Official Uniform of Hendrikus Colijn, PM of the Netherlands
By C. Meuven & Zoon, 1925–26
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Hendrikus Colijn's tenure as Prime Minister of the Netherlands was marked by controversial events, including the military actions known as the 'Colonial Pacification Campaigns' in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). These campaigns, which occurred during the late 1940s, aimed to suppress Indonesian independence movements. Criticism has been directed at Colijn and his government for their handling of these campaigns, which resulted in significant casualties among both Indonesian civilians and combatants. The violence and killings during this period remain a contentious aspect of Colijn's legacy, with ongoing discussions about the ethical and moral implications of the Dutch colonial policies under his leadership.