Six overarching threads running throughout—macro perspectives that connect the periodisation and timeline below.
A Maritime Crossroads: Taiwan in World History
Taiwan lies at the intersection of the East Asian island arc and maritime routes. Nearly every change of regime was a local manifestation of shifts in the world situation: the Age of Discovery brought the Netherlands and Spain to this island; the Ming–Qing dynastic transition gave rise to the Kingdom of Tungning (Zheng regime); imperialist competition led to Taiwan being ceded to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War; the end of World War II and the Cold War order shaped the postwar situation; and Taiwan’s democratisation was also an important case in the global “third wave of democratisation.” Reading Taiwan’s history is also reading one facet of world history.
A layered immigrant society
The population of this island has been layered one upon another: Austronesian peoples who settled here thousands of years ago; migrants from Fujian and Guangdong who crossed the sea beginning in the seventeenth century; Japanese people who came to Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period; migrants from various provinces of mainland China who moved to Taiwan with the government around 1949; and more recent new residents from Southeast Asia. Each wave of migration brought new languages, beliefs, and ways of life, and each also encountered conflicts with earlier arrivals over land, resources, and identity. The classic historiographical debate over the nature of Taiwan society during the Qing period—Li Kuo-ch’i’s theory of “mainlandisation” and Chen Chi-nan’s theory of “indigenisation”—centres precisely on how this settler society took root locally and developed its own character. Understanding “who came when, and whom they encountered” is a key to understanding Taiwan society.
Indigenous peoples (of Taiwan): a perspective longer than four hundred years
“Four hundred years” counts the history of outside regimes, not the history of this island—Austronesian peoples have lived here for at least five or six thousand years. Thereafter, every regime changed their land and lives: the Dutch tax-farming system for Indigenous villages, the Qing-period frontier settlement and mountain-opening and Indigenous pacification policies, the Japanese colonial period’s Indigenous administration and group resettlement, and postwar assimilation policies. In 1990, Academia Sinica Academician Tsao Yung-ho proposed the concept of “Taiwan island history,” advocating the island as the stage of history and all the island’s peoples as its subjects, breaking free from the framework of “periodisation by changes of regime”—echoing the French Annales School’s perspective of the “longue durée”: regimes are brief events, while the lives of the island and its peoples are the underlying rhythm of history. The same period of history, viewed from the perspective of the mountains and sea, is often another story.
From periphery to subject
In the eyes of most rulers, Taiwan was long a “periphery”: a trading outpost of the East India Company, an overseas frontier region passively governed by the Qing Empire, and the first colony of the Japanese Empire. Yet the island’s people continually developed their own society amid peripheral circumstances—the popular uprisings of the Qing period, the parliamentary petition movement and cultural movement of the Japanese colonial period, and the long postwar movement for democracy. One of the main threads of four hundred years is that “objects of rule” gradually became “subjects determining their own destiny.”
Scars and repair: Why transitional justice is needed
The past four hundred years included prosperity and construction, but also military campaigns, repression, and injustice. After democratisation, Taiwan society chose not to avoid these scars—truth investigations, exoneration and compensation, the opening of archives, and preservation of memory. This is not to settle accounts with anyone, but to affirm one thing: state power must be constrained, regardless of the era or the political colour of the regime. Remembering the lessons is to prevent history from repeating itself.
An outcome not to be taken for granted: democratisation in comparative perspective
In The Third Wave (1991), political scientist Samuel Huntington called the global wave of democratisation since the mid-1970s the “third wave,” and Taiwan is one of its representative cases. A feature of Taiwan’s transition was that, without bloodshed from civil war or revolution, it advanced through interaction inside and outside the system between reforms by the rulers and struggles by opposition movements; scholars often call it a “quiet revolution.” Comparative political research also reminds us that many third-wave cases later experienced democratic backsliding, whereas Taiwan has completed multiple transfers of power between political parties and continued to deepen human rights protections, with international rankings placing it among Asia’s freest societies for many years. For an island “ruled for four hundred years” to have reached this point is not something to be taken for granted in world history.
Select any period to explore factual introductory readings, key events, and authoritative sources for that period.
Thematic in-depth reading that transcends periodisation—more facets of Taiwan subjectivity.
An overview of major historical events. Select a period above to read the full introductory guide.
Since ancient times
An island of Austronesian peoples
Before outside regimes landed, Taiwan had already been a homeland where Austronesian peoples had lived for thousands of years. From prehistoric cultures such as Changbin, Dapenkeng, Beinan, and Shihsanhang, to the community societies of the various Indigenous peoples (of Taiwan), this island’s story is far earlier and deeper than “four hundred years.”
1624
The Dutch occupied Tayouan and built Fort Zeelandia
The Dutch East India Company occupied Tayouan (present-day Anping, Tainan), built Fort Zeelandia, used Taiwan as an entrepôt trading base, and encouraged Han Chinese migrants to settle and cultivate sugarcane. Taiwan was incorporated into the modern world system for the first time.
1626
The Spanish occupied Keelung in the north
The Spanish occupied Keelung and Tamsui in the north, building forts and conducting missionary work. They and the Dutch in the south held the north and south separately, until the Spanish were expelled by the Dutch in 1642.
1662
Koxinga expelled the Dutch and established Chengtian Prefecture
Koxinga besieged Fort Zeelandia and drove out the Dutch, establishing Chengtian Prefecture and setting up one prefecture and two counties. Zheng Jing succeeded him and renamed it Tungning; Chen Yonghua promoted military-agricultural settlements, fostered culture and education, and built a Confucian temple, laying the foundations of Han Chinese society.
1683
The Qing period begins
Qing general Shi Lang attacked Taiwan, Zheng Keshuang surrendered to the Qing, and Taiwan was incorporated into Qing territory under Fujian Province. At first, a ban on crossing to Taiwan was adopted, while the settler society gradually took shape.
1721
The Zhu Yigui Incident
One of the three major popular uprisings in the early Qing period. It reflected tensions between officials and the people in settler society, and was also a microcosm of the social unrest of this period.
1858
Opening of treaty ports and trade
After Taiwan's ports were opened to trade, exports of tea, sugar, and camphor flourished. The north rose to prominence through tea and camphor, and Taiwan's links with international trade became closer.
1874
The Mudan Incident · Shen Baozhen's governance of Taiwan
The Japanese military dispatched troops to southern Taiwan on the pretext of the Ryukyuan castaways incident. Afterwards, the Qing court became more proactive in governing Taiwan. Shen Baozhen came to Taiwan to prepare defenses, built Fort Erkun, and initiated the later phase of construction.
1885
Taiwan established as a province · Liu Mingchuan's modernization
Taiwan was established as a province. Liu Mingchuan, its first provincial governor, implemented modern infrastructure projects including railways, telegraphs, and postal services, and Taipei gradually became the political center.
1885
Founding of the Taiwan Prefectural City Church News: Taiwan's first newspaper
Reverend Thomas Barclay founded the Taiwan Prefectural City Church News in Tainan. Printed in Taiwanese vernacular writing (Roman script), it was the first newspaper in Taiwan's history; many believers who had not received education in Chinese writing (including women) were able to read and write for the first time through vernacular writing.
1895
Taiwan ceded to Japan under the Treaty of Shimonoseki · the Yiwei War
Following its defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Qing court ceded Taiwan to Japan under the Treaty of Shimonoseki. Armed resistance arose in various places, but the short-lived Republic of Formosa quickly collapsed, and Taiwan entered Japanese colonial rule.
1908
Completion of the entire Western Trunk Railway line
The colonial government promoted modernization projects. The completion of the entire Western Trunk Railway line, together with water conservancy, public health, education, and the monopoly system, changed the face of the island.
1921
Founding of the Taiwan Cultural Association
In the 1920s, resistance shifted to a nonviolent course. The Taiwan Cultural Association was founded, promoting new knowledge through cultural lectures and reading clubs. Petitions for the establishment of a parliament and labor and peasant movements unfolded in succession, while the New Literature Movement also emerged at this time (see the “Island Portraits” exhibition hall for details).
1930
Completion of the Chianan Irrigation Canal · Wushantou Reservoir
The Chianan Irrigation Canal, planned and designed by Governor-General's Office engineer Hatta Yoichi, was completed after ten years. Wushantou Reservoir was one of Asia's largest reservoirs at the time; approximately 16,000 kilometers of canal routes, combined with a three-year rotational irrigation system, irrigated approximately 150,000 jia of farmland on the Chianan Plain, transforming dry land into a granary.
1930
Taiwanese vernacular writing debate: writing Taiwan literature in Taiwanese
Huang Shih-hui published “Why Not Advocate Native Literature,” advocating writing in Taiwanese and depicting Taiwanese subjects, thereby sparking the Taiwanese vernacular writing debate—“what language should be used for writing” thereafter became a central question of Taiwan literature.
1930
The Musha Incident
In 1930, Seediq people rose up in Musha against colonial rule and were subjected to severe suppression. This was a major incident of armed resistance by Indigenous peoples (of Taiwan) during the Japanese colonial period.
1937
Kōminka and wartime mobilization
After 1937, Kōminka policies were implemented alongside wartime mobilization. Chinese-language sections of newspapers were abolished, and New Literature written in Chinese lost an important venue, causing the literary scene to enter a downturn.
1945
End of World War II · Nationalist Government takeover
World War II ended in 1945, bringing Japanese colonial rule to an end, and the Nationalist Government took over Taiwan. Postwar reconstruction and adjustment also planted the seeds of subsequent conflicts.
1947
The February 28 Incident
In 1947, a conflict between officials and civilians triggered by the Monopoly Bureau's crackdown on illicit cigarettes expanded into an island-wide incident. The government subsequently deployed troops to suppress it, causing large numbers of casualties, including many social elites; official and academic estimates of the number of casualties differ. In 1995, the government issued an apology through the president's representative and promoted compensation, reparations, and commemoration.
1949
Government relocation to Taiwan · implementation of martial law
In 1949, the government relocated to Taiwan and implemented martial law (until 1987, lasting thirty-eight years). Under martial law, political parties and newspapers were banned; assembly, association, speech, and publication were strictly restricted; and civilians could be tried by military courts. A large number of political cases occurred during this period, known as the White Terror. Many people were detained, tried, and even executed without due process, and human rights were seriously violated.
1950s
Land reform and U.S. aid
In the 1950s, land reform through the 375 rent reduction / public land release / land-to-the-tiller programmes, together with the infusion of U.S. aid, laid the foundation for subsequent economic development.
1960–80s
Economic takeoff
Industrialization driven by export processing zones and the Ten Major Construction Projects enabled Taiwan's economy to grow rapidly, making it one of the “Four Asian Tigers.” Social structures also changed accordingly.
1971
Withdrawal from the United Nations
The United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 2758, under which the People's Republic of China obtained China's representation, while the Republic of China announced its withdrawal from the United Nations before the vote. Thereafter, diplomatic allies successively shifted recognition (Taiwan and Japan severed diplomatic relations in 1972), and Taiwan's international situation entered its most difficult era.
1979
U.S.–Republic of China diplomatic rupture · the Taiwan Relations Act
The United States established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and severed diplomatic relations with the Republic of China; in the same year, the U.S. Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act, governing unofficial relations with Taiwan under domestic law and continuing to provide defensive weapons, becoming the cornerstone of subsequent Taiwan–U.S. relations.
1979
The Kaohsiung Incident
Non-Kuomintang figures held an International Human Rights Day march in Kaohsiung, triggering clashes, and many participants were arrested and tried. This incident consolidated the energy of the democratic movement and was an important turning point in Taiwan's path toward democratization.
1987
The lifting of martial law
Martial law was lifted on July 15, 1987, ending thirty-eight years of martial law; in the same year, members of the public were permitted to visit the mainland to see relatives, while the newspaper ban and party ban were lifted in succession (the Democratic Progressive Party had already been established the previous year). Taiwan society thereafter moved toward comprehensive liberalization.
1987
Founding of TSMC: the era of semiconductor foundry services
From the introduction of technology under the Industrial Technology Research Institute's RCA project in 1976, and the establishment of the Hsinchu Science Park in 1980, to TSMC's pioneering pure-play foundry model in 1987—Taiwan gradually came to occupy a key position in the global semiconductor supply chain.
1988
Hakka movement to reclaim the mother tongue
More than ten thousand Hakka people took to the streets of Taipei, calling for the opening of Hakka-language radio and television programmes, the implementation of bilingual education, and amendments to the Broadcasting and Television Act—the first large-scale social movement in Taiwan's history to demand language rights, and the starting point of contemporary Hakka consciousness.
1990
Wild Lily student movement
Several thousand students gathered in the plaza of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, putting forward four major demands: the dissolution of the National Assembly, the abolition of the Temporary Provisions, the convening of a National Affairs Conference, and a timetable for political and economic reforms. President Lee Teng-hui met with student representatives and convened a National Affairs Conference, after which constitutional reform accelerated.
1991–92
End of the Period of Mobilization for Suppression of the Communist Rebellion · Full re-election of the legislature
The Temporary Provisions against the Communist Rebellion were abolished, ending the Period of Mobilization for Suppression of the Communist Rebellion; the Statute for the Punishment of Rebellion was abolished, and Article 100 of the Criminal Code was amended the following year, granting institutional protection to freedom of speech. All senior central elected representatives retired from office, and the legislature underwent a full re-election.
1992–93
Cross-Strait negotiations between the two associations · Origins of the “1992 Consensus”
The Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits negotiated in Hong Kong over the formulation of “one China,” and afterwards each expressed its own position through exchanges of letters and telegrams; the Koo–Wang talks were held in Singapore the following year, the first high-level talks after more than forty years of cross-strait separation. The term “1992 Consensus” was coined by Su Chi in 2000 to summarize these negotiations; interpretations still differ as to its content and whether it constituted a consensus.
1995
February 28 apology · Compensation Act
At the inauguration ceremony of the February 28 Memorial Monument, President Lee Teng-hui apologized on behalf of the government to the victims and their families; the Act for Handling and Compensation of the February 28 Incident was enacted, and the February 28 Incident Memorial Foundation was established. From 1997 onward, February 28 Peace Memorial Day has been a national holiday.
1996
First direct presidential election
The President of the Republic of China was elected directly by citizens for the first time; even amid the tense circumstances of the Taiwan Strait missile crisis, the election was completed as scheduled, and the democratization project crossed a key milestone.
2000
First transfer of power between political parties
An opposition party won the presidential election, marking the first peaceful transfer of political power; subsequent alternations gradually became the norm, and Taiwan’s democratic system moved toward consolidation.
2016
Apology to Indigenous peoples
The President, on behalf of the government, formally apologized for the suffering and injustice endured by Indigenous peoples (of Taiwan) over the past four hundred years, and established the Presidential Office Indigenous Historical Justice and Transitional Justice Commission to advance the restoration of land, language, culture, and historical memory.
2018
Transitional Justice Commission · National Human Rights Museum
The Transitional Justice Commission began operations (until 2022), promoting the opening of political archives, redress for judicial injustice, and restoration of historical truth; the National Human Rights Museum was established in the same year, preserving memory and promoting human rights education at the White Terror Jing-Mei and Green Island Memorial Parks.
2019
National Languages Development Act: All national languages are equal
It stipulates that the natural languages used by Taiwan’s various inherent ethnic groups and Taiwan Sign Language are all national languages and are equal; those facing a crisis of transmission are to be prioritized—from bans on speaking local languages in schools to equality established by law, linguistic justice has taken seventy years.
2022
Rights Restoration Act · Continuation of the work
The Transitional Justice Commission’s mandate expired, and it submitted its Task Completion Report; the Act on Restoration of Rights for Victims of State Wrongdoings during the Period of Authoritarian Rule was enacted, and the Rights Restoration Foundation was established. The work of transitional justice was continued under the supervision of the Executive Yuan’s Transitional Justice Task Force.
To the present
Memory · Restoration · Never again
The memorial parks on Green Island and in Jing-Mei have transformed former sites of imprisonment into spaces for human rights education. The purpose of transitional justice is not to perpetuate division, but rather to ensure that truth is seen, pain is understood, and history does not repeat itself.
