Taiwan's Early Days: Until 1683 History Quiz

Migration and Early Settlement

• Chinese mainland to Taiwan migration was prohibited, but sizable Chinese towns emerged, such as Chiayi, Hsinchu, and Taipei, in the 18th century.
• Many important temples were founded during this period.

Law and Order

• The government and judicial systems were corrupt, leading to a lawless environment.
• Banditry was widespread, with immigrants from different parts of Fujian fighting each other and the aborigines over land and water rights.

Taiwan's Population and Development

• By 1811, Taiwan's population exceeded two million.
• In the second half of the 19th century, Taiwan attracted Western and Japanese interest for economic and strategic reasons.

Taiwan's History with China and Japan

• Taiwan became part of China in 1683 and remained so until 1895.
• The French occupied Keelung and the Penghu islands (part of Taiwan) in 1884-85.
• Taiwan was finally upgraded to a province in its own right in 1885, previously being treated as part of Fujian (a mainland Chinese province).
• Taiwan became a colony of Japan from 1895 to 1945, following China's defeat in the war.

The Republic of China (Taiwan)

• The country's flag represents three core principles: white sun (equality and democracy), blue (liberty and nationalism), and red (no specific representation mentioned).
• Taiwan's people have shaped the island's history, with local experiences and influences from China and Japan.

Geography and Demographics

• Taiwan is a small group of islands north of the Philippines and west of the China coast.
• The main island is shaped like a sweet potato, earning native Taiwanese the nickname "children of the sweet potato".
• The population density is a factor in making modern Taiwanese society highly competitive and entrepreneurial, yet also urban-centered and outward-looking.

Early History

• Taiwan was inhabited for perhaps 30,000 years before the Portuguese dubbed it Ilha Formosa, "beautiful island", in 1544.
• The Dutch East India Company founded a small colony on Taiwan's southwest coast in 1624, which later evolved into the Mandarin term for the whole island, Taiwan.
• Koxinga, an ardent supporter of China's Ming Dynasty, overthrew the Europeans in 1662 but died of malaria shortly after, and his Kingdom of Dongning lasted 21 years until Qing forces attacked in 1683.