Dutch politician and general, born in Hattem, NC Netherlands. After joining the Patriots and taking part in the defence of Amsterdam against the Prussians, he fled to France and returned as a general with the French army under Pichegru. As an ardent unionist he served the Batavian Republic, but had to resign after being held responsible for military failings against the Anglo-Russian threat in North Holland. He was recalled by Louis Napoleon, and in 1807 made governor-general of the East-Indies, with orders to defend them against the English. His rule was oppressive but he suppressed many abuses, which made him enemies, and enriched himself. He is remembered for having the Grand Trunk Road built in Java. After his recall in 1810 he served in Napoleon's Russian campaign, and after the restoration was appointed governor of the Dutch Gold Coast by King William I.
Herman Willem Daendels (Hattem, October 21, 1762 - Ghana, May 2, 1818) was a Dutch politician who served as the 36th Governor General of the Dutch East Indies between 1808 - 1811.
Early life
Born in Hattem, Netherlands, on the 21st October 1762, he was the son of Burchard Johan Daendels, the mayoral secretary, and Josina Christina Tulleken.
Political Activity
In 1785 he sided with the Patriots, who had seized power in several Dutch cities.
He returned to the Netherlands in 1794, as a general in the French army of Charles Pichegru. Daendels helped Pieter Vreede to power in a coup d'état on 25 januray 1798. The reign of Vreede was even worse, so Daendels supported another coup d'état against Vreede on 14 june 1798.
Military career
Louis Bonaparte made him colonel-general in 1806 and Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies in 1807. After a long voyage, he arrived in the city of Batavia (now Jakarta) on the 5th January 1808 and relieved the former Governor General, Albertus Wiese. He built new hospitals and military barracks, a new arms factories in Surabaya and Semarang, and a new military college in Batavia.
He displayed a firm attitude towards the Javanese rulers, with the result that the rulers were willing to work with the English against the Dutch.
There is considerable debate as to whether he increased the efficiency of the local beauracracy and reduced corruption, although he certainly enriched himself during this period.
When the Kingdom of Holland was incorporated in France in 1810, Daendels returned to Holland. After the fall of Napoleon, he became Governor-General of the Dutch Possessions in Africa.
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