Political Status of Taiwan
Timeline created by lizrak
Dutch rule over Taiwan
Dutch drove the Spanish out from the North of Taiwan. Between 1624-1662 during the age of discovery and the prominence of the Dutch East India Company, the Dutch traded with mainland China's Ming Empire and also with Japan. The Dutch saw economic potential in Taiwan, or Formosa, for its large scale population of deer and surplus of rice and sugar. The rise of the Qing dynasty forced the Dutch to cut ties with the Ming dynasty for economic reasons and access to trade and shipping routes.
In 1662, during the Siege of Zeelandia, the Koxinga and the Ming Dynasty drove the Dutch out and away from the Island of Taiwan. The Koxinga was apart of the loyalist movement to restore the Ming Dynasty in China after it was overthrown by the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty hoped to use the island of Taiwan as a base to recapture mainland China from the Qing Dynasty.
Qing Dynasty
Qing dynasty defeated the Ming Dynasty and annexed Taiwan in 1683. The Qing Dynasty sent an army led by Shi Lang to seize control of the island. The Island was then governed by Taiwan prefectures of the Fokien province which resulted in the declaration of the Fokien-Taiwan province in 1887.
The first Sino-Japanese War resulted in the mainland China ceded the Island of Taiwan as well as the Island of Penghu to the Empire of Japan. The Taiwanese provided valuable exports and served as a military base for Japan. The Japanese implemented their own education and had Taiwanese fight for them during World War II between 1939-1945.
Republic of China gained contol
At the end of World War II, the nationalist government of the Republic of China, led by Kuomingtang, took control of Taiwan. Japan renounces its claims to Taiwan and an international dispute begins regarding the legality behind if Mainland China has jurisdiction or if said jurisdiction was given up forever according to the Treaty of Shimonoseki.
228 Massacre
The February 28th massacre was an anti-government uprising in Taiwan that was violently suppressed by the KMT led ROC government. This incident resulted in between 5,000-28,000 civilian casualties and began the period of white terror.
The Retreat to Taiwan
Martial law was declared in 1949 by the governor of Taiwan province and the ROC ministry of national defense. This martial law lasted for 38 years. After losing control of mainland China in the Chinese Civil War, the Republic of China's government decided to withdraw to Taiwan. The communists of mainland China proclaimed themselves as the Peoples Republic of China.
The economic miracle
After WWII, Taiwan experienced rapid economic growth under the Republic of China. Taiwan then became known as one of the "Four Asian Tigers", including Hongkong, Singapore, and South Korea, who all experienced a surprising boom in industrialization. During 1945-1965, a new stable currency was created, financial aid was provided, lands reforms, and aid from USAID, all helped boost the Taiwan's industrialization. This resulted in a 360% increase in GDP between 1965-1986
PRC replaces ROC within the international community
The ROC and PRC continued to each claim that they are each and separately legiitimate government of China. In 1971, the United Nations replaced the ROC with the PRC. KMT ruled Taiwan for 40 years until the democratic reforms began in the 1980s. In 1987 martial law was lifted and Taiwan began to democratise.
Taiwan's New Age of Democracy
Direct presidential elections begin in 1996. In 2002, the democratic progressive party begins campaigning towards Taiwanese independence and as an accepted identity. From 1996-2019, Taiwan battles against the PRC and continues to negotiate for independence, official sovereignty, and international acceptance as well as recognition.
Period: 1642 to 2019
Important Historical Events that have led to the evnetual political status of Taiwan today, in modern times.