15 August 2024
Location: A certain High School in Jakarta, Insulindia.
Time: 1000
The teacher dimmed the lights, setting the mood for the class as the projector came to life. "Today, we'll revisit one of the most important moments in our nation's history: Queen Wilhelmina's 'Promise of Tomorrow' speech. Delivered during the early months of the World War, it shaped the future of Java and our entire archipelago."
The class, filled with young Insulindian students, sat attentively as the famous speech was projected:
—
"To the brave people of Java and all the lands of the East Indies, I stand before you today not as a ruler from a distant kingdom, but as a leader who has come to understand the weight of your sacrifices. For too long, mistakes were made in how we governed your lands, but no longer will these mistakes define our relationship. You are vital to the defense of this realm, and I offer you not only better treatment but the full rights of citizenship within the Kingdom of the Lowlands.
Together, we face an enemy who seeks to claim what is yours, your homes, your land, and your freedom. But know this: should we prevail, if the horrors of this war end, and you still desire to chart your own course as an independent nation, then I give you my word, we will honor that choice. But first, we must stand united, as equals, for the survival of us all.
The road ahead will not be easy. The enemy is relentless, and the forces arrayed against us are vast. But so too is the courage of our people. You have already shown resilience and strength beyond measure. Now, I ask you to lend that strength to the fight for a future in which all our people are free, equal, and secure.
Let us fight for tomorrow. Let us fight for a future where every man, woman, and child in these islands can stand tall, proud of their heritage, and secure in their freedom.
I pledge to you that the Kingdom of the Lowlands will treat you with the respect and dignity you deserve, and together, we will build a better tomorrow."
—
The teacher turned to the students as the projector faded. "What did this speech mean for the people of Java and the rest of Insulindia?"
One student raised her hand, her tone thoughtful. "It was the promise of citizenship, right? It showed the people that they were valued, not just as second class, but as equals."
"Exactly," the teacher said. "At first, many locals didn't believe it. To them, it seemed like an opportunistic speech, a ploy to secure their support against the Crimson Axis and the Sirens. But that skepticism began to fade when Batavia was bombarded to rubble by a combined Sakuran and Siren fleet."
The room was quiet as the teacher continued. "In the aftermath, hospitals were opened for wounded locals, those who lost their homes were relocated to makeshift free housing further inland, and aid flowed in for the civilians, funded directly from the royal family's coffers, despite their own financial strain from the war. These weren't just empty gestures, the Queen ensured that the people of Java and Insulindia received the same treatment as those in the Lowlands."
Another student spoke up. "But after the war, we voted for independence. Why do people say the speech was still important?"
The teacher smiled. "Good question. While the referendum passed with a narrow 52% in favor of independence, many saw the Queen's actions as genuine. The other 48% wanted to remain part of the Lowlands because the Queen had kept her promises. Even during the war, the local populations started to gain real representation, and the transition from colonial subjects to citizens wasn't just a legal change, it was felt in everyday life. New schools, better infrastructure, and healthcare were all extended to the locals."
The classroom buzzed with quiet chatter as the students reflected on the history. One of them raised their hand. "So, would we have won the war without the speech?"
"The speech alone didn't win the war," the teacher replied, "but it gave people a reason to fight, a reason to believe that the Kingdom was worth defending. When the bombardment hit, the Kingdom's immediate response turned skeptics into allies. Java was critical in holding off the Crimson Axis, and that unity made all the difference."
The teacher looked around the room, taking in the students' thoughtful expressions. "For homework, I want each of you to write a reflection. Think about how this speech helped shape our future and how promises, when fulfilled, can change the course of history. Class dismissed."
__________________________________