Confrontation over Taiwan

Taiwan was an international prize sought by British, American, French, and Japanese adventurers along the South China coast in the nineteenth century. The diplomacy of their governments and China forms a central focus of this study, which provides a framework for understanding the political and legal issues surrounding the China-Taiwan struggle today while filling a serious gap in Taiwanese history.

Leonard H. D. Gordon is professor emeritus of Chinese history at Purdue University. He was diplomatic historian for the Department of State between 1961 and 1963.

Chapter 1 Taiwan and the Early Western Arrivals Chapter 2 Americans and Britons in Taiwan at Mid-Century Chapter 3 British-American Alignment in "Open" Taiwan Chapter 4 Japan's Odyssey in Taiwan Chapter 5 Japan's Retreat from Colonialism in Taiwan Chapter 6 France Blockades Taiwan Chapter 7 China Cedes Taiwan to a Powerful Japan Chapter 8 Japan's Final Confrontation over Taiwan