The establishment and fall of Thomas Liao's Provisional Government of the Republic of Formosa

• Main Authors: Chen, Ching Li, 陳慶立
• Other Authors: Chen, Wen Hsien
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/23091100834484427987

博士 === 國立政治大學 === 台灣史研究所 === 101 === This dissertation studies the Taiwan Independence Movement led by Thomas Liao in the post-World War II period. The purpose of the study is to understand how the movement was affected by the international relations, with a focus on the roles of the US and Japanese governments in the eventual collapse of the movement. The study draws on the diplomatic archives of Taiwan, US, and Japan, in addition to Thomas Liao’s own writings and other oral history documents. Taiwan Independence Movement was prompted by the 228 Incident of 1947. Thomas Liao established the Provincial Government of the Republic of Formosa which offered a formal political platform to consolidate international support for the self-determination of Taiwanese people. However, the Provisional Government failed to gather enough diplomatic support from foreign countries, especially US and Japan, to sustain the course. Neither could Liao solidify the members of his government to cope with the counter-movements by the Nationalist Government. Overwhelmed by the outside pressure and some family problems, in 1965 Liao deserted his Provisional Government and came to an unknown deal with the Taiwan authority. Despite the apparent failure that ended his 18-year campaign, the legacy of Thomas Liao has had a lasting effect on the course of Taiwan’s political development in later years.