Taiwan: A People's History

Tragedy Continued (1x7)

:

In 1945, Japan declared its unconditional surrender, and the Nationalist government took over Taiwan. Initially, the Taiwanese people welcomed the situation with eager anticipation. However, the Nationalist takeover led to the expansion of public enterprises, which surpassed the monopoly of the Japanese colonial era. This, coupled with rampant corruption and the leadership of experts by laymen, led to poor management and uncontrolled inflation. The economy collapsed, and people's livelihoods deteriorated. Banditry and theft abounded, public security deteriorated, and violence permeated every corner. The gap and friction between mainland Chinese and Taiwanese residents deepened, and public support steadily eroded. A clash over opium led to the February 28 Incident, a major tragedy in Taiwanese history and profoundly impacting the subsequent political trajectory of the island.