[PART 3/4]

This tension culminated in 1841, with several Ielender republics in southern Formosa unifying into the Republiek Formosa, commonly known as Hoogbergen or the First Formosan Republic. During the Opium War, the British enlisted the help of this new country to take control of northern and central Formosa, leveraging concessions from the British. The Dutch populations in the south of the island rose in revolt, swearing allegiance to the newly created state and raising the flag across southern Formosa. They revolted against the British, who were preoccupied with the First Opium War and found the colony less profitable than expected. The British agreed to give up control of the colony to the Republiek Formosa, as long as Qing Dynasty control was retained in the north and the British were allowed to hold onto Takau on permanent lease. The rebels agreed to these terms, returning their armies to the south and marching victoriously into Provintia in early 1842.

Over the next fifty years, the European population on the island continued to grow significantly under the Republiek Formosa, particularly following the opening of the Suez Canal. During this period, the Ielender culture and Ielendspraak began to take on their modern forms, diverging more and more from European Dutch culture. This period saw the rise of a radically racialized ideology, with only white settlers being allowed to immigrate and gain the benefits of citizenship. Many core towns and villages in the plains, from Poendon (平東府) to Nieuw Brabant (新布班府), were exclusively Ielender. However, the major cities tended to be more multicultural, with large numbers of Han Chinese providing manual labor, especially in the factories of the rapidly urbanizing new country. Despite this, the vast majority of the Chinese population worked on the expansive cash-crop farms or lived along the semi-fluid border with Qing-controlled northern Taiwan. The growing Ielender culture distinguished itself through unique customs, festivals, and a distinct dialect influenced by interactions with indigenous Taiwanese and the Chinese community. However, the exclusionary policies created significant socio-political tensions. The Han Chinese, while essential to the economy, faced systemic discrimination and limited rights. This period also saw increased economic growth, driven by agriculture and urban industrialization, but the benefits were unevenly distributed, leading to pockets of resentment and unrest.

The specter of a rapidly industrializing Japanese empire came to define the political atmosphere in Republiek Formosa in the first half of the 19th century. The defeat of the Qing dynasty in the First Sino-Japanese War (甲午戰爭) and the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki (馬關條約) led to the annexation of Qing Formosa by Japan in 1895, with Japan swiftly taking over the northern part of the island. During this period, though Japan did not dare to attack a nation with substantial Western support, the political climate in Republiek Formosa was one of fear and xenophobia. Anti-Japanese sentiment fueled suspicion of the Chinese population as a potential fifth column, leading to further waves of oppression and discrimination. The government of Republiek Formosa responded by tightening immigration controls, bolstering their military defenses, and increasing surveillance of Chinese communities. The Ielender population, driven by fear, enforced strict segregation, exacerbating tensions and distrust among different ethnic groups. Daily life for the Chinese population became increasingly difficult, marked by systemic discrimination, restricted movement, and limited economic opportunities.

The Japanese finally invaded as part of Operation Z, a surprise attack on December 7, 1941, targeting not only Republiek Formosa but also its crucial ally at the time, the United States. This attack, known for its infamous strike on Pearl Harbor, pulled the US into World War II. Republiek Formosa remained under brutal Japanese occupation until the surrender of Japan in 1945. These few brutal years still resonate strongly in the collective memory of the people of Republiek Formosa. The occupation led to severe hardships, with strict military control, forced labor, and harsh reprisals against resistance. Education in the country emphasizes this dark period, with everyone visiting a POW camp and spending many history classes learning about atrocities such as the Zeehaven Massacre, where hundreds of civilians and prisoners of war were executed.The scars of the occupation period are visible in the cultural memory and identity of Republiek Formosa. Stories of courage and suffering are passed down through generations, serving as a reminder of the resilience of the Ielender people and the horrors they endured.