It’s an interesting story, oftentimes bloody, as to how China’s greatest art treasures ended up in Taipei.
The first chapter is simple. For centuries, China was a a land of dynasties. The latest, and last, was the Great Qing that ruled from 1636-1912. Politics aside, the Qing were greedy folk and hoarded the art of the people, some dating back to 6,000 B.C.E.
In 1894, the Qing got into it with Japan and lost, handing over Taiwan as a condition of the peace agreement.
In 1899, a secret society called the “Harmonious Fist”, aka the “Boxers”, began slaughtering foreigners. The Boxers had the support of Empress Cixi,
resulting in eight European countries sending troops to quell the “Boxer Rebellion”.
The Empress ended up on the losing end and the sanctions imposed permanently weakened the Qing.
In 1911, Western educated Dr. Sun Yat-Sen
led what became known as the “Wuchang Uprising”. As a result, 15 provinces declared independence from the Qing. A year later Dr. Sun took control and the “Republic of China” was born.
In 1921, the “Community Party of China” was formed in response to its dissatisfaction with the government’s response to the Treaty of Versailles.
In 1927, the leader of the “Nationalist Party”, Chiang Kai-shek
ordered the deaths of millions of Communists. Out of the massacre, the “Communist Red Army” was born.
In 1928, Chiang took over for Dr. Sun, unifying China by seizing vast areas under the control of Chinese warlords.
In 1931, the Red Army go into it with Chiang and the Nationalist party and a Civil War ensued. Taking advantage of the situation, Japan invaded Manchuria, capturing Shanghai and Nanjing in 1937.
For the next 8 years, China and Japan were in a stalemate until the end of World War II and Japan’s defeat. As part of the larger resolution, China got Taiwan got back. (Remember, the Qing had to give up Taiwan when it lost to Japan in 1894.)
After the War, Chinese soldiers and Taiwanese citizens couldn’t get along, resulting in violence and Chiang sending in more government troops.
In 1949, the Community Party finally got the upper hand on Chiang and the government and declared the “People’s Republic of China”. Two months later, Chiang fled to Taiwan with two million soldiers, set up a provisional government, and asserted that he was the leader of the only legitimate ruling body of China.
And all that art
Dr. Sun recovered from the Qing in 1912? Chiang took it with with him.
So know you know why the “National Museum”
is in Taipei and not Beijing.
By the way, on the mainland, Community party chairman Mao Zedong,
became the leader of the People’s Republic of China.
Anyway, Pa and I got a glimpse of all that treasure. It’s quite something.
As usual, our tastes differed.
I preferred the paintings,
and Pa the stuff that could be touched
held,
and was really old.
Someday, if you have an interest in China’s history, and its art of nearly 8,000 years, visit Taipei - the people are really nice and the food fantastic.
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