Taiwanese Resistance to the Japanese Invasion (1895)

The Japanese invasion of Taiwan (Formosa)
Date May–October 1895 Location Taiwan (Republic of Formosa) Result Japanese victory
Belligerents
Republic of Formosa	Empire of Japan
Casualties and losses
Killed: approx. 14,000 including civilian casualties	Killed: 164 Wounded: 515 Died from disease: 4,642

The Taiwanese Resistance to the Japanese Invasion of 1895 was a conflict between the short-lived Republic of Formosa (Taiwan) and the Empire of Japan. The invasion came shortly after the Qing dynasty's cession of Taiwan to Japan in April 1895 at the end of the First Sino-Japanese War.

The Japanese landed near Keelung on May 29, 1895, and swept south to Tainan. Although their advance was slowed by guerrilla activity, they defeated the Taiwanese forces in five months. The Japanese victory at Baguashan on August 27 was the largest battle ever fought on Taiwanese soil and doomed the Formosan resistance. The fall of Tainan on October 21 ended organized resistance and began five decades of Japanese rule in Taiwan.

Background and causes

Mudan incident of 1871

Main article: Mudan incident

On November 6, 66 Ryūkyūan sailors wandered into the heart of Taiwan after their ship was destroyed in a typhoon, leaving them shipwrecked on the southeastern tip of Taiwan. On November 8 the 66 sailors arrived at the Mudan community and were ordered to stay there by the local Paiwan people. One day later, after expressing doubts, the 66 sailors attempted to escape. While 12 were taken into protective custody by Han Chinese officials, the remaining 54 were killed.

The survivors were lodged in the house of Yang Youwang, who allowed them to stay for 40 days. ^[1] By giving clothing and food to the Paiwan people, he was able to placate them. Afterward, the Japanese sailors stayed at the Ryukyuan embassy in Fuzhou, Fujian for half a year, and subsequently returned home to Miyako.

In retaliation for Qing, China's refusal to pay compensation on the grounds that the Taiwanese aboriginals were out of their jurisdiction, Japan sent the Taiwan Expedition of 1874. The first overseas deployment of the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy saw 3,600 soldiers win at the Battle of Stone Gate on May 22. Thirty Taiwanese tribesmen were either killed or mortally wounded in the battle. Japanese casualties counted six killed and 30 wounded. ^[2]

In November 1874 Japanese forces withdrew from Taiwan after the Qing government agreed to an indemnity of 500,000 Kuping taels.

Japanese occupation of the Pescadores

Main article: Pescadores Campaign (1895)

The Pescadores Campaign of March 23–26, 1895 marked the last military operation of the First Sino-Japanese War. As the 1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki between Qing, China and Japan originally omitted Taiwan and the Pescadores Islands, Japan was able to mount a military operation against them without fear of damaging relations with China. By occupying the Pescadores, Japan aimed to prevent Chinese reinforcements from reaching Taiwan. On March 15, 1895, a Japanese force of 5,500 men set sail for the Pescadores and landed on Pa-chau Island on March 23.

Due in part to the demoralized defenses of the Chinese, roughly 5,000 men, Japanese forces managed to take the Pescadores in three days. ^[3] While Japanese casualties were minimal, an outbreak of cholera killed 1,500 within days. ^{[2] [4]}

Treaty of Shimonoseki

Main article: Treaty of Shimonoseki

The final version of the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed at the Shunpanro hotel in Shimonoseki, Japan on April 17, 1895. ^[5] The treaty ended the First Sino-Japanese War between Japan and the Qing Empire. ^[5]

While Japan wanted Taiwan to be ceded to them, as it would provide an excellent base for military expansion into South China and Southeast Asia, China recognized Taiwan's importance as a trading point to the West, and refused to include it in the treaty.

Japan called the cession of Taiwan a necessity, China argued that it had been a province of China since 1885 and had not been a battleground in the war. Chinese officials refused to cede it, and instead transferred the Penghu islands and the eastern portion of the bay of the Liaodong peninsula. China was unable to keep Taiwan and it was included in the treaty, ending 200 years of Qing dynasty rule.

The conditions Japan placed on China led to the Triple Intervention of France, Germany, and Russia just six days after the signing. ^[5] With established ports and enclaves in China, the three countries demanded that Japan withdraw its claim on the Liaodong peninsula. ^[5]

The inclusion of Taiwan in the final treaty led pro-Qing officials to declare the Republic of Formosa in 1895. It never gained international recognition. ^{[6] [ unreliable source? ]}

The state flag of the Republic of Formosa

Republic of Formosa

Main article: Republic of Formosa

After hearing of the cession of Taiwan to Japan, pro-Qing officials led by Qiu Fengjia declared the Republic of Formosa. Tang Jingsong, the Qing governor-general of Taiwan, became the republic's first president. ^[7] Liu Yongfu, the retired Black Flag Army commander and national hero, became the Grand General of the Army. ^{[4] [7]}

Western powers were unable to recognize it due to its cession to Japan in the Treaty of Shimonoseki. Because Formosa intended to rely upon China for troops and defenses, it had to recognize China as sovereign, which alienated European powers. Meanwhile, China refused to acknowledge the republic to avoid offending Japan or sending Chinese troops to Formosa. Tang Jingsong was ordered to return to Peking.

Formosa existed for one week before Japan landed on its shores on May 29. ^[7]

Resistance

Tang Jingsong

Tang Jingsong

Main article: Tang Jingsong

Tang Jingsong (traditional Chinese: 唐景崧; simplified Chinese: 唐景嵩; pinyin: Táng Jǐngsōng) (1841–1903) was a Chinese statesman and general who convinced the Black Flag Army leader Liu Yongfu to serve China in Tonkin, and although he ultimately failed he was also widely praised for his actions in the Siege of Tuyên Quang (November 1884–March 1885).

Tang Jingsong was the governor of Taiwan when it was ceded to Japan in 1895 with the Treaty of Shimonoseki. ^[7] | He became president of the Republic of Formosa on May 25, 1895, and stayed to resist the Japanese. ^[7] On June 3, 1895, the Formosan forces were defeated at Keelung, but news of the defeat didn't reach Taipei until June 4. Tang Jingsong fled Taiwan on June 6. ^[2]

Liu Yongfu

Liu Yongfu

Main article: Liu Yongfu

Liu Yongfu (Chinese : 劉永福; pinyin : Liú Yǒngfú; Wade–Giles : Liu Yung-fu; Vietnamese : Lưu Vĩnh Phúc) (1837–1917) was a soldier of fortune and commander of the Black Flag Army. Convinced to join the fight by Tang Jingsong, he became a famous Chinese patriot in the fight against the French Empire in Tonkin.

He stayed in Taiwan with Tang Jingsong to fight the Japanese after the Treaty of Shimonoseki ^[7] and was given command of resistance forces in the south as a general. When Tang Jingsong fled, Liu Yongfu became the second and final leader of the Republic of Formosa. When it became apparent that Taiwan was lost, he left Taiwan on 20 October 1895 aboard a British merchant ship, the SS Thales, However the Yaeyama pursued it and caught up to the Thales in international waters near Amoy, but was unable to identify and capture the disguised Liu Yongfu. These actions spurred a diplomatic protests from Britain, and the Japanese government issued an official apology. On October 21, Tainan surrendered to the Japanese. ^{[2] [4]}

Capitulation of Tainan

Main article: Capitulation of Tainan

News that Liu Yongfu had fled reached Tainan on the morning of October 20. With both Tang Jingsong, and Liu Yongfu gone, Formosa was left with no real leadership. Many people fled to the port of Anping, away from the front lines. Chinese merchants and the European community were particularly concerned, fearing violence and plunder. Three Europeans from Maritime Customs at Anping, named Alliston, Burton, and McCallum, were able to convince nearly 10,000 soldiers gathered in Anping to give up their weapons and surrender peacefully to the Japanese. Using one of the go-downs of Maritime Customs to house the surrendered weaponry, between 7,000 and 8,000 Chinese rifles were secured by nightfall. ^[2]

Two English missionaries, James Fergusson and Thomas Barclay, agreed to go from Tainan to Lieutenant-General Nogi's headquarters in Ji-chang-hang with a letter from Chinese merchants explaining that the Chinese soldiers had laid down their weapons and would not fight back, and encouraging the Japanese forces to come maintain order. They were eventually successful in delivering the message. Nogi was wary but advanced on Tainan, and entered the city the next morning. ^{[2] [4]}

Formosan forces

While Taiwan had no shortage of men in May 1895, Tang Jingsong exaggerated their numbers considerably to boost the morale of his soldiers. He sometimes claimed to have as many as 150,000 soldiers including volunteers, but this number was scrutinized, and 75,000 considered more accurate. The Formosan forces included Chinese soldiers from the Qing garrison, Hakka militia units, and local volunteers. Members of the Qing garrison made up the largest percentage of their forces at about 50,000 soldiers, with the Hakka militia, and volunteer units making up the other 25,000. Liu Yongfu commanded approximately 20,000 men in the south, Qiu Fengjia about 10,000 men, and a Chinese admiral named Yang 30,000 men in the north. ^[2]

Casualties and losses

Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa

Formosan and Chinese casualties were high but are difficult to estimate. The total number of Formosan and Chinese casualties was estimated around 14 000. ^[3]

Japanese casualties were lower. Japan had 515 wounded and 164 killed. Casualties from diseases like cholera and malaria was much higher. A cholera outbreak in the Pescadores Islands at the end of March 1895 killed more than 1,500 Japanese soldiers, and even more died of malaria in September 1895 in Changhua not long after it was taken by the Japanese. According to Japanese numbers, 4,642 soldiers died in Taiwan and the Pescadores Islands of disease. By the end of the campaign, 21,748 Japanese soldiers had been evacuated back to Japan while 5,246 soldiers were hospitalized in Taiwan. ^[3]

Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa fell ill with malaria on October 18 and died in Tainan on October 28, only seven days after the city surrendered to the Japanese. The prince's body was escorted back to Japan by the cruiser Yoshino. A rumor circulated in Taiwan that the prince died of a wound that he had received during the Battle of Baguashan. ^{[3] [2]}

Japanese occupation

Economic change

The Japanese government sought to improve agriculture in Taiwan. In the 1920s, the agricultural innovations helped to bring forth exceptional crops such as sugar and rice. The two crops became the biggest exports from about 1900 to 1930. During this time, Taiwan experienced both a population and economic boom. However unrest among the growing population indicated that the benefits of economic growth were not divided equally. The Japanese government also did a survey to recount and re-distribute land in the 1900s and concluded that over two-thirds of owned land had been unaccounted for. The result was that taxes were tripled in Taiwan for landowners. ^{[ clarification needed ]}

Cultural influence

To compete with Western countries, Japan used Taiwan as an economic asset ^[8] and developed agriculture, the health system and public education. ^[9]

Although nationalists in Taiwan criticize the influence of Japan on Taiwan, many agree that the health system was overall beneficial to the country. Many health stations were established all over the country. ^[10] and research centers were developed to research and contain infectious diseases. The police force established by the Japanese was also given the task of maintaining public health. Since this required extra supervision, the Baojia system was adopted and improved upon. ^[11]

"Three Vices"

Part of Japan's social policy involved the "Three Vices", which the Office of the Governor-General considered archaic and unhealthy. These were opium, footbinding, and queues. ^{[12] [13]} Although Prime Minister Itō Hirobumi ordered opium banned in Taiwan as soon as possible, the government remained involved in the narcotics trade until Japan's surrender in 1945. ^[14]

The colonial government launched an anti-footbinding campaign in 1901, culminating in its eventual outlawing in 1915. Footbinding in Taiwan died out shortly after, as violators were subject to heavy punishment. The Colonial Government did relatively little to limit the wearing of queues besides exert social pressure, never even issuing formal edicts or laws on the matter. After the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911, the popularity of queues decreased further.

Taiwan Grand Shrine, a Shinto shrine constructed in Taipei in 1901

Religion

Japan's religious influence on Taiwan came in three phases.

Between 1895 and 1915 the colonial government promoted the existing Buddhist religion over Shintoism in Taiwan, in the belief that this would accelerate the assimilation of the Taiwanese into Japanese society. Buddhist temples were expanded and modified to accommodate Japanese elements such as worship of Ksitigarbha, popular in Japan but not in Taiwan at the time. The Japanese also built several new Buddhist temples in Taiwan, many of which combined aspects of Daoism and Confucianism, a mix which still persists in Taiwan today. ^[15]

In 1915, Japanese religious policies in Taiwan changed after the "Xilai Hermitage incident". The hermitage was a zhaijiao Buddhist hall where the follower Yu Qingfang (余清芳) started an anti-Japanese uprising, in which many other folk religion and Taoist sects took part. The Japanese government discovered the plot and Yu Qingfang was executed together with ninety-four followers. ^[15]

In 1937, after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident and the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Tokyo ordered rapid acculturation of the people of Japan's colonies. This included an effort to disaccustom people from Chinese traditional religions and convert them into the nexus of State Shinto. Many Shinto shrines were established in Taiwan. Chinese family altars were replaced with kamidana and butsudan , and a Japanese calendar of religious festivals was introduced. ^[15]

Non-violent protests

Hsieh Wen-ta

The beginning of Japanese rule saw barely any resistance from the Taiwanese. People felt that Japanese rule could serve better than previous governments established by the warlords. ^{[16] [ dubious ]} However, several decades later in 1915, several political groups emerged, ^[17] Among including the Popular Party, New People's Society, and Taiwan Cultural Association. Their biggest concerns were recognition of Taiwanese culture, free speech, and a desire to establish a parliament. ^[18] These petitions did not see widespread support, and no real progress was made at the time. After the withdrawal of Japan, these movements helped set the political standard and general political opinions of current Taiwan. ^{[19] [20]}

From October 16 to 22, 1923, Hsieh Wen-ta (謝文達) flew over Tokyo and dropped thousands of fliers against Japanese rule in Taiwan. Among the messages were "Taiwanese have long been suffering under tyrannical rule" and "The totalitarianism of the colonial government is a disgrace to the constitutional country of Japan!" Hsieh was the first Taiwanese aviator flying in 1921. ^[21]

Domestic reaction

During the 50-year occupation there were rebellions and guerrilla warfare that often led to battles and many deaths. From 1895 to 1902, fighting continued until the Japanese eventually gained control over most of the territory. This seven-year period of resistance ended when the Yunlin-based Tieguoshan force surrendered in May 1902. ^[22] In the following years, only a few rebellions occurred. However, in October 1930 fighting between a Taiwanese tribe and the Japanese killed over 130 Japanese. The Japanese crushed the rebellion, and over 600 Taiwanese died. This became known as the Musha Incident.

International reaction

Following the boom of agriculture in Taiwan, the export of sugar and rice increased. However, since Japan held the monopoly on this, Taiwan had little to offer on the international scene, and consequently had little to do with foreign countries.

References

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