The Trends in Taiwanese historical research after the Re-Election of the DPP

Author : Kim Bong Jun

Page : 275-314

Abstract

 This article aims to elaborate on the current trends and features of Taiwan history research and to provide a direction for Korean academic to understand Taiwanese society and history. In the main, this article will attempt to analyse the current trends and characteristics of Taiwanese history research, with a particular focus on the changes since the DPP's return to power and their impact. In the 2016, Taiwanese presidential election, the DPP won power, and Tsai Ing-wen was re-elected in the 2020 presidential election. There is an ongoing debate on how these political changes affect the study of Taiwanese history, and how Taiwan's identity and inherent capabilities have been historically emphasised in the context of de-Chinaisation.

 In addition, the overall trend in Taiwanese history research has been to move away from a focus on colonialism and continental nationalism in the past, and to emphasise the need for Taiwanese to write their own history and to be seen as the agents of Taiwan's history. This shows that the study of Taiwanese history is endeavouring to understand historical agency from different perspectives. The study of population movements and migration to Taiwan since prehistoric times is also being conducted from a variety of perspectives. Recent research trends have been characterised by an exploration of the background and characteristics of Taiwan's population movements in various areas, including geographical and economic causes, as well as political fluctuations, changes in political structures, and changes in identity.

 Since 20 century, the study of Taiwan history has reflected a diversity of values and emphasised the recognition that Taiwan is a pluralistic society. In particular, efforts have been made to identify the impact of social phenomena such as migration, economic change, and natural disasters on Taiwanese history, as well as political change and the expansion of power. In addition, recent studies of Taiwanese history have sought to demonstrate that ethnicity, religion, and community are indicators of current social conflicts. These themes are emerging as important aspects of Taiwanese history, which is an indication of the growing interest in studying how they operate as axes of change and conflict within Taiwanese society.

 ​<Key Word>​

Taiwan history, identity disputee, De-Chinaization, the white terror, foreign government