History of the island of Taiwan

The Histoire of the island of Taiwan goes back to the Préhistoire, around 30.000 years front J. - C. (man of Zuozhen). There is approximately: 18000 years, the cast iron of the ices separates this small assembly line from the continent and makes of it the island of Taiwan. Various groups proto- Austronésiens, ancestors of current the Indigenous, settle there starting from 6000 av. J. - C. files of the old China indicate that the Han S would have been informed of the existence of Taiwan since the time of the Three Kingdoms of China (3rd century); however, this assumption is difficult to validate because the names given to the islands off China differ from one dynasty to another, and none is directly connectable in Taiwan.

Noticed by the sailors Portuguese who give him the name of Formosa ( formosa , “beautiful”) under which it will be known in Occident until the 20th century, Taiwan is really confronted with the outside world at the 17th century, when the Dutch colonizes part of the island, christianizes part of the population aboriginals and creates a writing for the Siraya (language aboriginal which was spoken in the area about Tainan). They will be to drive out by Koxinga a hostile loyal supporter Ming with the Dynastie Qing, Koxinga. In 1683, the Manchus (dynasty Qing) take the control of the island while putting fine at the reign of Zheng. After the defeat of China vis-a-vis Japan in 1895 Taiwan is yielded to the Japan (Traité of Shimonoseki). This Colonisation is accompanied by a certain segregation, but also by an japonisation-assimilation of the population, and a Industrialization of the island. At the time of the defeat of 1945, Japan gives Taiwan to the UNO, which entrusts stabilization of it to the République of China. In 1949-1950, the nationalist S driven out of the continent are established there with two million Chinese, in majority of the troops, with the ambition to take again the continent with the communist . They impose a mode of sole party (Kuomintang) and the state of emergency, and continue the industrialization of the island. The democratization starts in the Années 1970 and progresses while the country joined soon the group of the Pays developed S. In the Années 1990, democratization reaches a advanced state and the political debate polarizes around the question of the Indépendance.

Prehistory

More the hurdy-gurdy traces human on the island goes back to: 30000 years (the man of Zuozhen, 左鎮), some saying: 50000 years But the first inhabitants are not connected Génétique lies to the current inhabitants of the island. One finds many site archaeological in Taiwan. The oldest culture on the island is the culture of Changbin. This culture is a culture of the Stone Age and goes back to more: 15000 years and until there would have perduré is: 5000 years.

Other culture one also to exist like the culture of Dabenken (Your-Peng-Keng: 大坌坑) which is a culture of the Neolithic and which one finds traces in north, in the south of the island, like the islands Penghu (islands Pescadores). Also called “culture of the twisted pottery” because the found potteries carry twisted reasons. In the basin of Taipei one finds the remainders of the culture Yuanshan (圓山), of -5.000 at the beginning of the Christian era. On the Squelette S found one notes that people of this culture practiced the dental extraction, this habit was still practiced by certain current indigenous groups at the beginning of the 20th century. At the end of the Neolithic era two cultures coexists in the east of Taiwan, the Beinan culture and the Qilin culture. These two cultures are characterized by the use of stone slab. The culture of Beinan using these flagstones to make coffins and the Qilin culture of it as a Mégalithe S. the habit of the dental extraction was also practiced within this population.

The cultures of the island of Taiwan enter only tardily to the age of iron. Several traces of various cultures of this time are found. Like the culture Shisanhang (十三行) in the North of the island, one found many iron tools there. At the same time one also finds other cultures of the iron age, the culture of Fanziyuan in the center of the island close to the coast, the Niaosong culture in the South or the Jingpu culture on the east coast.

However it is difficult to draw up direct links between these cultures and the indigenous groups current

Austronésiens

Dutch and Spanish colonization

Contacts with Europeans took place at the 16th century when a vessel Portuguese located the island and Ilha Formosa called it, that is to say “beautiful island” in Portuguese. The Portuguese did not make any attempt for the to colonize. Only the Japan was interested in Taiwan end 16th beginning 17th. Hideyoshi Toyotomi firstly in the 1593 then Shogunat Tokugawa tested by twice carrying out forwardings towards Taiwan in 1609 and 1616, these forwardings were failures due to the resistance of the aboriginals. The Dutchmen seeking to establish a station to advance to trade with China and Japan and thus to put an end to the monopoly which the Portuguese and Spaniards maintained, established a base in the Penghu islands in 1622. To force by the troops Chinese, they had to be withdrawn and leave to settle in Taiwan (Tayouan) in 1624. The Dutchmen will build two forts one with Anping (Fort Zeelandia) and the other in Tainan (Fort Provintia). The Dutchmen of the Company of the Indies (VOC) colonized the island until 1662, they will be driven out by it by Koxinga.

The Dutchmen wanted at the beginning to use their establishment in Taiwan as a simple base for the trade between China and Japan. Thereafter in order to preserve possible attacks coming from the aboriginals or other rival colonial powers, like making their colony autonomous and nondependant on external resources. The Dutchmen decided to sit their domination by average soldiers but also by developing the agricultural and commercial potential of the island. They imposed many taxation as of the trade of buckskin which was very profitable. They encouraged the peasants of the Chinese province of Fujian to migrate to Taiwan in order to cultivate the grounds which they slightly considered to exploit by the populations aboriginals. To extend their influence they évangélisèrent aboriginals, and translations in language Siraya of religious texts in form romanized were carried out at ends of evangelization. Schools were built and the use of this writing was taught with the aboriginals. Although it was not standardized in its Orthographe, the use of this writing will still remain of use until the 19th century, but few documents exist currently written in this language. In 1636 the Dutchmen this launched in military forwardings “to pacify” the various indigenous villages and thus to reinforce their position and to impose their domination to the Aboriginals.

To worry by the installation of the Dutchmen in Taiwan and the threat that represented for their trade with China and Japan, the Spaniards also decided to settle in Taiwan but in the North of the island. They unload close to Keelung in 1626 with their heads Antonio Carrendo de Vales. They will also build two forts, one in Keelung and the other in Tamsui. They will never arrive at really extending their influence in the island and will be finally expelled of the island by the Dutchmen in 1642.

Dutch colonization will have some impacts on the populations aboriginals which were with their contact, especially in the Western South and in particular on Siraya. The Spaniards as for them, due to their short presence on the island and their incapacity to be able to extend their influence will not have any influence on the life of the Aboriginals. To arrive of Koxinga will have much more impacts on the life of the populations aboriginals.

Koxinga and the kingdom of Tungning

In April 1661 a fleet to carry out by Koxinga, a loyal supporter Ming unloads on the island of Taiwan to expel the Dutchmen and to make a base of it in order to set out again with the conquest of China and drive out the Manchus of them. After 9 months of seat the 10 févier 1662, the Dutchmen this return and leave Taiwan. Koxinga dies 4 months after June 23rd, 1662, and are wire succeeds to him. The reign of Zheng on Taiwan stops in 1683 when the small son of Koxinga, Zheng Keshuang goes to the Manchus.

The government established by Zheng was extremely severe and very to militarize and of heavy taxes were raised, the hand put on the Chinese population was total and did not revolt, only the aboriginals this revolted with some recoveries.

During the reign of Zheng the migration of Chinese population continued in spite of the prohibition made by the Manchus sail. One considers the population Chinese at the time of Zheng at 100.000 Chinese. Zheng encouraged with the land utilization. The international business was also promoted in order to have consequent incomes.

Taiwan under the Qing dynasty

In 1683, the Dynastie Qing annexed officially Taiwan. After the defeat of the grandson of Zheng vis-a-vis the fleet of the Admiral Shi Lang, all the inhabitants remained faithful to Zheng were exiled in the most moved back areas of the Qing empire, leaving approximately: 7000 Hans on Taiwan. The Qing government adapted its Taiwanese policy in order to reduce piracy and vagrancy in the area, leading it to a series of edicts on the immigration and the respect of the land rights of the aboriginals. Clandestine immigrants continued to enter to Taiwan in order to exploit the grounds of the aboriginals under contracts which generally were based on a marriage, whereas the border between the grounds under fiscal control and the grounds “wild” moved back towards the East.

The Japanese colonial law

After its defeat at the time of the first Sino-Japanese war (1894 - 1895) in 1895, the China was forced to yield Taiwan to the Japan with perpetuity (treated of Shimonoseki), by leaving one carencia for the subjects han enabling them to sell their goods and to turn over on the continent.

May 25th 1895, the Republic of Taiwan, installing its capital with Tainan, was created with an aim of resisting the Japanese law. This resistance was subdued on October 21st 1895, when the Japanese forces entered in Tainan. For the colonial period, the Japanese used the model French of occupying forces, and contributed significantly to the Industrialization of the island: they reflect in place, inter alia, a network of railways, a system of cleansing and a system of public education. Around 1935, the Japanese began a policy of assimilation on all the island to harden the bond between the island and the Empire of Japan.

Following the end of the Second world war in 1945, according to the terms of the “Japanese instrument of rendering”, the Japan accepted a priori the declaration of Potsdam which referred the declaration of Cairo according to which the island was to be transferred to the République from China. The method of this transfer are not very clear, of the sources pose that Taiwan was to become an independent State. The Chinese army simply having to ensure the phase of transition from post-war period. (Cf History of Taiwan , Lee Hsiao Feng). The troops of the Republic of China were authorized to come on the island to accept the rendering of the Japanese military forces at the time of the General order n° 1 emitted by the general Douglas MacArthur the September 2nd 1945, then were transported to Chilung by the American marine .

Archipelago of Taiwan under the Republic of China

See also: History of the Republic of Chine#La Republic of China to Taiwan

China settles in Taiwan, but it is quickly a retirement which is organized. Vis-a-vis certain agitations in the island, and considering the context on the continent, the army of the Republic of China contracts, represses the movement of the February 28th 1947, and the Guomindang establishes a seizure total on the political life and administrative of the island. The state of emergency is proclaimed.

This insulation and this delicate situation of small island anticommunist allow finally the surge of the military aid and economic American and support the industrialo-economic miracle of the island. Chinese voices start to posément require posément more Démocratie, a fight against the Corruption and the Multipartisme. But the Censure prevails, the leaders are arrested and imprisoned.

The Years 1960, the appeasing of the situation and veillissement of Tchang Kaï-chek makes it possible to weaken the hard line of Guomindang. Democratic movements start has to be expressed with more force. When Tchang dies, and that are wire Chiang Ching-kuo succeeds to him, it loosens the vice of the sole party. A political grouping except party is created, making it possible to avoid the repressive laws towards “the opponents with the mode”. The death of Chiang Ching-kuo, in 1988, leaves Taiwan in the doubt. The arrival of Li Tenghui, a native of Taiwan, supports finally the started reforms and democratization. The elections of 1996 are done democratically and renew Li Tenghui.

But the true evolution is undoubtedly in polarization around the idea of official Indépendance for the archipelago, discusses which monopolizes the Taiwanese policy mainly.

Chronological

30.000 years ago: more hurdy-gurdy traces human in Taiwan (the man of Zuozhen)
6.000 years ago: the ancestors of the indigenous current start to arrive by vagueness successive at Taiwan.
1.000 years ago: the ancestors of the Da' O arrive on the island of Lanyu (the island of the orchises).
1544 : The Portuguese cross off Taiwan and name the island Formosa ( Ilha Formosa ).
1624 : The Dutch settle with Tainan and Anping where they build two forts. They will make trade and will évangéliseront part of the aboriginals to their contact.
1626 : The Spanish settle in the north of the island with Tamsui and Keelung. They will try to make the same thing as the Dutchmen but with much less success.
1642 : the Spaniards are driven out by the Dutchmen.
1661 : Koxinga takes Taiwan to make its base of it in order to fight against the Mandchous.
1662 : Koxinga beats the Dutchmen, who leave the island in their turn.
1683 : The Manchus (Dynasty Qing) take possession of Taiwan and place it under the authority of the province of the Fujian.
1885 : Taiwan becomes a Chinese Province.
1895 : Following the Sino-Japanese war (1894-1895) the treaty of Shimonoseki is signed; the China yields Taiwan to the Japan. Under the Japanese occupation, the education system, the infrastructures and the industry of Taiwan develop.
1945 : Japan capitulates. The nationalists of the Guomindang take the control of the island with the agreement of Allied (Conférence of Cairo). The Taiwaneses are not dominated any more by Japan. The newcomers of China import the Corruption and repression. The government and the Taiwanese population are in disagreement.
February 28th 1947: An incident bursts with Taipei (二二八事件). The population expresses and the confrontations with the nationalist government multiply. A terrible repression follows accompanied by approximately: 20000 with: 30000 dead. The leaders are carried out. The martial law is founded on all the island.
1949 : On the continent, in 1949, the communist proclaim the Popular republic of China. The marshal Tchang Kaï-chek, after having lost the war against Mao Zedong, takes refuge in Taiwan. He then positions back the martial law as well as a provisional government. The Chinese population arrived in 1949 represents 15 % of the total population of the island. But the immigrants take the control of Taiwan and the 85 % of Taiwanese.
1950 : The République of China is created in Taiwan.
1951 : The the United States and Taiwan sign the agreement of defense and assistance mutual insurance companies. The Traité of San Francisco is signed between the Allies and the Japan. By this treaty, Japan gives up its sovereignty on Taiwan. The treaty does not specify the news Souveraineté. It is considered whereas “the future statute of Taiwan will be decided in agreement with the intentions and the principles of the Charte of the United Nations”. It is the only international treaty of the 20th century concerning the statute of Taiwan.
1958 : The popular Armée with release (APL) of continental China launches an offensive against the small islands of Jinmen and Matsu. It is the Crise of the strait of Formosa. The United States intervenes and prevents the Chinese invasion.
1971 : UNO votes the recognition of the Popular republic of China like the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations (Résolution 2758). Consequently, the Republic of China loses the seat of this one and is excluded from all the organization.
1975 : Tchang Kaï-chek dies.
1979 : Beijing invites Taiwan to return “within the motherland”. The government is then called “authorities of Taipei” by the Popular republic of China.
1981 : Beijing proposes in Taipei the “three bonds” (trade, station, voyages), as well as the “four exchanges” (university, cultural, economic and sporting). China then invents the doctrines “a country, two systems”.
1982 : After having answered by the “three not” (not with the contacts, the negotiations and the compromises), Taiwan recognizes the leaders of Beijing like the “Chinese communist authorities”.
1987 : The martial law, which lasts since 1949, is raised to Taiwan. The population is authorized to visit the Popular republic of China.
1991 : The Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui announces the end of the “period of national mobilization for the suppression of the communist rebellion”.
November 1993: The Taiwanese Minister for the economy announces provisional policy the “of two Chinas”, which relates to “two Sovereign states”.
Mars 1996: The Popular republic of China starts operations Naval Aviation along the coast of the Fujian. In particular it draws from the missiles off Taiwan. The reaction of the United States is the deployment of two nuclear Porte-avions in the zone. Lee Teng-hui is elected president by the vote for all.
Be 1999: The doctrines of “only one China” are abandoned. Taiwan wants to negotiate State in State with the Popular republic of China. This one then utters threats of war by envisaging an military intervention in the event of independence evolution.
February 2000: A White paper is published in Beijing.
Mars 2000: The Guomindang is beaten with the presidential elections by the Minjindang (Democratic party progressist). The new president de Taïwan east Chen Shui-bian.
2004 : Chen Shui-bian is re-elected.

Random links: