A Study On Policies Of Governing Taiwan During The Reigns Of Kangxi, Yongzheng And Qianlong Of The Qing Dynasty

The period of Kangxi,Yongzheng and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty is very important in the developmental history of Taiwan. It is not only because of the long period of time----113 years which is over half of the period when Taiwan was under the rule of Qing Dynasty, but also because that the policies of governing Taiwan during this period became its epitome in the early Qing Dynasty. These policies were inherited by the reigns after Qianlong, and they pointed out the direction of governing Taiwan.Generally speaking, the historical circle gives a positive evaluation on Kangxi's contribution to the struggle for uniting Taiwan into China. However, the policies governing Taiwan in the Qing Dynasty are more or less questioned which can be proved by a saying"negative governing policy". But this idea should have a further discussion. This paper will discuss the policies governing Taiwan against the special historical background of Taiwan during the period of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong. What's more, it will propose a new alternative account which discusses how the policies came into being and how the factors influenced the policies'establishment and adjustment under the framework of the Qing Empire. I hope to give a more comprehensive and objective estimation on the policies governing Taiwan during the period of Kangxi,Yongzheng and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty.When the General Shilang captured Taiwan in 1683, the discussion about abandoning or reserving Taiwan appeared in the court. As the decision-maker, Emperor Kangxi decided to reserve it after thinking about the national situation, the status of Taiwan, the finance, and the experience of border management. On the basis of preventing and supporting conceptions, the government established the administrative institutions, constructed bureaucracy and arm system in order to strengthen political domination. On the civilian policies, the government practiced strict immigration policy and economic leniency measures. At the same time, it attached importance to cultural construction. Besides Confucianism, it implemented encouraging policy on culture and education in Taiwan. All these measures advanced the civilization and influenced the social development and ethnic amalgamation.As far as the policies'establishment is concerned, it can be divided into three stages, namely the draft, the development and the consolidation. The policies were not irrevocable but changed along with the dominators'cognition of Taiwan, the effect of politicians who governed Taiwan and movements of the folk. In a word, the policies governing Taiwan during the period of Kangxi,Yongzheng and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty have both negative and positive aspects. It can be concluded that it is success and failure half-and-half.