Date of Graduation

Fall 12-16-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS)

College/School

College of Arts and Sciences

Department/Program

International Studies

First Advisor

Genevieve Leung

Abstract

In 1971, Taiwan lost its seat in the United Nations and has been vying for international validation ever since. The Kuomintang’s (KMT) loss and the development of Taiwan’s democracy has left millions with varying opinions pertaining to the status of Taiwan. It also brings up the importance of what it means to be Taiwanese and how Taiwanese people identify and distinguish themselves from China. For much of the Republic of China’s (ROC) existence in Taiwan the independence movement for the de facto nation-state has lived outside of its borders, making achievements and enduring hardships for Taiwan and Taiwanese Americans throughout Taiwan’s continuous struggles to find its place in our globalizing world.

It brings into question the sense of Taiwanese identity in Taiwanese Americans, especially those raised outside of martial law and whose parents have lived in both the martial law era and post-martial law era. For young professionals and students of Taiwanese American descent, what do they vie for when retaining intergenerational beliefs on language and independence, their attachments and thoughts about the island, their transnationality, and the commonalities and differences that Taiwanese Americans and Taiwanese inhabitants have? This thesis aims to contribute to discourse on Asian Americans, specifically addressing Taiwanese Americans, their identity in America and in Taiwan, issues pertaining to Cross-Strait relationships, its effect on Taiwanese Americans, and to help understand the importance of Taiwanese people in America. Taiwanese Americans point out several historical, ethnolinguistic, and political differences when talking about their identity and relationship with Taiwan.

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