Following the defeat of Qing Dynasty China in the First Sino-Japanese War, Taiwan was ceded to Japan under the Treaty of Shimonoseki. This sparked a wave of resistance among Taiwanese scholars and officials who opposed foreign rule. In response to these changes, local leaders, including Tang Jingsong, declared the establishment of the Republic of Formosa on May 25, 1895, aiming to create an independent government to represent the interests of the Taiwanese people. Tang Jingsong, a prominent educator and politician, was elected as president and sought to gain international support to sustain this new republic. He and his supporters implemented reforms and mobilized local militias in hopes of defending the island against Japanese annexation.

A significant aspect of the Republic was the effort to establish Taiwanese sovereignty and identity during a time of uncertainty. The capital was established in Tainan, where a provisional government was formed, and various reforms were initiated, including military preparations and attempts to broadcast their plight to the international community. However, the resolve of the Japanese government was firm, and within a few months, Japan launched military operations to suppress the nascent republic, ultimately leading to its collapse by the end of the year. Despite its brief existence, the Republic of Formosa symbolized a critical moment in Taiwanese resistance against colonization and contributed to the evolution of Taiwanese nationalism.

In the aftermath of the failed republic, many leaders and citizens remained involved in various movements advocating for Taiwanese rights and autonomy, setting a foundation for future political discourse in the region. Though Japan established colonial rule that lasted until the end of World War II, the aspirations for self-governance expressed during the republic would resonate throughout Taiwan's subsequent history and identity formation.