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| History of Taiwan |
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The history of
Taiwan is a story of both frustration and miracles. Taiwan,
isolated and poorly developed, had been a neglected island before
the 17th century. But during the age of exploration and maritime
conquest by Europeans, Taiwan attracted world attention because
of its strategic location and natural resources. The Dutch and
the Spanish colonized parts of northern and southern Taiwan.
Jheng Cheng-gong , who was loyal to the fallen Ming dynasty
, defeated the Dutch in 1662 and set up a government on Taiwan
to defy the Manchus, who had established the Ching dynasty.
The Manchus conquered Taiwan in 1683 and ruled it until 1895,
when Taiwan was ceded to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese
War. Eventually, Taiwan was returned to China at the end of
World War II.
The Republic of China (ROC) was bom in the Wuchang Revolution
which erupted on October 10, 1911. The ROC was formally established
on January 1, 1912 and brought the republican form of government
to Asia. Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the nation's founding father, sought
to create a government "of the people, by the people, and
for the people" to replace the weak, corrupt bureaucracy
of the Ching dynasty. In less than four hundred years, the island
has developed into one of the most modern countries in the world.
These achievements attest to the success of the economic development
and democracy that the people of Taiwan have accomplished with
unyielding and determined perseverance.
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