Arthur Wellesley vs Suharto

Wellesley commanded a British-Indian force against the Maratha Confederacy at Assaye. Despite being outnumbered, he achieved a decisive victory, capturing 98 guns and breaking Maratha power in the Deccan. This battle established his military reputation.

Wellesley commanded the Anglo-Spanish army at the Battle of Talavera. His forces repelled French attacks, but the victory was inconclusive as the French withdrew in good order. He was subsequently created Viscount Wellington.

Wellington defeated Marshal Marmont's French army at Salamanca in a decisive battle. The victory allowed the British to liberate Madrid and forced the French to abandon Andalusia. It was a turning point in the Peninsular War.

Wellington commanded the Anglo-Allied army at Waterloo, defeating Napoleon's French army. The battle ended the Napoleonic Wars and Napoleon's rule. Wellington's defensive tactics on the ridge and coordination with Prussian forces were decisive.

Wellington became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. His government passed the Catholic Relief Act 1829, granting Catholic emancipation, but he opposed parliamentary reform, leading to his resignation in 1830.

President Sukarno signed the Supersemar order, delegating authority to General Suharto to restore order after the 30 September Movement. Suharto used this to ban the Communist Party, purge leftists, and gradually assume executive power, effectively beginning his New Order regime.

Suharto implemented the New Order's economic policies, focusing on foreign investment, agricultural self-sufficiency, and industrialization. The government achieved high growth rates, reduced poverty, and stabilized the economy, but also fostered crony capitalism and corruption.

Suharto ordered the invasion of East Timor after Portugal withdrew. Indonesian forces occupied the territory, leading to a 24-year occupation marked by widespread human rights abuses, including massacres and forced displacement, resulting in an estimated 100,000-200,000 deaths.

The Asian Financial Crisis devastated Indonesia's economy, leading to massive unemployment and food shortages. Widespread protests and riots forced Suharto to resign in May 1998 after 31 years in power, ending his authoritarian rule and ushering in the Reformasi era.