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CS92PROD
History of Taiwan: From Origins to the Present
HIST 243
Fall 2015 not offered
Crosslisting: CEAS 243

Taiwan's island location and ethnic identities have determined its destiny. The island is part of an archipelago formation that runs from the Philippines through Japan. The Taiwan Strait separates the island from China by 90 miles. The Strait is churned by two colliding currents, by shallow seabeds of less than 50 meters, and by monsoons that pushed and sucked boats into a watery grave. This combination of distance and a threatening strait have buffered Taiwan from being completely absorbed by premodern colonial empires. Its natural resources have made Taiwan a major entrepot in international trade.

Taiwan has harbored immigrants and nourished multiple settlements of refugees, traders, merchants, and pirates. Since the end of World War II, Taiwan's population has grown from 8 million to 23 million. Economically, it is one of the so-called "Tigers of Asia," with exports exceeding $308 billion per year. And it is renowned for making a smooth transition from its authoritarian and martial law past to its current thriving democracy within 50 years of its modern existence. The Taiwanese diaspora is an important part of this narrative to Taiwan's history of trade, settlement, colonial rule, and current struggles regarding identity and issues of sovereignty.
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS HIST
Course Format: Lecture / DiscussionGrading Mode: Graded
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: None
Fulfills a Requirement for: (CEAS-MN)

Last Updated on NOV-04-2024
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