Indonesia won its independence from the Dutch, not the English, the French, or the Portuguese. The Dutch were one of the major colonial powers in Southeast Asia and had colonized Indonesia for over three centuries. The Dutch East India Company, a trading company, established control over parts of Indonesia in the 17th century and gradually expanded their colonization efforts. However, during the 20th century, nationalistic movements began to gain momentum in Indonesia, leading to a struggle for independence. After World War II, the Indonesian independence movement intensified, and on August 17, 1945, Indonesia declared its independence. This declaration eventually led to negotiations and a sometimes-violent struggle with the Dutch, which culminated in the recognition of Indonesian independence in 1949. Thus, it was the Dutch from whom Indonesia won its independence, marking the end of Dutch colonial rule in the region.