LIBERATION IS PERHAPS not the right word to describe the end of the war in colonial societies. Most Asians were more than happy to be rid of the Japanese, whose "Asian liberation" had turned out to be worse than the Western imperialism it temporarily replaced. But liberation is not quite what the Dutch had in mind for the Dutch East Indies in 1945, or the French for Indochina, or the British for Malaya.
The term "liberation" is often misleading when discussing the end of colonial rule in Asia after World War II. Many locals felt relief at the departure of Japanese forces, whose supposed Asian liberation quickly proved more oppressive than the Western colonialism it supplanted. This complex sentiment highlights the nuanced realities of post-war transitions in these regions.
In 1945, the Dutch, French, and British had specific visions for their colonies that did not align with the idea of liberation. The Dutch aimed to regain control over the East Indies, while the French sought to retain dominance in Indochina, and the British had intentions for Malaya. The struggle for independence in these areas was far more complicated than mere liberation, complicating the narrative of decolonization.
