Taiwan's history spans thousands of years — from indigenous peoples, Dutch colony, Ming-Zheng kingdom, Qing rule, Japanese colony, to modern Republic of China.
Indigenous Peoples and Early Europeans (before 1624)
Austronesian indigenous peoples inhabited Taiwan for thousands of years. 16th century Portuguese sailors named it "Formosa" (beautiful island).
Dutch Colony (1624-1662)
Dutch East India Company occupied southern Taiwan 1624. Built Fort Zeelandia in Tainan. Brought Christianity, commerce, education.
Ming-Zheng Kingdom (1662-1683)
Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong) expelled Dutch 1662 — established Ming-Zheng kingdom. Taiwan became base for anti-Qing Ming restoration.
Qing Rule (1683-1895)
Qing defeated Ming-Zheng 1683 — Taiwan incorporated into Fujian province. 212 years of Qing rule. Became separate province 1885. Mass Han Chinese immigration.
Japanese Colony (1895-1945)
First Sino-Japanese War 1895 — Qing ceded Taiwan to Japan (Treaty of Shimonoseki). 50 years Japanese rule. Modern infrastructure, education, agriculture. Japan surrendered WWII 1945 — Republic of China took over Taiwan.
Republic of China Period (1945-today)
1949 Chinese Civil War — Chiang Kai-shek and KMT retreated to Taiwan. Cross-strait division. Lost UN seat 1971. Taiwan Economic Miracle 1960-1990s — one of "Four Asian Tigers". 1996 first direct presidential election — democratization.
Modern Taiwan
23 million population. World semiconductor centre (TSMC 60% global production). Tsai Ing-wen (2016-2024), Lai Ching-te (2024-) presidents. Complex cross-strait relations. First Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage (2019).