Kaohsiung Incident

Kaohsiung Incident. The Kaohsiung Incident was a pivotal event in the history of Taiwan, marked by a pro-democracy protest that took place on December 10, 1979, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. This incident was a significant challenge to the authoritarian rule of the Kuomintang (KMT) and its leader, Chiang Ching-kuo, and is often seen as a precursor to the Taiwanese democracy movement. The incident involved key figures such as Shih Ming-teh, Annette Lu, and Chen Yu-han, who were influenced by the ideas of Sun Yat-sen and the May Fourth Movement.

● Introduction

The Kaohsiung Incident was a culmination of growing discontent among the Taiwanese population, who were seeking greater freedoms and an end to the Martial law in Taiwan. The incident was sparked by the arrest of Formosa Magazine editor, Yao Chia-wen, and the subsequent crackdown on the Tangwai movement, a loose coalition of opposition groups and individuals, including Huang Hsin-chieh and Chang Chun-hung. The Tangwai movement drew inspiration from the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and the Prague Spring, and its members, such as Lin Yi-hsiung and Chen Shui-bian, were influenced by the works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the French Revolution. The Kaohsiung Incident marked a turning point in the struggle for democracy in Taiwan, with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) emerging as a major force in Taiwanese politics, alongside figures like Lee Teng-hui and Chiang Kai-shek.

● Background

The background to the Kaohsiung Incident was one of growing tension between the KMT government and the opposition movement, which was inspired by the Czechoslovakian dissident movement and the Solidarity movement in Poland. The KMT, which had ruled Taiwan since 1949, was facing increasing criticism for its authoritarian policies, including the White Terror, and its suppression of dissent, as seen in the 228 Incident. The opposition movement, which included figures such as Peng Ming-min and Wang Tuoh, was seeking to promote democracy and human rights, drawing on the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi and the American Civil Rights Movement. The Kaohsiung Incident was also influenced by international events, such as the Iranian Revolution and the Sino-Vietnamese War, which highlighted the need for democratic reforms in Taiwan, as advocated by Jimmy Carter and the United States Congress.

● The Incident

The Kaohsiung Incident began on December 10, 1979, with a protest rally organized by the Tangwai movement, which was attended by thousands of people, including Wu'erkaixi and Chai Ling. The rally, which was intended to be a peaceful demonstration, turned violent when police and security forces intervened, leading to clashes between protesters and the authorities, reminiscent of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. The incident resulted in the arrest of many opposition leaders, including Shih Ming-teh and Annette Lu, who were later put on trial, in a proceeding that drew comparisons to the Nuremberg trials and the Moscow trials. The Kaohsiung Incident was widely condemned by the international community, including the United Nations and the European Union, with leaders like Helmut Schmidt and Valéry Giscard d'Estaing calling for democratic reforms in Taiwan.

● Aftermath

The aftermath of the Kaohsiung Incident saw a significant crackdown on the opposition movement, with many leaders and activists arrested and imprisoned, in a manner similar to the Great Purge and the Cultural Revolution. The incident also marked a turning point in the relationship between Taiwan and the international community, with the United States and other countries increasingly critical of the KMT's human rights record, as highlighted by the Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch. The Kaohsiung Incident also had a profound impact on Taiwanese society, with many people becoming increasingly disillusioned with the KMT and seeking greater freedoms and democracy, as inspired by the Velvet Revolution and the Sing Revolution. The incident led to the emergence of new political figures, such as Ma Ying-jeou and Tsai Ing-wen, who would play a significant role in shaping Taiwan's future, alongside institutions like the National Taiwan University and the Academia Sinica.

● Impact

The Kaohsiung Incident had a significant impact on the development of democracy in Taiwan, with the incident marking a turning point in the struggle for freedom and human rights, as seen in the Arab Spring and the Ukrainian Revolution. The incident led to the establishment of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 1986, which would go on to become a major force in Taiwanese politics, alongside the Kuomintang and the New Party. The Kaohsiung Incident also inspired a new generation of Taiwanese activists and politicians, including Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian, who would play a significant role in shaping Taiwan's future, as influenced by the Taiwanese independence movement and the Sunflower Movement. The incident also had a profound impact on Taiwan's relationships with other countries, including the People's Republic of China and the United States, with leaders like Deng Xiaoping and Ronald Reagan seeking to navigate the complex web of Taiwanese politics.

● Investigation and Trials

The investigation and trials that followed the Kaohsiung Incident were widely criticized as being unfair and politically motivated, drawing comparisons to the Show trial and the Kangaroo court. The trials, which were held in 1980, resulted in the conviction of many opposition leaders, including Shih Ming-teh and Annette Lu, who were sentenced to lengthy prison terms, in a proceeding that was condemned by the International Commission of Jurists and the United Nations Human Rights Council. The trials were seen as an attempt by the KMT to suppress the opposition movement and maintain its grip on power, as criticized by the Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch. The Kaohsiung Incident and its aftermath remain an important part of Taiwan's history, with the incident continuing to be commemorated and studied by scholars and activists around the world, including those at the National Taiwan University and the Academia Sinica. Category:History of Taiwan