Chapter 1 : Introduction

 

Outline

The history of Taiwan can be divided into six periods: prehistory[1], early colonization, the Jheng era, the Ching era, the Japanese colonization, and the Republic of China era, also called the ROC era.

There are four striking characteristics of Taiwan history: from very early in its history, Taiwan has had a multicultural society, close relationships with foreign countries, flourishing international trade, and an enterprising people.

 

Periods of Taiwan History

        As early as 50,000 years ago, during the late Paleolithic Age, there were already people living on Taiwan’s east coast, in what is now Changbin Township, Taitung County. Taiwan also had Neolithic Age and Iron Age inhabitants. Some of these inhabitants are very likely the ancestors of the indigenous people of Taiwan.

In the second half of the fourteenth century, Japanese pirates and Han Chinese smugglers started coming to the coastal areas of Taiwan and to Penghu, which is also called the Pescadores. Taiwan then entered its period of international competition in the early seventeenth century, when the Han Chinese, the Japanese, the Dutch and the Spanish fought for control of Taiwan. A few decades later, Ming dynasty general Jheng Chenggong (also known as Koxinga) lost his war against the Manchu Ching dynasty. He retreated from the Chinese mainland to Taiwan in 1661, and drove the Dutch out the following year. Thus began the Jheng era: for the first time in history, Taiwan was under Han Chinese governance.

In 1683, the Ching government sent Admiral Shih Lang to attack the Jheng regime. Jheng Chenggong’s grandson Jheng Keshuang surrendered, ending the Jheng era and beginning the Ching era of Taiwan history. The Ching era can be divided into the early Ching and the late Ching. The early Ching ends and the late Ching begins in the mid-nineteenth century.

In 1894, the Ching government went to war with Japan over Choson, which is modern-day Korea. The Ching’s military was defeated, and Taiwan was ceded to Japan the next year. The next fifty-one years is the period of Japanese colonization, when Taiwan was under Japanese control. In June, 1945, Japan surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, marking the end of the Second World War. Taiwan has been ruled by the Republic of China (ROC) ever since.

 

Characteristics of Taiwan History

        First, Taiwan is multicultural. Throughout its history, Taiwan has been home to different cultures.

        Second, Taiwan is international. It has developed close relationships with its neighbors. This was the case in prehistoric times as well as from the seventeenth century to the present day.

Third, Taiwan is trade-oriented economically. Being an island with limited resources, Taiwan has long been an international trading post. Flourishing trade has driven economic development.

        Last, the Taiwanese are a courageous and enterprising people. Starting in the seventeenth century, the Han Chinese have been crossing the Taiwan Strait to Taiwan, enduring all kinds of hardship, and working with the indigenous people to build a new heaven and earth.

        These four characteristics are part of the heritage of the people of Taiwan, and they still accurately describe Taiwan today. We should be mindful of this heritage and let it guide us as we move forward with resourcefulness and pride.