History of Taiwan: 1945-Present
Have you ever bought a product labeled “Made in Taiwan?” Where is Taiwan? About 100 miles off the eastern coast of China, this island has a unique history, as well as a surprisingly important role in today’s world affairs. In 1945, following invasion by Japan during WWII, a long civil war led to a huge migration from Mainland China to Taiwan, also known as Formosa. The ruling Nationalist government fled to Taiwan, declaring it the capitol of the Republic of China, and dominating the native population until the 1990’s. Meanwhile, the Communist government gained control of Mainland China, or the People’s Republic of China. They remain in control today. Totalitarian rule gradually ended and democracy emerged in Taiwan. However, there are serious issues still to be resolved, the most important being whether China will allow Taiwan to remain independent. Rather than recognizing it as a country, China keeps Taiwan’s political status constantly in question. The US has a challenging role in this sometimes volatile and always complex situation.