Political conditions during 1950~1960

1. Political conditions during 1950~1960 • Outline： • Authoritarian rule and democratic image – a paradox • Rebuilding political authority • Maintaining the “Free China” image • “Free China” magazine • Proposing an oppositional party

2. The legitimacy of the ROC government • The Cold War • since 1950 , the international political system was generally divided into two camps: • The so called“liberal democratic group”led by the USA. • The so called“communist group”led by the USSR. map • The Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty singed in1954 ensured Taiwan’s inclusion in the East Asian anti-communist line, which also included Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

3. The signing of the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty also meant that the ROC’s legitimacy had been recognized by the Western democratic countries. • Under the American support, the ROC was regarded the “Free China”. • The ROC became an important player in the worldwide anti-communist strategy.

4. Authoritarian rule and democratic image – a paradox • With the support of Western democracies, and as the power had been gradually consolidated to the party, the KMT was able to initiate a top-down reform. • In order to maintain and enhance supports from the US government and public opinion, the KMT had to present a political system different from the CCP while rebuilding political authority and securing CKS ‘s sole leadership.

5. Rebuilding political authority • Methods for rebuilding political authority included: • An effective intelligence system: the National Security Bureau, which reported directly to the President, was founded to guide the Taiwan Garrison Command and Investigation Bureau. • The Martial Law enacted in May 1948 gave certain powers to the Taiwan Garrison Command, and put the freedom of speech, publication, lecturing and assembly under tight control and surveillance. • In early 1950s, many were arrested for suspected communist activities. Most people stayed away from politics to avoid unnecessary troubles.

6. Maintaining the “Free China” image • In the 1950s, the KMT had sponsored several liberal scholars for publishing the “ Free China Magazine” to distinguish KMT’s rule on Taiwan from the CCP’s on China. • In the meantime, however, the ROC government also tightened up restrictions on public speech and publication.

7. Maintaining the “Free China” image • Contrary to the KMT’s original intention, the scholars of the Free China Magazine not only criticized the Communists, but also criticized the KMT’s authoritarian rule and promoted democracy. • Inevitably, the Free China Magazine incurred crack down from the ruling authority.

8. Cracking down on anti-KMT figures • Wu San-lian left Taiwan after his business was intentionally boycotted. • Li Wan-chu’s newspaper was ceased from publishing. • Kao yu-chu, Mayor of Taipei city, was accused of corruption and theft. • Core figures of the Free China Magazine were arrested by the Taiwan Garrison Command and were brought to trial under military law.

9. Why did oppositional activities fail? 1. Anti-communism sentiment gave KMT the advantage. • In 1958, the CCP initiated the “823 Artillery Bombardment” against the islands of Matsu and Quemoy in the Taiwan Strait in an attempt to seize them from the Republic of China. • People were afraid of the possible war with the PRC and wanted stability. • This crisis actually gave KMT the reason to justify its authoritarian rule and reinforce its legitimacy.

11. Why did oppositional activities fail? 2. Domestic atmosphere was tense. • The intelligence system successfully kept most people away from politics. • Taiwan was still an agricultural society. Industrialization had just began. Most people just wanted good life, not democracy. • Lack of the middle class: The middle class, one of the major driving force for democratization in most countries, had yet to emerge in Taiwan.

12. Free World Communist World Non-alliance countries