From 1895-1945: (Japan's Territory) Taiwan was part of Japan's territory from 1895-1945. After Japan surrendered to General MacArthur who authorized Chiang Kai-Shek to send the military units to govern Taiwan from the Japanese government. But until "Treaty of San Francisco/Treaty of Peace with Japan" signed (8 September, 1951) by the United Nations, Taiwan's International Status still not been solved. The main reason for the is because of the "Chinese Civil War (1927-1950)" between Chang-Kai Shel (ROC/Republic Of China) and Mao Zedong (PRC/People's Republic China) and 7.5 million Chinese were killed during the civil war.
From 1945-1987: (Chinese militarily government ) Following the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the ROC government retreated from the mainland as the Communists proclaimed the establishment of the People's Republic of China. The KMT retreated to Taiwan and declared Taipei the temporary capital of the ROC. For many years, the ROC and PRC each continued to claim in the diplomatic arena to be the sole legitimate government of "China". In 1971, the United Nations expelled the ROC and replaced it with the PRC. In 1987, martial law was lifted by then President Chiang Jing-Kuo.
From 1987-present: (Democratization to a very democratic nation is Asia ) After martial law was lifted in 1987, Taiwan began the democratization process beginning the abolition of the Temporary Provisions and culminating with the first direct president election in 1996. By 2000, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) came to power and began to pursue Taiwanese independence and identity but efforts to do so are blocked by the PRC.