Dutch colonial rule of Taiwan

Dutch colonial rule lasted in Taiwan from 1642 to 1662.

An overview of life in Taiwan under Dutch rule

At the time of Dutch settlement in Taiwan, the northern part of the island was still occupied by Spanish who had landed there in 1626. However, they showed no signs of expanding their settlement and in 1642 the Dutch drove them out. As Tu Cheng-sheng states, there were three main reasons for the Dutch colonisation of Taiwan: “to ensure the security of the Philippines, to protect trade with China, and to prevent the Japanese from occupying the island”.^[1] Taiwan was in a perfect place strategically to engage in trade within the region. The Chinese had refused to allow the Dutch to settle on the Chinese territory of Penghu, and suggested they settle on Taiwan instead. The subsequent settlement of the island was reflective of the strategic value of Taiwan. The settlement was systematic and planned,^[2] as the construction of the military stronghold of Castle Zeelandia demonstrated. The settlers were clearly aiming to protect their good position to engage in trade in the long-term, and to establish themselves as the administrators of Taiwan.

Dutch East India Company Merchant Ship

Administration of Taiwan

The Dutch approach towards the control and administration of Taiwan is best described as interventionist.^[3] They were the first settlers who seriously sought to develop the island.^[4] While the Dutch faced some initial opposition and hostility from indigenous tribes, they engaged in a number of expeditions to pacify them and eventually established peace that would last until their rule ended in 1662.^[5] Aboriginals were allowed to continue their lives relatively freely, but were required to make annual tribute to the Dutch in a manner similar to a feudal system.^[6] In addition, the Dutch introduced a number of taxes, including export duties, sales tax and hunting taxes. They also laid down laws governing every aspect of life, including the organisation of markets, production of alcohol, construction of houses and observation of Sunday services.^[7] The process of converting indigenous peoples to Christianity also helped to increase the literacy of aboriginals, as clergymen sent by the Dutch East India Company were involved in translating the Bible from Dutch into Romanized versions of indigenous languages. The clergy were also involved in setting up schools, as well as serving as interpreters and tax collectors, playing a key role in the administration of Taiwan by the Dutch. This was largely due to the fact that they were heavily involved with the aboriginal tribes, and understood their cultures and the various dialects.

The Dutch East India Co. occupies the southwestern region of Taiwan in 1623

Trade and development

The Dutch presence in Taiwan also brought with it scientific and technological advances. The Dutch introduced well-digging,^[8] as well as bringing both oxen and cattle to the island. In terms of the trade being engaged in, the settlers’ ultimate goal was to obtain the spices grown in Southeast Asia and sell them in Europe. To do this the Dutch exchanged Japanese and Chinese gold and silver for Indian cotton, which was then used to buy the spices. Those spices were eventually shipped back to Europe. Clearly, Taiwan’s geographically advantageous position at the centre of all this trade in the region gave the Dutch a great advantage in playing a part in all of this trade.^[9] However in 1662 the Dutch were overwhelmed by Koxinga’s Chinese forces, who had moved into Taiwan to drive them out. And so Dutch rule in Taiwan ended, and the island became an important base for Koxinga over the following twenty years in his struggle against the Qing rule in mainland China.

Conclusion

This settlement of Taiwan took place during the period in history when European settlement around the globe was commonplace. Such settlement was viewed as a legitimate way to expand the power and wealth of European nations, and as a good way for those nations to benefit financially from the newly discovered resources to be found throughout Asia. The Dutch settlement of Taiwan was reasonably peaceful, as stated above, and had a number of positive influences on its native people. Roy asserts, “All things considered, the aborigines probably had a better relationship with the Dutch than with the Chinese”.^[10] This chapter of Taiwan’s history, while brief, can be regarded as a successful one in terms of Taiwan’s overall development.

See also

Further imformation may be found at:

• Taiwan
• Dutch Formosa
• Spanish Formosa

References

1. ^ Tu Cheng-Sheng, (2003) Ilha Formosa: The Emergence of Taiwan on the World Scene in the 17th Century, Hwang Chao-sung, Taipei, 32
2. ^ Tu Cheng-Sheng, (2003) Ilha Formosa: The Emergence of Taiwan on the World Scene in the 17th Century, Hwang Chao-sung, Taipei, 30.
3. ^ Tu Cheng-Sheng, (2003) Ilha Formosa: The Emergence of Taiwan on the World Scene in the 17th Century, Hwang Chao-sung, Taipei, 31.
4. ^ Denny Roy, (2003) Taiwan: A Political History, Cornell University Press, New York, 15.
5. ^ Murray Rubinstein, (1999) A New History of Taiwan, M.E. Sharpe Inc, New York 63.
6. ^ Tu Cheng-Sheng, (2003) Ilha Formosa: The Emergence of Taiwan on the World Scene in the 17th Century, Hwang Chao-sung, Taipei, 31.
7. ^ Tu Cheng-Sheng, (2003) Ilha Formosa: The Emergence of Taiwan on the World Scene in the 17th Century, Hwang Chao-sung, Taipei, 31.
8. ^ Murray Rubinstein, (1999) A New History of Taiwan, M.E. Sharpe Inc, New York 66.
9. ^ Tu Cheng-Sheng, (2003) Ilha Formosa: The Emergence of Taiwan on the World Scene in the 17th Century, Hwang Chao-sung, Taipei, 48.
10. ^ Denny Roy, (2003) Taiwan: A Political History, Cornell University Press, New York, 16.