Taiwan's White Terror

The White Terror represents the darkest chapter in Taiwan's history and an unavoidable component in understanding modern Taiwanese political culture. From the declaration of martial law in 1949 until its lifting in 1987, Taiwan endured 38 years of authoritarian rule, during which society lived under the shadow of state violence.

During this period, tens of thousands were persecuted for their thoughts, speech, or political beliefs, countless families were torn apart, and the entire society was permeated with fear and silence. However, this painful history also nurtured the Taiwanese people's profound yearning for freedom and democracy, ultimately driving Taiwan's democratization process.

The White Terror is not merely political history—it is human history. It tested people's moral choices under totalitarian rule, witnessed the resilience and courage of victims' families, and recorded how a society healed and rebuilt from trauma. Today's democratic Taiwan is built upon reflection and remembrance of this history.

Historical Background and the Establishment of Martial Law

The Chinese Civil War and Government Relocation

Historical Context:
In 1945, Japan surrendered and the Republic of China government took over Taiwan. However, just four years later, with the Chinese Civil War turning against the Kuomintang (KMT), the ROC government was forced to relocate to Taiwan. The february-28-incident-and-white-terror-taiwan-authoritarian-rule-trauma-and-memory had already laid the groundwork for the subsequent White Terror.

Declaration of Martial Law:
On May 19, 1949, Taiwan Provincial Governor Chen Cheng declared martial law in Taiwan, ostensibly in response to the "wartime situation" and "communist rebellion." This measure, intended to be temporary, lasted for 38 years and 56 days, becoming the longest period of martial law in world history.

Legal Framework Construction:

• Martial Law: Restricted people's freedom of assembly, association, and speech
• Punishment of Rebellion Act: Expanded the definition and penalties for rebellion
• Detection of Spies Act: Granted intelligence agencies extensive powers of arrest
• Temporary Provisions during the Period of National Mobilization for Suppression of the Communist Rebellion: Suspended constitutional guarantees of basic human rights

Establishment of the Intelligence System

Multiple Intelligence Agencies:
Under martial law, a vast intelligence network was established:

• Taiwan Garrison Command: Military martial law enforcement agency
• Taiwan Provincial Security Command: Local security and thought control
• China Youth Corps: Surveillance of students and youth ideology
• Investigation Bureau: Political case investigation
• Military Intelligence Bureau: Military political surveillance

Surveillance Network:

• Neighborhood watch systems
• School and workplace informant networks
• Overseas Taiwanese surveillance
• Cultural censorship mechanisms

This system penetrated every level of society, creating an omnipresent surveillance network where any speech or action deemed "ideologically problematic" could lead to severe consequences.

Types and Methods of Political Persecution

Major Victim Groups

Leftists and Communist Party Members:
The primary targets of suppression in the early 1950s included:

• Underground Communist Party organization members
• Intellectuals who had participated in leftist movements
• Those sympathetic to socialist ideology

Taiwanese Elite under Provincial Tensions:
After the 228 Incident, many Taiwanese political and social elites continued to face surveillance and persecution:

• Those who participated in the 228 Incident and their families
• Taiwanese politicians
• Intellectuals with Taiwanese consciousness

Mainlander Liberals:

• Free China Magazine Case: Liberal intellectuals like Lei Chen
• China Democratic Party Formation Case: Politicians attempting to organize opposition parties
• Scholars and writers who criticized government policies

Religious Groups and Indigenous Peoples:

• Presbyterian Church members (especially after the 1970s)
• Indigenous rights advocates
• Buddhist, I-Kuan Tao, and other religious groups

Overseas Taiwanese and Students:

• Participants in overseas Taiwan independence movements
• Students abroad who criticized the government
• Overseas talent who refused to serve the government

Methods and Processes of Persecution

Arrest and Interrogation:

• Midnight arrests: Usually conducted in the early morning to maximize panic
• No family notification: Families often had no idea of whereabouts, only able to make private inquiries
• Extended detention: Detention periods ranging from months to years
• Torture for confession: Electric shock, water torture, fatigue interrogation

Trial Procedures:

• Military courts: Military agencies tried civilian cases
• Secret trials: Non-public trial proceedings
• Collective punishment: Implicating relatives and colleagues
• Heavy sentence intimidation: Frequent death sentences or life imprisonment

Execution and Imprisonment:

• Green Island New Life Correction Center: Thought reform concentration camp
• Green Island Reformatory Prison: Long-term imprisonment site for political prisoners
• Military prisons: Detention sites for military political prisoners
• Labor reform: Forced labor and ideological transformation

Notable Political Cases

Luku Incident (1952-1953):
The Garrison Command conducted large-scale arrests in the Luku mountain area near Taipei, arresting hundreds and claiming it was a Communist base. Many innocent villagers were implicated, and the entire village was nearly destroyed.

Free China Case (1960):
Lei Chen, publisher of Free China magazine, and others were arrested and sentenced for criticizing authoritarian rule, marking a major setback for liberal intellectuals.

Formosa Incident (1979):
Democratic movement leaders including shih-ming-te, Huang Hsin-chieh, and chen-chun-liang-design-poet were arrested for participating in Formosa magazine activities, becoming a crucial turning point in Taiwan's democracy movement.

Chen Wen-chen Incident (1981):
Scholar Chen Wen-chen, who had returned from studying in the US, was found dead on the National Taiwan University campus after being questioned, shocking Taiwanese communities worldwide.

Control of Literature and Culture

Literary Censorship System

Publication Censorship:
All publications had to undergo strict prior censorship:

Prohibited Content:

• Communist or socialist ideology
• Criticism of government policies or leaders
• Taiwan independence-related discourse
• Positive descriptions of mainland China
• Overly realistic social criticism

Censorship Mechanisms:

• Government Information Office book and magazine review: Prior censorship system
• Garrison Command publication inspection: Military martial law powers
• Ministry of Education textbook approval: Control of educational content
• Customs banned book lists: Control of imported publications

Banned Books and Cultural Restrictions

Massive Book Bans:
During the White Terror period, tens of thousands of books were banned, including:

Leftist Literature:

• Works by Chinese leftist writers like Lu Xun and Guo Moruo
• Soviet Russian literary works
• Marxist-Leninist related writings

Liberal Works:

• Political theories criticizing authoritarian systems
• Western democratic thought classics (partially)
• Human rights-related discourse

Taiwanese Local Literature:

• Works by Taiwanese writers from the Japanese colonial period (partially)
• Literary works describing the 228 Incident
• Local literature with Taiwanese consciousness

Historical and Academic Works:

• Historical works differing from official historiography
• Social science critical theory
• Taiwan history research (partially)

The Plight of Cultural Figures

Writers' Self-Censorship:
Many writers were forced to self-censor, avoiding sensitive topics in their works:

• Yang Kui: Repeatedly imprisoned for leftist thoughts
• Li Qiao: Local literature faced political pressure
• Huang Chun-ming: Works subjected to censorship and revision
• Chen Yingzhen: Arrested multiple times for political stance

Rise of Underground Literature:

• Hand-copied literary works circulated
• Overseas Taiwanese literary publications
• Critical works published under pseudonyms
• Use of metaphorical techniques

Division in Cultural Circles:

• Establishment of official writers' associations
• Ideological struggles in literary magazines
• Local literature debates
• Opposition between modernism and realism

Social Psychology and Collective Fear

Formation of a Culture of Fear

Fear in Daily Life:
The influence of the White Terror extended beyond direct victims, permeating the daily lives of entire society:

Cautious Speech:

• Afraid to discuss politics in public places
• Being careful about speech even within families
• Avoiding criticism of the government or leaders
• Even historical topics became taboo

Alienation in Interpersonal Relationships:

• Maintaining vigilance toward strangers
• Avoiding potentially sensitive gatherings
• Not discussing political positions among friends
• Superficial colleague relationships

Changes in Behavioral Patterns:

• Avoiding reading potentially problematic books
• Not participating in assemblies or demonstrations
• Self-censoring overseas correspondence
• Political considerations in career choices

Informant Culture and Social Division

Neighborhood Surveillance:
The martial law system encouraged people to monitor each other, distorting social relationships:

Informant Reward System:

• Rewards for reporting "communist spies"
• Meritorious service could lead to sentence reduction or pardons
• Political performance affected promotion
• Participation in reporting demonstrated loyalty

Destruction of Social Trust:

• Suspecting everyone around might be an informant
• Political divisions within families
• Suspicion among colleagues and friends
• Politicization of teacher-student relationships

Deepening Provincial Tensions:

• Mainlanders' wariness of Taiwanese
• Taiwanese resentment toward mainlanders
• Politicization of ethnic labels
• Opposition of historical memories

Family and Generational Trauma

Political Victim Families:
The "collective punishment" effect of one arrest affecting the entire family:

Economic Hardship:

• Loss of primary income source
• Relatives avoiding contact or assistance
• Limited employment opportunities
• Social discrimination and exclusion

Children's Education:

• Restricted educational opportunities
• Political screening affecting future prospects
• Intergenerational transmission of psychological trauma
• Identity confusion

Social Stigmatization:

• Labeled as "spy family members"
• Impact on marriage prospects
• Shrinking social circles
• Long-term psychological pressure

Resistance and Opposition

Underground Opposition Movements

Despite oppressive rule, civilian resistance never completely stopped:

Early Armed Resistance:

• Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League: Underground organization from the 1940s-1950s
• United Formosans for Independence: Overseas Taiwan independence movement organization
• Sporadic armed uprising attempts
• Guerrilla activities in mountainous areas

Intellectual Resistance:

• Critical discourse in Free China magazine
• Enlightenment movement of Wenxing magazine
• Student movements in university campuses
• Human rights advocacy by Christian churches

Cultural and Ideological Resistance:

• Local literature movement
• Rise of Taiwan history research
• Persistence in local language literature
• Protection of folk beliefs

Overseas Taiwanese Movement

Formation of the United Formosans for Independence:
In 1970, Peng Ming-min and others established the United Formosans for Independence overseas, becoming an important organization in the international Taiwan independence movement.

International Advocacy Activities:

• Exposing the truth about White Terror to international society
• Lobbying governments worldwide to pay attention to Taiwan's human rights
• Organizing protest demonstrations
• Publishing underground publications

Blacklist System:
The government established overseas Taiwanese blacklists, prohibiting "ideologically problematic" individuals from returning to Taiwan, including:

• Taiwan independence movement participants
• Scholars who criticized the government
• Prominent figures who refused to cooperate
• Family members were also implicated

Transitional Justice and Historical Reconciliation

Post-Democratization Reflection

Lifting Martial Law and Political Opening (Post-1987):
With Chiang Ching-kuo's announcement of martial law's end, Taiwan began confronting the historical legacy of the White Terror:

Rehabilitation of Political Prisoners:

• Overturning political case verdicts
• Restoring political prisoners' reputations
• Releasing still-imprisoned political prisoners
• Allowing blacklisted overseas individuals to return to Taiwan

Opening of Historical Materials:

• Declassification of political case files
• Collection of oral histories
• Liberalization of academic research
• Open media reporting

Victim Compensation and Memorialization

Establishment of Compensation Mechanisms:
In 1995, the "Compensation Act for Wrongful Trials on Charges of Sedition and Espionage during the Martial Law Period" was enacted:

Compensation Content:

• Financial compensation: Based on degree of victimization
• Reputation restoration: Public exoneration of wrongful convictions
• Care and assistance: Providing medical and living assistance
• Family care: Special care for spouses and children

Memorial Facilities:

• Green Island Human Rights Culture Park: Established at the original prison site
• Jing-Mei Human Rights Culture Park: Preserving original interrogation sites
• 228 National Memorial Museum: Dedicated exhibition of related history
• White Terror Jing-Mei Memorial Park: Educational and commemorative functions

Literary and Artistic Memorialization:

• Publication of political victim memoirs
• Creation of related literary works
• Production of documentaries and films
• Musical and theatrical works

Truth Investigation and Historical Education

Transitional Justice Commission (2018-2022):
The government established a dedicated agency for truth investigation:

Main Tasks:

• Opening political archives
• Removing authoritarian symbols
• Preserving authoritarian historical sites
• Promoting transitional justice education

Archive Collection and Research:

• Oral histories of political victims
• Organization of government classified files
• Collection of international archives
• Digital preservation and open access

Educational Promotion:

• Incorporating White Terror history into textbooks
• Promoting human rights education curricula
• Organizing related workshops and camps
• International human rights exchange activities

Historical Impact and Contemporary Significance

Impact on Taiwan's Democratic Development

Establishment of Democratic Values:
The painful experience of the White Terror instilled a deep yearning for freedom and democracy in Taiwanese society:

Popularization of Human Rights Concepts:

• Cherishing freedom of speech
• Valuing rights of political participation
• Demanding judicial independence
• Defending media freedom

Changes in Political Culture:

• Tolerating different political positions
• Achieving peaceful party alternation
• Active civil society
• Culture of government oversight

Institutional Safeguards:

• Strengthening constitutional human rights clauses
• Constitutional interpretation by Judicial Yuan justices
• Human rights protection by Control Yuan
• Establishment of National Human Rights Commission

Ethnic Reconciliation and Social Integration

Easing Provincial Tensions:
Through revelation of historical truth and dialogue, gradually resolving opposition between ethnic groups:

Construction of Shared Memory:

• Acknowledging historical complexity
• Understanding different groups' circumstances
• Building inclusive and diverse historical views
• Promoting inter-ethnic understanding

Intergenerational Dialogue:

• Transmission of older generation's experiences
• Younger generation's historical learning
• Historical dialogue within families
• Collective social healing

International Experience Borrowing and Contribution

Taiwan's Experience in Transitional Justice:
Taiwan's democratic transition and transitional justice practices provide important reference for other countries:

Model of Peaceful Transition:

• No large-scale bloodshed
• Achieving political compromise through negotiation
• Gradually building democratic institutions
• Maintaining social stability

Practice of Transitional Justice:

• Truth investigation and archive opening
• Victim compensation and rehabilitation
• Historical education and commemoration
• Institutional reform and prevention

International Exchange and Cooperation:

• Participating in international human rights organizations
• Sharing transitional experiences
• Supporting other democratizing countries
• Promoting international human rights development

Memory, Forgetting, and Transmission

Plurality of Historical Memory

Historical memory of the White Terror presents multiple facets in Taiwanese society:

Victim Memory:

• Painful personal experiences
• Trauma of family breakdown
• Anger at social injustice
• Persistence in seeking truth

Bystander Memory:

• Fear and powerlessness
• Moral dilemma struggles
• Self-protective silence
• Recreation of the era's atmosphere

Perpetrator Memory:

• Helplessness in following orders
• Ideological beliefs
• Later remorse and reflection
• Bearing historical responsibility

Challenges in Generational Transmission

Loss of Memory:
With the passage of time and generational change, memories of the White Terror face the danger of being lost:

Passing of Witnesses:

• Gradual passing of victims and witnesses
• Urgency of oral history rescue
• Preciousness of first-hand materials
• Challenges of memory transmission

Younger Generation's Alienation:

• Unfamiliarity with history
• Priority of practical life concerns
• Competition from media entertainment
• Limited effectiveness of education

Risk of Politicization:

• Political use of historical memory
• Interpretations by different political positions
• Controversies in historical education
• Division in social consensus

Continued Education and Reflection

Deepening Human Rights Education:

• Integrating historical lessons into daily education
• Cultivating critical thinking abilities
• Building human rights values
• Preventing historical repetition

Civil Society Participation:

• Active promotion by civil organizations
• Excavating community history
• Organizing cultural activities
• Promoting international exchanges

Maintaining Institutional Safeguards:

• Perfect implementation of archives law
• Strengthening functions of human rights institutions
• Realizing judicial justice
• Consolidating democratic institutions

The White Terror is the darkest page in Taiwan's history, but also the most important nourishment for Taiwan's democracy. This painful experience reminds us that freedom and democracy are hard-won and require the persistence and defense of every generation.

Through pursuing historical truth, compensating victims, and reflecting on the system of persecution, Taiwanese society is learning how to face a painful past and build a better future. This is not only accountability to the victims, but also a promise to the next generation—ensuring that Taiwan will never again have anyone persecuted by state violence for their thoughts, speech, or political beliefs.

The history of the White Terror tells us that democracy is not an inherent human right, but a precious asset that requires constant effort to maintain. Remembering this history is not for hatred, but to ensure such tragedies never happen again.

References

• National Human Rights Museum
• Transitional Justice Commission Archives
• Compensation Foundation for Improper Verdicts on Sedition and Espionage Cases during the Martial Law Period
• Taiwan 228 Care Association
• Academia Sinica Institute of Taiwan History
• Taiwan Historica
• Historical Materials of Taiwan's White Terror Period
• Hsueh, Hua-yuan et al., History of Human Rights in Postwar Taiwan