KEBIJAKAN KEKUASAAN DAENDELS DI JAWA 1808-1811

Abstract

Abstrak: Artikel ini membahas mengenai kebijakan-kebijakan pemerintahan kekuasaan Herman Willem Daendels di Jawa antara tahun 1808-1811. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode historis yang meliputi heuristik, kritik sumber, interpretasi, dan historiografi. Hasil penelitian menunjukan Daendels datang ke Jawa dengan mengusung panji-panji revolusi Perancis. Ia diutus oleh Louis Napoleon, adik Napoleon Bonaparte yang pada masa bersamaan menduduki Belanda. Tugas utama Daendels ialah mempertahankan Jawa dari serangan Inggris. Meskipun kekuasaannya di Jawa relatif singkat hanya tiga tahun (1808-1811) namun kebijakan-kebijakannya sangat fenomenal dan mengesankan. Banyak kritik datang kepadanya karena dinilai sangat kejam dan militeristik namun ia tetap membangun berbagai kebijakan dengan revolusioner. Salah satu karya fenomenalnya ialah membangun jalan raya pos atau juga dikenal jalan Daendels. Karya lainnya seperti membangun benteng dan pertahanan militer, mereformasi birokrasi dan memberantas korupsi, serta mereformasi hukum dan peradilan.

Kata Kunci: Kebijakan, Kekuasaan, Daendels, Jawa

Abstract: This article discusses the policies of Herman Willem Daendels' government in Java between 1808-1811. This research uses historical methods including heuristics, source criticism, interpretation, and historiography. The results of the research show that Daendels came to Java carrying the banner of the French Revolution. He was sent by Louis Napoleon, Napoleon Bonaparte's younger brother who at the same time occupied the Netherlands. Daendels' main task was to defend Java from British attacks. Although his rule in Java was relatively short for only three years (1808 - 1811) his policies were phenomenal and impressive. Many criticisms came to him because he was considered very cruel and militaristic, but he still built various policies with revolutionaries. One of his phenomenal works is building a posted highway or also known as Daendels Street. Other works include building forts and military defenses, reforming the bureaucracy, and eradicating corruption, also reforming law and justice.

Keywords: Policy, Power, Daendels, Java