The Cold War: Taiwan--Taiwan-American Mutual Defense Treaty (1955)

Figure 1.--This is 9 year old Philip in 1957. His father was a U.S. Navy Captain stationed in Taiwan after the signing of the Taiwan-American Mutual Defense Treaty. He is with a Nationalist naval officer and his family.

The United States in addition to the Formosa Resolution also negotiated a formal mutual security pact with Taiwan. The text of the Treaty stresses the defensive nature of the agreement. The preable begins. "The Parties to this Treaty, Reaffirming their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all Governments, and desiring to strengthen the fabric of peace in the West Pacific Area," The Treaty was signed (Devember 1954). Senator William F. Knowland (Republican, California) played an important role in obtaining Senate confirmation (February 1955). The Treaty was a formal American commitment to defend Taiwan. The Treaty did not apply to the islands along the Chinese mainland. The Treaty authorized American military assistance to Taiwan. Substantial quantities of military equipment was provided Taiwan in addition to American combat forces. It was not only the 7th Fleet protecting Taiwan. Important Air Force Bases were also operned on the island The most important was Cha Shan Air Base, Hualien. American dependents accompanied Navy and Air Force personnel to Taiwan. The American commitment essentially made Mao's dream of completing his defeat of the Nationalists impossible. The Chinese in Korea had used massive bodies of troops to counter American fire power. It worked, albeit at enormous cost. Crossing the Taiwan Straits against American naval and air power was impossible.

Created: 6:02 AM 7/15/2010
Last updated: 6:02 AM 7/15/2010