The 228 Incident in Taiwan led to severe repression by the ROC government and marked a period of civil unrest and protests.
Chiang Kai-shek's retreat to Taiwan, known as the Great Retreat, aimed to regroup, fortify defenses, and eventually retake the mainland, gaining renewed favor after the outbreak of the Korean War.
Deep dives
History of Taiwan's transition to ROC rule and the 228 incident
This podcast episode provides an overview of the history of Taiwan, starting with the end of World War II and the defeat of Japan. The Treaty of Shimono Seki left Taiwan under Chinese control, and it became part of the Republic of China (ROC) despite never being officially part of it. The episode highlights the 228 incident, a period of civil unrest and protests in 1947 that resulted in severe repression by the ROC government. People began to take sides, either supporting or opposing the Kuomintang (KMT) party led by Chiang Kai-shek. The podcast also mentions the involvement of US Ambassador John Layton Stewart and reporters Tillman Durden and Peggy Durden, whose words shed light on the situation. Ultimately, the ROC introduced reforms and declared martial law on Taiwan, leading to political repression, censorship, and purges, known as the white terror period.
Jiang Kai-shek's retreat to Taiwan and the consolidation of power
As the Chinese Civil War intensified and the Communist Party of China gained control of the mainland, General Chiang Kai-shek retreated to Taiwan, taking with him military equipment, gold reserves, artifacts, and loyal KMT supporters. More than one and a half million people migrated from the mainland to Taiwan during this period, known as the Great Retreat. Chiang aimed to regroup on Taiwan and eventually retake the mainland. Chiang faced challenges in building political support on Taiwan, but he implemented land reforms, stabilized the currency, and fortified Taiwan's defenses. Chiang's regime declared martial law and created a secret police force to suppress dissent and maintain one-party rule. Despite losing US support and facing opposition, Chiang's nationalist government found renewed favor after the outbreak of the Korean War, leading to a shift in international dynamics regarding Taiwan.
Chung-cheng's governance and reforms on Taiwan
Following Wei Dao Ming's short tenure as governor, Chiang Chung-cheng took charge of Taiwan. He initiated land reforms, redistributing former Japanese agricultural lands to poor farmers and implementing rent control measures. Additionally, Chiang introduced the New Taiwan Dollar, stabilized the currency, and served as chairman of the Taiwan provincial government and commander of the Taiwan garrison command. Martial law was reinstated, political parties other than the KMT were banned, and censorship and strict controls on freedom of speech and assembly were imposed. The secret police, known as the Taiwan provincial garrison command, driven by a fear of communism and Taiwanese independence, cracked down on dissent and disturbed social elements. Chiang's reforms, although attracting support from rural farmers, faced opposition from landlords and elites. He also prioritized fortifying Taiwan's defenses, leading to the repulsion of a PLA invasion attempt on the island.
The impact of the Korean War on Taiwan and Chiang Kai-shek's regime
The outbreak of the Korean War shaped the perceptions and support for Chiang Kai-shek's regime on Taiwan. The United States, initially distancing itself from Jiang due to the loss of China to the Communists, reversed course and provided military assistance to counter the threat of a PLA invasion of Taiwan. The Korean War made Jiang and the KMT regime more attractive to the US government, despite lingering opposition and mistrust. Jiang's prediction of Chinese intervention in the Korean War proved correct, further strengthening his international standing. The war reframed Taiwan as a strategic asset and an unsinkable aircraft carrier for the US. Amid the Cold War context, with fears of communism and nuclear weapons, Taiwan assumed a pivotal role for the US in its global strategy.
We finished last time with the 228 Incident. In Part 9 Chiang Kai-shek has to not only mop up from this PR disaster but get the island all prepped and ready for his later arrival, along with more than a million others feeling the communists. With the three victorious campaigns of 1948-49, the Nationalists are cornered and The Great Retreat steps into high gear. Everything that Chiang will need to keep his regime going is moved to Taiwan. This included soldiers, government officials, and KMT members, gold, and cultural treasures from the past few thousand years of Chinese history. Once everything is settled on Taiwan Chiang carries out a purge and puts Chen Cheng in place to whip Taiwan into shape. If Chiang was going to take back the Mainland he needed to get his house in order first.
