Confrontation over Taiwan: Nineteenth-Century China and the Powers

by Leonard H. D. Gordon

Overview

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 tod

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739118689
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	10/23/2007
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	6.35(w) x 9.43(h) x 1.18(d)

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

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

Editorial Reviews

At last, an exciting narrative explaining how and why the Great Powers' leaders and elites in the nineteenth century agitated to claim sovereignty over Taiwan. Although China was able to resist successfully the English, French, and American grabs for Taiwan's minerals and markets, in 1895 a predatory Japan forced China to surrender the island. In describing the struggles among the powers for sovereignty over Taiwan, Leonard H. D. Gordon presents a powerful new argument, based on archival information, as to why China has so persistently striven to claim Taiwan, even into the twenty-first century! A work of immense importance for understanding contemporary relations between Taiwan and mainland China.--Ramon Myers, Hoover Institution, Stanford University

Overall, Gordon's broad and detailed account of the basic diplomatic events of the nineteenth century offers a valuable introduction to the diplomatic situation along coastal China in the turbulent area.... This informative book makes a useful reference companion.--New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies

Well grounded in historical facts, this work provides a useful reference to the study of East Asian international relations in the 19th century. Highly recommended. All levels/libraries--CHOICE, Aug. 2008

From the Publisher

Well grounded in historical facts, this work provides a useful reference to the study of East Asian international relations in the 19th century. Highly recommended. All levels/librariesssss

Aug. 2008 CHOICE

Overall, Gordon's broad and detailed account of the basic diplomatic events of the nineteenth century offers a valuable introduction to the diplomatic situation along coastal China in the turbulent area…. This informative book makes a useful reference companion.

New Zealand Journal Of Asian Studies

Overall, Gordon's broad and detailed account of the basic diplomatic events of the nineteenth century offers a valuable introduction to the diplomatic situation along coastal China in the turbulent area…. This informative book makes a useful reference companion.

New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies

At last, an exciting narrative explaining how and why the Great Powers' leaders and elites in the nineteenth century agitated to claim sovereignty over Taiwan. Although China was able to resist successfully the English, French, and American grabs for Taiwan's minerals and markets, in 1895 a predatory Japan forced China to surrender the island. In describing the struggles among the powers for sovereignty over Taiwan, Leonard H. D. Gordon presents a powerful new argument, based on archival information, as to why China has so persistently striven to claim Taiwan, even into the twenty-first century! A work of immense importance for understanding contemporary relations between Taiwan and mainland China.

Ramon Myers

Well grounded in historical facts, this work provides a useful reference to the study of East Asian international relations in the 19th century. Highly recommended. All levels/libraries

Choice

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