Exploring 17th Century Formosa: The Dutch Colonial Period (1624-1662)

Formosa (Taiwan), due to its unique geographical location, became a key contested area for Western maritime powers during the Age of Exploration. During the 38 years of Dutch East India Company (VOC) colonization in western Taiwan, it is evident that the primary focus was on economic interests, with the secondary goal being the assimilation of the indigenous population. A large number of Han Chinese from the Fujian Minnan region were brought in, initiating the process of sinicization in Taiwan. (1) on assimilation: The Dutch used military force to facilitate missionary work, implementing policies of religious indoctrination, encouraging intermarriage, suppressing "shamanistic" beliefs, and rebuilding the social order and morality of the indigenous people. (2) on sovereignty: The Dutch established vassal relationships, annual tribute system, and taxation policies to ensure that both indigenous and Han populations recognized the legitimacy of Dutch rule, while also communicating to foreign nations that they held sovereignty over the western region of Taiwan. (3) on reasons for losing Formosa: The loss of Formosa can be attributed to internal conflicts within the VOC and the shifting geopolitical and military dynamics caused by the Ming-Qing transition in China.