臺灣何去何從？第二次世界大戰後的美國暗影

Taiwan in the Shadow of the United States: American Taiwan Policy, 1945-1954

1945年8月，日本宣布無條件投降後，美國並未依照開羅宣言等列強間的決議，將台灣交還中國，反而有許多美國政客認為：將台灣置於美國控制之下，更符合美國利益。實際上，二次大戰之後，美國立即派遣部隊先行抵達台灣，實施「佔領」。在台美國機構更是在台灣知識青年之間傳播許多西方政治理念，美國在台人員如副領事葛超智等人也與「二二八事件」有一定程度關聯。稍後，美國又計劃在台灣扶植其親信如吳國楨、孫立人等人。1949年，政府撤退來台，有效控制台灣，另一方面，韓戰爆發又改變東亞地區的政治生態。此時，美國才改變其計劃。願意支持中華民國政府，實際上，台灣仍處於分裂於中國的狀態，符合美國在東北亞的戰略規劃。

After Japan's unconditional surrender in August 1945, Taiwan was to be returned to China, in accordance with the Cairo Declaration and subsequent agreements among the Allied powers. However, quite a few Americans believed it would better serve U.S. interests if Taiwan were placed under American control, rather than following through with the Potsdam Declaration. As a result, American forces landed in Taiwan even before the Chinese army. American agencies in Taiwan promoted Western ideals of freedom among the newly liberated Taiwanese elites. It is also possible to draw a connection between the 1947 February 28 Incident (the 228 Incident) and the involvement of American Vice-Consul George Kerr and his associates.Later, the United States attempted to influence Taiwanese politics and military affairs by supporting Wu Guo-zhen (吳國禎) and Sun Li-ren (孫立人), both of whom had received higher education in the United States. Following the fall of mainland China, Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan with a substantial military force. The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 also significantly altered the political dynamics of Northeast Asia. The U.S. government was compelled to abandon its original plans and instead supported Chiang's regime. However, Taiwan remained de facto independent, which ultimately served American national interests.