A Historical Study of Grand Unification in China-From the Qin and Han Dynasties to Late Qing Dynasty, with the establishment of Taiwan Province

• Main Authors: Ho,Hsiang-Ying, 何湘英
• Other Authors: Chien Hsu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2002
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/02542590567903391769

碩士 === 南華大學 === 公共行政與政策研究所 === 90 === 【Abstract】 Unlike previously authored theses, which mostly focus on the thought of unification during the Qin and Han Dynasties, this thesis presents a complete historical view of the existence and progression of the Grand Unification. In order to offer the historical events and their causes, leading up to the current controversy of “one China” across the Taiwan Strait, this thesis covers the unification beginning with the Qin and Han Dynasties, and continuing until the late Qing Dynasty,.when Taiwan was established as a province. Included here is a general discussion and an analysis of three phases of unification. In the general discussion, by examining Chinese culture, the basic concepts of "China" and "Grand Unification" are addressed. The Three phases of unification, which are extracteded from the general discussion, outline the three seperate periods of Grand Unification： Mainland Grand Unification - the period of theYuan and previous dynasties; Transitional Grand Unification - the time of Ming and Qing Dynasties including the issue of sovereignty over Taiwan; and Offshore Grand unification - after Taiwan was incorporated into China during the early Qing Dynasty . Chinese history is known for its integrity and consistency, so is the Grand Unification. Therefore, a question may rise about splitting the Grand Unifiation into three separate periods. For this reason, it must be made clear that the main focuses of this thesis are the phenomena and progression.of unification, and especially the space difference of unification in Taiwan. All in all, the Grand Unification during the Ming and Qing Dynasties had been progressing chiefly on the mainland while facing offshore challenges. The exercises of Mainland and Offshore Grand Unification during this period, therefore, resulted in the bitterest conflicts. When looking back at the Mainland Grand Unification, it should be realized that China has always existed, though there had been an alternation of dynasties, an invasion of different barbarian tribes, or a split of regions. Upon probing deeply into this subject, it is very obvious that the concept of "Family-State-the World" in ancient China has had a deep influence on the culture of unification. Also, there had been four different political characteristics during the Grand Unification periods: Emperor''''s rule: The system changed from feudalism to administrative prefectures and counties; The accomplishment of bureaucractic centralized government, and One-person rule. These complex ruling systems often caused China to be in a state of disorder and disunity, especailly during the South and North Dynasties , as well as Five Dynasties. Despite its chaotic condition, Chinese culture was never destroyed or made extinct. The rule of the Mongols and the Manchus over China. did not interrupt the Chinese heritage,either. What’s more, whether there was a loss or an expansion of its territory, the consistency of Chinese history stayed unharmed after going through so many twists and turns. Without a doubt, this unique consistency had cemented the Mainland Grand Unification . The Grand Unification would have been straightward as a progressive history if it had stayed on the track. But, the Dutch advancing eastward changed the course of Grand Unification and made it expanded to include Taiwan. The Offshore Grand Unification was underway. ever since then. When the Manchu Qing Dynasty succeeded in ruling the whole of China, the remnants of the defeated Ming Dynasty rose against it. This led China to another unification. After Cheng,Cheng-Kung and his people failed to restore the Ming Dynasty, they retreated to Taiwan and established the Ming Cheng Government to fight against the Qing Empire. As time passed, and more Han Chinese people migrated to Taiwan from the mainland, the Chinese culture became deeply rooted in Taiwan. Then Taiwan became involved in the system of Grand Unification. After Taiwan was under the administration of the Qing Dynasty, the offshore Grand Unificaion had officially begun. Through this study, the very important findings are that the Grand Unification has a uniform idea of unification, a variable concept of territory, and an integral principle of exercise. First, it does not only occur on the mainland, but also reach offshore island on the southeast coasts, and even including the farther Taiwan along the Pacific Ocean. Secondly, the exercises of Grand Unification are to consolidate China, not to make itself behave irrationally and invade others’ territories. All other political powers that could threaten China would become engulfed by the unification in a gradual progress. Thirdly, in order to have others unified, a necessary condition is that they have already been experiencing the Chinese disunity. This corroborates that “disunity” and “unification”may exist together. Therefore, any courses of them can be used as a good source of tracing the orgins and trends of the Chinese Grand Unification. From the above findings, it comes to a conclusion: The Grand Unification progressed from the feudal system advanced along with China’s growth. Consequently, despite the extinction of the feudal empire, the Grand Unification will keep going as long as China exists. Key Words：China、The Qin and Han Dynasties、Grand Unification、The Ming and Qing Dynasties、Taiwan