 17 August 1945

Sukarno was basically forced to proclaim independence by some of the young freedom fighters.

4. For approximately how long did Indonesians have to fight (physically and diplomatically) for their independence from the colonial power?

Answer: Four years

After declaring independence, the Indonesians had to fight from 1945 until 1949.

5. Who was Indonesia's first president?

Answer: Soekarno

Soekarno was a great orator who inspired his people, but during his leadership Indonesia struggled to gain ground economically.

6. Which political party received an outright majority in the 1955 elections?

Answer: None

Four parties received roughly 20 percent of the vote each.

7. Whom did the 'Thirtieth of September Movement' kill?

Answer: Six Generals

It was actually early in the morning of the first of October (1965) that the kidnappings and murders took place. A seventh general, Nasution, escaped because his aide impersonated him.

8. In the pogroms of 1965 and 1966, approximately how many people were killed?

Answer: 250,000 to 1,000,000

The pogroms were aimed at wiping out Communists. Estimates of the number of people killed vary greatly, but many estimates are near the 500,000 mark.

9. As the first president's power waned, which person assumed the presidency?

Answer: General Soeharto

General Soeharto's rule lasted approximately 32 years.

10. Which territory did Indonesian troops go into on the 7th December 1975?

Answer: East Timor

Indonesia controlled East Timor for about 24 years.

11. In 1998, who became Indonesia's third president?

Answer: BJ Habibie

Habibie was vice president when Soeharto resigned. According to Indonesia's constitution, he was the person to take over running the country.

12. How long did the third president stay in office?

Answer: About 17 months

When Habibie first came to power, he said that there would be elections within 6 months. However, it wasn't until 17 months later that the elections were held, and Habibie was booted out.

13. During the New Order regime, there were only three political parties allowed. How many political parties participated in the 1999 general election?

Answer: 48

More than one hundred parties applied for registration, but less than half of them were accepted. Nevertheless, 48 parties is a great leap from three.

14. Which Muslim cleric became Indonesia's fourth president?

Answer: Abdurrahman Wahid

Gus Dur (Abdurrahman Wahid's nickname) came to power with the aid of the Poros Tengah (Middle Axis) - a conglomeration of parties that fell apart not long after he gained office. Hamzah Haz was head of the Development Unity Party, Akbar Tanjung was head of Golkar, and Zainuddin MZ is a Muslim preacher.

15. What is interesting about Indonesia's fifth president?

Answer: All of these

Megawati Soekarnoputri, daughter of Indonesia's first president, Indonesia's first female president, was the head of the Indonesian Democratic Party when it was split in half in 1996. Mega means cloud. Wati is an ending for a girl's name. Soekarnoputri means daughter of Soekarno.

Source: Author buguru

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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