A Short History of Taiwan - by Gary Davison (Hardcover)

About the Book

This concise account of Taiwan's history makes a cogent, compelling argument for the right of the Taiwanese people to declare their nation independent, if they so choose. Davison's bold stand--unprecedented from a Western author--challenges the one China notion advanced in the Shanghai Communique of 1972 and states unequivocally that, should independence be proclaimed, it could only be taken away by force if the international community sides with contemporary might over historical right. He argues that the possible conflict could be sufficiently incendiary to induce a major military clash between the United States, the People's Republic of China, and other major powers.

Davison lets the facts of Taiwanese history make the case for Taiwan's existence as a unique national entity. A historical overview details the circumstances under which the Qing dynasty made its 17th century claim on the island, the events that led to cession to Japan in 1895, the origins of the Guomindang occupation during the Chinese Civil War, and the dramatic election of March 2000 that brought the Democratic Progressive Party's Chen Shuibian to office, ending Guomindang domination. After centuries of outsider domination, and over a hundred years of disconnection from any government exercising power over all of mainland China, the Taiwanese people are in a position to make a decision for national independence based on solid historical evidence.

Book Synopsis

This concise account of Taiwan's history makes a cogent, compelling argument for the right of the Taiwanese people to declare their nation independent, if they so choose. Davison's bold stand--unprecedented from a Western author--challenges the one China notion advanced in the Shanghai Communique of 1972 and states unequivocally that, should independence be proclaimed, it could only be taken away by force if the international community sides with contemporary might over historical right. He argues that the possible conflict could be sufficiently incendiary to induce a major military clash between the United States, the People's Republic of China, and other major powers.

Davison lets the facts of Taiwanese history make the case for Taiwan's existence as a unique national entity. A historical overview details the circumstances under which the Qing dynasty made its 17th century claim on the island, the events that led to cession to Japan in 1895, the origins of the Guomindang occupation during the Chinese Civil War, and the dramatic election of March 2000 that brought the Democratic Progressive Party's Chen Shuibian to office, ending Guomindang domination. After centuries of outsider domination, and over a hundred years of disconnection from any government exercising power over all of mainland China, the Taiwanese people are in a position to make a decision for national independence based on solid historical evidence.

Review Quotes

"A book of significance to familiarize the world community of scholars and educators with the history of Taiwan since the 17th century. Davison has done a good job in bringing Taiwan's history back to the right track, that is, in Taiwan's own right. It provides a concise account of the historical fates imposed on and experienced by Taiwanese society over the past four centuries, a history of constant outside aggressions and never ending struggles for autonomy from inside. Taiwan has come a long way, as this book argues, to have finally determined its own destiny since the year 2000."-H. H. Michael Hsiao Executive Director Center for Asian Pacific Area Studies Academia Sinica

"This book sidesteps the international dimension of the Taiwan question to make the case for independence. Davison traces the growth of a distinct Taiwanese cultural identity only partially related to China, arguing that Taiwan's independence is for the island's people alone to decide."-Edward L. Farmer Professor of History and East Asian Studies, University of Minnesota

"This is, by far, the only book that explores the modern development of Taiwan from a chronological perspective. With fine scholarship, the author successfully blends narration and analysis in a concisely written history that gives voice to Taiwan's leaders, parties, and peoples. The responses of Taiwan's people explain why the idea of independence loomed large as time passed, and the historical perspective featured in the book provides room for further discussion of the Mandate of Taiwan. This book provides not only a good general understanding of the past and present Taiwan but also definitely serves as a good reference for the study of the future of Taiwan."-Peter Chen-main Wang National Chung Cheng University

About the Author

GARY MARVIN DAVISON is a teacher-researcher for the Academic Education Division of the Minneapolis Urban League. He is author (with Barbara E. Reed) of Culture and Customs of Taiwan (Greenwood, 1998).