https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/a3946698-65da-4fe9-b9a9-98c41c2f6617 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddem5RlB3bQe99wyY49g0g/join Help us preserve, scan and post more rare and endangered films! Join us on Patreon. Visit https://www.patreon.com/PeriscopeFilm Visit our website www.PeriscopeFilm.com Dating to 1952 and prior to the First Taiwan Strait Crisis, "Formosa" was created by the U.S. Department of Defense as an orientation film for U.S. personnel. The film provides a overview of Taiwan (also known as Formosa), covers the island's geography, and its 20th Century history which included rule under the Japanese, return to Chinese control after WWII, the withdrawal of the Nationalist government to the island after the Chinese Civil War, and "present day" situation as a nation living under threat by the newly ascendent Communist government of China. 0:17: Taiwan, an island slightly larger than Maryland, is located 6,000 miles west of the United States and within 100 miles of China's southeast coast. 0:26: Taiwan's Chinese name means "Bay of Terraces," but it is also known by its Portuguese name, Formosa, meaning "beautiful island." 0:35: Portuguese explorers named it Formosa 350 years ago. The Portuguese, Dutch, and Spaniards found ancient headhunting tribes and a primitive agricultural civilization. In the late 17th century, Europeans were forced out, and natives were driven into the mountains by Chinese immigrants. 1:07: Formosa became part of the Chinese Empire for over 200 years, reflecting mainland Chinese civilization. Many Formosan Chinese farmers follow Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, speak a Chinese dialect and respect family, elders, and traditional roles for women. 1:49: After a war with China in 1895, Japan took possession of Formosa. 2:01: Japanese rule transformed Formosa into a valuable colony with a high standard of living. 2:23: New hydroelectric power and increased agricultural production were introduced. New industries created commerce and wealth. 2:45: Formosa's mountains provided coal, copper, and gold. Crude oil was imported and refined for export. 3:06: Sugar cane and rice became vital crops for Japan.Transportation and communication systems were built under Japanese rule. 3:49: Taipei, the capital, grew to over half a million people. 4:00 : Japanese rule imposed modern Western customs. 4:22: After WWII, Formosa was returned to Chinese control. 4:35: Post-war China was torn by revolution, and the nationalist government fled to Formosa. 5:03: The Chinese government used Formosa's resources to regain strength. 5:20: Their ultimate aim was to return to the mainland. 5:27: They received information about communist China from guerrillas. 5:39: Rice was dropped on the mainland to relieve famines. 5:57: Since 1945, the UN and the US have provided aid to rebuild Formosa. 6:22: The island restored and increased its electric power. 6:30: Industrial equipment was rebuilt and increased. Chemical fertilizer began to be manufactured. 6:47: The Joint Commission on Rural Reconstruction, supported by the US, helped improve agriculture. 7:08: Nearly 400 rural health centers were established. Health measures were extended to livestock. 7:57: The Joint Commission helped improve rice and sugar cane production. 8:10: New agricultural techniques were shared with farmers. 8:22: Farmers received advice and shared their problems with the Joint Commission. 8:39: The aid was meant to help Formosans help themselves. New courts allowed farmers to benefit from land rent reform. 9:01: Rent inspection teams helped farmers get fair contracts. 9:20 : New laws limited landlords to taking no more than 38% of crops as rent. 9:31: Farmers could look forward to owning their land debt-free. Post-war government reform began. 10:02: Formosans started electing local officials through secret ballots. 10:25: They began experiencing self-government. The provincial government became more democratic. 11:01: Formosa was detached from the Japanese Empire in 1945 and administered as a Chinese province. 11:17: The US ordered the Seventh Fleet to patrol Formosa's waters during the Korean War. 11:28 : US military assistance helped defend Formosa from communist invasion. 11:54 : American advisers assisted the Chinese Navy and Army. 12:23: U.S. Navy Martin PBM Mariner amphibian aircraft flying the Formosan patrol. 12:39 Formosans faced the future with anxiety but also hope. They received help to resist communism and improve their lives. Their progress depended on their own efforts and the support of free people worldwide. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeVk7FYlSuY Mirrored from Periscope Film (https://www.youtube.com/@PeriscopeFilm) Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:10:14 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://peertube.dngr.us https://peertube.dngr.us/lazy-static/avatars/41a6fee9-7f57-42d0-a5fc-5db4f1af2e31.png https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/a3946698-65da-4fe9-b9a9-98c41c2f6617 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://peertube.dngr.us/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.