The Dutch Colonial System, known as the “Cultivation System” or “Cultuurstelsel,” was a policy implemented in the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia) during the 19th century. This system had significant impacts on the local population and the economy of the region. The following article examines the facts surrounding this system, its consequences, and the eventual shift to a more liberal policy.
The Cultivation System
Initially, the Cultivation System was introduced in the Dutch East Indies in the 1830s as a means to maximize revenue from the colonies. The colonial government set aside more than one-fifth of the land specifically for the cultivation of cash crops, such as sugar, coffee, and indigo, which were in high demand in Europe. The best lands were often selected for this purpose, leaving less fertile areas for the local farmers’ subsistence crops.
Impact on Local Agriculture
The native farmers were required to devote a portion of their land and labor to these government-mandated crops. The surplus produce, beyond what was required for the government quota, had to be sold back to the government at prices that were often below market value. This practice contradicted the original principles of the system and placed a heavy burden on the local population.
Moreover, the cultivation of export crops was a new practice for the indigenous people and took more time than traditional rice farming. This shift in agricultural focus, combined with the forced labor—where natives sometimes worked over 200 days a year for the government—had a detrimental effect on rice production. The resulting decline in rice cultivation led to widespread famine in central Java between 1848 and 1850.
Excessive Taxation and Its Effects
Contrary to the principles of the Cultivation System, land rent was collected from the entire landholdings of the peasants, including the portion designated for the cultivation of export crops. This effectively resulted in double taxation, as the peasants had to pay rent for the land while also surrendering a part of their harvest to the government. In 1843, rice was added to the list of export crops, leading to the commercialization of rice cultivation. This policy change exacerbated the food shortages, causing further famines and prompting a mass exodus of people from affected areas.
Introduction of the Liberal Policy
The year 1848 was marked by a series of revolutionary movements across Europe, significantly influencing political ideologies and policies. These events led to the rise of the Liberal Party in Holland. In response to the growing discontent with the oppressive Cultivation System and inspired by the liberal movements, the Liberal Party gained power and initiated reforms in the Dutch East Indies.
In 1854, these reforms culminated in the enactment of the ‘Constitutional Regulation’ for Indonesia. This new constitution aimed to place the Dutch East Indies under parliamentary control, marking a significant shift from the exploitative practices of the past. The introduction of the Liberal Policy was intended to alleviate the burdens imposed by the Cultivation System and to provide a more equitable governance structure for the colony.
Questions for UPSC
1. How did the Cultivation System affect the traditional agricultural practices and food security in the Dutch East Indies?
2. What were the economic and social consequences of implementing the Cultivation System on the Javanese population?
3. In what ways did the European revolutionary movements of 1848 influence the colonial policies of the Dutch in the East Indies?