The Historical Rectification in Postwar Taiwan (1945-1947)
Resource
臺大歷史學報, 58, 195-248
Journal
臺大歷史學報
Journal Issue
58
Pages
195-248
Date Issued
2016-12
Date
2016-12
Author(s)
Abstract
This article illustrates the historical rectification carried out in early postwar Taiwan. After a short period of emotional revenge conduct, the Taiwanese turned around to criticize the collaborators and re-evaluate the different routes taken in the anti-Japanese movement. They also tried to preserve the language, culture and historical materials to establish cultural subjectivity. These efforts signified that the Taiwanese had started to examine their colonial experiences during the Japanese period, and wished to achieve "decolonization".
The National Government also promoted the task of historical rectification. They encouraged the Taiwanese to reconstruct their anti-Japanese history, and provided assistance for memorial activities. "Anti-Japanese," or "anti-colonial," became a common goal of the Taiwanese people and the ruling authority, which created a brief overlap in the initial period of KMT rule.
However, the liquidation actions of the National Government based on historical memory emphasizing Chinese nationalism and Party-state operations, appealed to "de-enslavement," "Chinesization," and "identification based on the KMT". The officials investigated the members of Kominhokokai (皇民奉公會), took away their political rights, and caused horror atmosphere. Relations between the officials and the public became increasingly antagonistic in 1946, which interrupted the historical rectification task in civil society and delayed the formation of normal public discourse.
Subjects
歷史清算
漢奸審判
戰犯
奴化
中國化
Historical rectification
Traitor judgment
War criminal
enslavement
Chinesization
SDGs
Type
journal article
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