Taiwan’s modern history began with Dutch colonization in 1624, when the Dutch East India Company established Fort Zeelandia, using Taiwan as a trading hub. The Spanish briefly controlled northern Taiwan (1626–1642) until ousted by the Dutch. In 1662, Ming loyalist Koxinga expelled the Dutch, making Taiwan a base against the Qing dynasty. The Qing annexed Taiwan in 1683, ruling it as a prefecture until 1895.
Japan seized Taiwan after the First Sino-Japanese War (1895), modernizing infrastructure and industry during its 50-year rule. Post-World War II, Taiwan reverted to China in 1945, but civil war led the Nationalist government (Kuomintang) to retreat to Taipei in 1949, establishing the Republic of China (ROC). The ROC maintained authoritarian rule under Chiang Kai-shek, while the People’s Republic of China (PRC) claimed Taiwan.
From the 1960s, Taiwan’s economy boomed, transforming it into a tech powerhouse.
Democratization began in the 1980s, culminating in free elections by 1996.
Today, Taiwan is a vibrant democracy with a distinct identity, though tensions with the PRC persist over sovereignty. Its global significance lies in semiconductors and geopolitical strategy, navigating complex international relations.
The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) has never held a claim to Taiwan, EVER.
I really want to stress this point once more: NEVER is the modern history of the island, in colonial times, when its name was Formosa, has the CCP been involved with the island.
Taiwan’s strategic importance is comprised of three main elements: its geographic location, economic and technological might, and geopolitical role. - It is situated in the Western Pacific and controls key maritime routes in the Taiwan Strait, vital for global trade. Think how much power the CCP would have over other countries in the Pacific, if its ships could traverse these straits, at will.
- Taiwan produces over 60% of the world’s semiconductors, powering technology from smartphones to military systems, making it indispensable to global supply chains.
If the CCP somehow gains control of this island, it will have a near-monopoly over the oil of the 21st century --- chips.- Politically, Taiwan’s democratic status contrasts with China’s authoritarianism, symbolizing a flashpoint in U.S.-China rivalry.
To me, this is the real issue. The free nations of the world, which believes in the rights of the individual, cannot afford to allow the CCP to conquer Taiwan, because that signal to every other authoritarian regime, from Latin America to Africa and the Middle East, that America is weak.
The Taiwanese understand, in the new world we have entered, that the United States isn't going to defend it, unless its own citizens are prepared to fight for themselves and protect their way of life.
The Taiwanese are not taking peace for granted. They are taking steps to defend it.
They are watching the war zones of Israel and Ukraine, to see how the few are able to hold back the many. They're investing in drones, cyber, unmanned systems, decentralized command (where the individual is able to innovate, instead of the general) and have enacted a 1-year training requirement for all.
They're enlisting their society to the war effort, fortifying infrastructure, stockpiling supplies on the island, and strengthening the partnership with Washington.
When the time comes and it will, this battle will decide the fate of the Western World. |
