With reference to the period from 1940 to 1945, compare and contrast the activities of independence movements in the Dutch East Indies with those in Indochina (Vietnam).

Candidates are required to give an account of similarities and differences between the activities of independence movements in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) with those of Indochina (Vietnam) from 1940 to 1945 referring to both throughout. Comparisons may include reaction to the occupation by the Japanese. Both regions saw the Japanese invasion as an opportunity to build a new nationalist force: Ho Chi Minh founded the Viet Minh, and both Sukarno and Hatta cooperated with the Japanese. Another factor may be the resistance of the local population to the return of European colonists following the defeat of Japan. For contrasts, Vichy France supported the Japanese in Indochina whereas the Dutch government never supported Japanese rule in Indonesia. Some Indonesians (Sjarifuddin, the Acehnese Ulama) were loyal to the Dutch and did not collaborate with the Japanese whereas the Vietnamese did not collaborate with either the Japanese or Vichy France. Discussion of Indo-China may be limited to Vietnam or may also include Cambodia and/or Laos and either of these approaches is valid.