Taiwan history/Period of Passive Rule over Taiwan
Keep or Abandon?
[edit | edit source]Most Qing officials, including Emperor Kangxi initially, viewed Taiwan as a worthless, disease-ridden island. However, general Shi Lang, the commander who conquered Taiwan, strongly opposed abandonment. He presented a memorial to the throne arguing that if the Qing abandoned Taiwan, Dutch colonists or maritime pirates would immediately reoccupy it. This would recreate a permanent naval threat right on China's doorstep. In the end, Qing annexed Taiwan, making it a part of the empire.
Strict Immigration Bans
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To prevent the Taiwan to become another pirate stronghold, there were strict immigration bans across the Taiwan strait. Despite of the ban, limited land in the mainland drove waves of illegal, cross-strait migration.
Closing Off the Mountains
[edit | edit source]Following a massive Han uprising (the Zhu Yigui Incident in 1721), the Qing government implemented a policy to restrict Han migration to the mountains. The Qing established boundary lines along the western plains. They left the mountainous and eastern regions completely outside state control, viewing indigenous populations as being beyond the reach of Qing governance. However, the Han Chinese migrants continuously crossed the borders to cultivate land.
Rebellion
[edit | edit source]Due to the corruption of the government, there were a lot of rebellion under Qing rule.
The Three Major Popular Uprisings in Taiwan
[edit | edit source]- Zhu Yigui Incident (1721)
- Lin Shuangwen Incident (1786)
- Dai Chaochun Incident (1862)
There is a phrase "三年一小反，五年一大亂 (Three years there's a small rebellion, Five years there's a major uprising)" was used to describe the situation in Taiwan.