Taiwan independence movement

A political movement advocating Taiwan’s formal independence, either by separating from the People’s Republic of China or by replacing the Republic of China framework with a distinct Taiwanese state.

Taiwan under Japanese rule: The period from 1895 to 1945 when Taiwan was governed by the Empire of Japan. Japanese rule created a distinct colonial-era experience that later shaped Taiwanese identity.
Democratic Progressive Party: A Taiwanese political party founded in 1986 that has supported Taiwanese identity and, at times, formal independence. The party brought independence-oriented politics into Taiwan’s democratic electoral system.
Chinese reunification: The proposed political unification of mainland China and Taiwan under a single sovereign framework. Reunification directly opposes the movement’s goal of a state separate from the People’s Republic of China.
Cross-strait relations: Political, economic, and social relations between Taiwan and mainland China. Independence advocacy is a recurring source of tension in relations across the Taiwan Strait.
February 28 incident: A 1947 uprising in Taiwan and its violent suppression by the Republic of China government. The massacre deepened distrust of the postwar ruling authorities and became a central memory in Taiwan’s opposition politics.
Taiwanese identity: A sense of belonging to Taiwan, shaped by its society, history, and political experience. A distinct Taiwanese identity is a major social foundation for independence claims.
Chinese nationalism: A political nationalism asserting a shared Chinese nation and political community. Its view of Taiwan as part of China conflicts with independence-based accounts of Taiwanese sovereignty.
Taiwan Strait: The body of water separating Taiwan from mainland China. The movement’s political dispute is concentrated across this strategically significant strait.
White Terror (Taiwan): The period of political repression in Taiwan under martial law, from 1949 to 1987. Suppression of dissent made advocacy for Taiwanese self-determination a dangerous form of opposition.
Republic of China constitutional status: The legal and political position of the Republic of China government and constitution on Taiwan. The movement differs over whether independence requires replacing this existing state framework.

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