A Short History of Taiwan: The Case for Independence

by Gary Marvin Davison

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.

Genres: History, China, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 2003

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an incredibly bizarre book. As far as general introductions to Taiwan's history, I think that Denny Roy's book or the compilation book Taiwan: A New History, might be better choices. This book sort of summarizes the pro-independence stance in Taiwan on its history and thus attempts to write a case for a Taiwanese nationalist history. But it is written by an outsider, albeit one who is trained in and researched Taiwanese history before, but does not live in Taiwan. In that sense, it would probably be better to read some things by actual Taiwanese people on these matters. The book is also almost 20 years old now, and a lot has changed since then. So maybe it could be interesting to assign it to teach with alongside something from a more KMT stance? Not sure.

[Harry Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is based on a limited number of secondary sources, some Chinese, some English. However, it is short, clear, and inexpensive.

The writing seems rushed toward the end, with the milestones of Taiwan's democratization listed rapid-fire and without profundity.

The case for Taiwanese independence made here is unobtrusive and grounded in plain fact.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Independence

This was a very good book on the case for Taiwan's independence.

A lot of really good points.

Timely and important vital read.

4.8/5

[robodoge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-researched yet approachable as a summary of Taiwanese history. The title does this book injustice in terms of potentially alienating people who would do well to read this; this was less of a political argument than more of a factual recollection of the timeline that led to Taiwan as it is now.

Might doesn't make right, but the group with power gets to define what happens. Another common theme are the chains of lucky events that turned Taiwan into the economic powerhouse it is today. Ultimately: good, competent leaders and a politically literate populace.

That being said, I still need to learn mandarin properly to read stuff like this not from western perspectives.