Problem of Formosa

Archive Report

Dimensions of Conflict Over Formosa

The Formosa Controversy, simmering since the Chinese Communists drove the Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-shek from the China mainland more than five years ago, rose to crisis proportions in mid-January when Red forces stepped up air and artillery attacks against Nationalist-held offshore islands. Although sporadic harassment of the sort had been going on for several months, threats of the Peiping regime to “liberate” Formosa were assuming new force and substance. The United States, on record against any Red invasion of Formosa since the start of the Korean war, responded by reiterating its firm intention to oppose by force any Communist assault from the mainland.

Peiping's sharp rebuff of United Nations efforts to arrange a cease-fire added to the growing tension and ...

locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles