The “White Terror” refers to the Kuomintang’s (KMT) suppression of political dissidents and communism, which occurred in Taiwan from the late 1940s through the early 1990s. Some say the “White Terror” began as early as 1927, when it spread through cities in China.
The “White Terror” is often connected to the 228 Incident, which was an anti-government uprising that occurred on Feb. 27, 1947. The uprising was violently suppressed by the Kuomintang government on Feb. 28 but the White Terror was not limited to events following that incident. A major crackdown on the opponents of the ruling Kuomintang (both perceived and real opponents), lasted well beyond the 228 Incident, and some estimate that more than 140,000 people were caught up in the “White Terror.” It is thought that as many as 3,000 and 4,000 people were executed and many others were imprisoned.
The 228 Incident and the “White Terror” left a major divide between the people who were new arrivals from China in the mid-to-late 1940s and those whose families had lived in Taiwan for generations. Estimates put the total number of deaths among both groups of people at as high as 10,000.
The White Terror period ended in May 1992 following the abolishment of the Act for the Control and Punishment of Rebellion by the legislature.